The Salem Witch Trials refer to a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. It is considered one of the most notorious cases of mass hysteria in American history. The events began when a group of young girls in Salem Village (now Danvers, Massachusetts) claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused several local women of witchcraft. The accusations quickly spread, resulting in the arrest and imprisonment of over 150 individuals, mostly women, throughout the surrounding villages. The trials were conducted in a court presided over by local magistrates, and the accused were subjected to intense questioning and physical examinations. The court relied heavily on spectral evidence, which meant that the girls' claims of seeing the accused witches' specters or apparitions were considered sufficient evidence of guilt.
What was life like in Puritan New England?
I had read about the witchcraft trials in college, but it was not until I read a book published in 1867 a two-volume, thousand-page study by Charles W. Though each reading activity provides questions for discussion for the readings, teachers may wish to spend a few minutes with students asking introductory questions to help distill what they have read.
The court relied heavily on spectral evidence, which meant that the girls' claims of seeing the accused witches' specters or apparitions were considered sufficient evidence of guilt. The trials resulted in the execution of twenty people, fourteen of whom were women, by hanging. Five others died in jail, and one man was pressed to death with stones for refusing to enter a plea.
Understanding the Salem Witch Trials
Engraving of a witchcraft trial at Salem Village. The central figure in this 1876 illustration of the courtroom is usually identified as Mary Walcott.
Salem, Massachusetts in 1691 was the home of a Puritan community with a strict moral code. In addition to the difficulties of farming in a harsh climate with rough terrain, Salem faced economic and political unrest. In this community, a group of girls accused an Indian slave named Tituba of witchcraft. Tituba confessed under pressure from court officials, and her confession ignited a hunt for witches that left 19 men and women hanged, one man pressed to death, and over 150 more people in prison awaiting a trial. In this lesson, students will explore the characteristics of the Puritan community in Salem, learn about the Salem Witchcraft Trials, and try to understand how and why this event occurred.
Guiding Questions
What was life like in Puritan New England?
What were the causes and effects of the Salem Witch Trials?
To what extent do the historic records show that the accused were innocent until proven guilty?
Learning Objectives
Describe cultural practices of the majority in Puritan New England.
Create a timeline of the events of the Salem Witch Trials.
Analyze multiple interpretations of the Salem Witch Trials.
Construct a position on whether the trials were justified.
Subjects & Topic:A More Perfect Union
History & Social Studies
Civics U.S. History Grade: 6-8Lesson Plan Details
BackgroundSalem, Massachusetts in the late 1600s faced a number of serious challenges to a peaceful social fabric. Salem was divided into a prosperous town and a farming village. The villagers, in turn, were split into factions that fiercely debated whether to seek ecclesiastical and political independence from the town. In 1689 the villagers won the right to establish their own church and chose the Reverend Samuel Parris, a former merchant, as their minister. His rigid ways and seemingly boundless demands for compensation increased the already present friction. Many villagers vowed to drive Parris out, and they stopped contributing to his salary in October 1691.
These local concerns only compounded the severe social stresses that had already been affecting New England for two decades. A 1675 conflict with the Indians known as King Philip's War had resulted in more deaths relative to the size of the population than any other war in American history. A decade later, in 1685, King James II's government revoked the Massachusetts charter. A new royally-appointed governor, Sir Edmund Andros, sought to unite New England, New York, and New Jersey into a single Dominion of New England. He tried to abolish elected colonial assemblies, restrict town meetings, and impose direct control over militia appointments, and permitted the first public celebration of Christmas in Massachusetts, a celebration of which Puritans strongly disapproved. After William III replaced James II as King of England in 1689, Andros's government was overthrown, but Massachusetts was required to eliminate religious qualifications for voting and to extend religious toleration to sects such as the Quakers. The late seventeenth century also saw a increase in the number of black slaves in New England, which further unsettled the existing social order.
In February 1692, Betty Parris, Reverend Parris's daughter, as well as her friends Abigail Williams and Ann Putnam, became ill with symptoms that doctors could not diagnose, including fits and delirium. Dr. Griggs, who attended to the "afflicted" girls, suggested that they might be bewitched. Mercy Lewis, Mary Walcott, and Mary Warren later claimed affliction as well.
Prodded by Parris and others, the girls named their tormentors: Sarah Good, a poor woman; Sarah Osbourn, an elderly woman; and Tituba, a slave who had told them stories involving Vudou beliefs. The women were tried for witchcraft - Good and Osbourn claimed innocence, and Tituba confessed. Tituba's detailed confession included a claim that there were several undiscovered witches who wanted to destroy the community. This caused a witch-hunting rampage: 19 men and women were hanged, one man was pressed to death, and over 150 more people were imprisoned, awaiting trial.
