Salem Witch Trials

Dangers of Religious Extremism

Background

• Political Unrest during Colonial Times

• Economic upheaval

• Puritan belief in God and Devil

• Social Stress: Puritans believed woman should be subservient to men

Events Leading to Witch Trials

• Betty Paris, Abigail Williams, Ann Putnam, and Elizabeth Hubbard throw fits believed to be demonically inspired

• Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne and a slave named Tituba were accused of witchcraft

• Dozens more arrested based on forced acquisitions

Witch Trials

• The Court of Oyer and Terminer

• Spectral Evidence

• Many found guilty and hanged burned or buried alive

• Some released

Conclusion

• Thomas Maule, a Quaker, criticized the trials

• Petitions filed seeking revocation of the convictions

• Anne Putnam revokes her claim of being possessed

Salem Witch Trial Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3WmH2Hs4aw&feature=player_embedded