The Trial of George Jacobs (kneeling at right), who was charged by Salem girls (left foreground) with practicing witchcraft. The court found Jacobs guilty and ordered him hanged on August 19, 1692.

How can we explain the Salem witch trials?

Importance of religion in Puritan New England

Belief in Calvinism → strict social order● community members

expected adherence to religious beliefs/social norms and restrictions

Religious Intolerance

Roger Williams ● Banished due to belief in separation of church and state;

belief in fair dealings with Native Americans ● Est. Providence (RI) to reflect those values

Anne Hutchinson ● Banished for challenging authority of ministers and

subordination of women ● Est. Portsmouth (RI)

The Salem Witch Trials 1692-3

● Belief that misfortunes were the work of the devil; his presence brought sinful behavior

● Mass hysteria led to the executions of 20 people, one of whom

was pressed to death

How can we explain this event?

Misfortune in Salem 1) Memory of King Philip’s War - great losses - prompted closer monitoring of English colonies (and revoked MA charter for a time) 2) Ongoing conflicts with Natives 3) Local political instability

4) Puritan beliefs weakening ● Halfway Covenant 1662 allowed for partial

church membership

● attempt to maintain church’s influence in the face of declining religious adherence

5) Patriarchal Society● Principal accusers were young unmarried

women ● May have been in part a response to

oppressive gender dynamics