On September 22, 1692, the last eight alleged witches were hanged. On October 8, 1692, Governor Phipps ordered that spectral evidence (when someone claimed to witness a person's spirit in a separate location from that same person's physical body) could no longer be admitted in witchcraft trials. On October 29, 1692 Phipps prohibited further arrests and released many accused witches. The remaining alleged witches were pardoned by May 1693. The hangings of witches in 1692 were the last such hangings in America.
For more information, see the following EDSITEment-reviewed websites:
- Digital History: The Salem Witch Scare
- Witchcraft in Salem Village
- Overview
- Tituba Biography
NCSS. D1.1.6-8. Explain how a question represents key ideas in the field.
NCSS.D2.His.1.6-8. Analyze connections among events and developments in broader historical contexts.
NCSS.D2.His.2.6-8. Classify series of historical events and developments as examples of change and/or continuity.
NCSS.D2.His.3.6-8. Use questions generated about individuals and groups to analyze why they, and the developments they shaped, are seen as historically significant.
NCSS.D2.His.4.6-8. Analyze multiple factors that influenced the perspectives of people during different historical eras.
NCSS.D2.His.5.6-8. Explain how and why perspectives of people have changed over time.
Preparation- Review the lesson plan. Locate and bookmark suggested materials and other useful websites. Download and print out documents you will use and duplicate copies as necessary for student viewing.
- Students can access the primary source materials and some of the activity materials via the EDSITEment LaunchPad.
- Familiarize yourself with the Salem Witch Trials. For an overview, consult Digital History. For more detailed information, consult Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive.
- If you plan to have students create pictures, or if you want to use larger sized paper for your students' timelines, be sure to have those materials handy.
- Though each reading activity provides questions for discussion for the readings, teachers may wish to spend a few minutes with students asking introductory questions to help distill what they have read.
The hysteria eventually subsided when the governor of Massachusetts disbanded the court and restricted the use of spectral evidence. There have been numerous theories proposed to explain the causes of the Salem Witch Trials. Some historians suggest that the trials were a manifestation of deep-seated religious and social tensions in the Puritan community. Others argue that economic factors, such as land disputes and rivalries between factions, played a significant role in fueling the accusations. The Salem Witch Trials have had a lasting impact on American history and culture. They serve as a cautionary tale of the dangers of mass hysteria, the misuse of power, and the vulnerability of marginalized groups during times of fear and uncertainty. The events have been the subject of countless books, plays, movies, and other forms of media, highlighting the enduring fascination with this dark chapter in American history..
Reviews for "False Confessions and Coercion: The Controversial Methods of Investigation in the Salem Witch Trials"
1. Sarah - 2/5 Stars
I found "Play Salem Witch Trials" to be quite disappointing. The acting seemed forced and the dialogue felt incredibly dry. It was difficult to connect with any of the characters or feel any sort of emotional investment in the story. The pacing was also quite slow, making it hard to stay engaged throughout the performance. Overall, I would not recommend this play.
2. John - 1/5 Stars
I have to say that I was thoroughly unimpressed by "Play Salem Witch Trials". The production was lacking in many aspects - from the set design to the costumes. The actors did not appear to have a strong understanding of their characters, and as a result, the performance felt disjointed and disconnected. The play failed to capture the intensity and complexity of the historical event it was based on, and I was left feeling underwhelmed and unfulfilled.
3. Emily - 2/5 Stars
I had high hopes for "Play Salem Witch Trials" but, unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The writing felt shallow and the plot lacked depth. It seemed more like a superficial reenactment rather than a thought-provoking exploration of the Salem witch trials. The performances were lackluster, and I found myself questioning the casting choices. Overall, it was a forgettable experience that didn't leave a lasting impact.
4. Michael - 2/5 Stars
I found "Play Salem Witch Trials" to be quite tedious. The play dragged on, and I struggled to maintain interest. The characters felt one-dimensional, and the dialogue lacked nuance. Despite the potential for a gripping story, the execution fell flat. I wouldn't recommend this play to anyone looking for a captivating and engaging theatrical experience.
5. Jessica - 1/5 Stars
"Play Salem Witch Trials" was a major letdown for me. The acting was wooden and the delivery of lines felt forced and unnatural. The play failed to create any sense of suspense or tension, making it difficult to feel invested in the story. I was hoping for a thought-provoking and emotionally charged performance, but instead, I was met with a dull and uninspiring production. Save your time and money and skip this play.
Fear and Hysteria: The Psychology Behind the Salem Witch Trials