Salem Witchcraft: Pictures That Will “Sweep” You

off Your Feet

Buildup to Disaster

• Salem, MA

• King Philip’s War, 1675: Many killed

• 1685: King James II revoked charter for colony

• MA required to eliminate voting restrictions for Quakers

• Black slaves increased in MA

The Villagers in Salem

• Wanted independent church from town

• Chose Samuel Parris, merchant, as new minister

• Demanded $$ for services; rigid in ways

• 1691- villagers stop paying salary

Disaster Strikes

• Feb. 1692 – Betty Paris and two friends became ill– Delirious– Fits– Dr. Griggs suggests girls “bewitched”

• 3 other girls claim affliction

Tormentors

Witch cake

• Sarah Good, poor woman

• Sarah Osbourn, elderly

woman

• Tituba, slave who told

them voodoo stories

Proceedings

• Osbourn/Good claim innocence

• Tituba confesses, admits:– Undiscovered witches in camp– Wanted to destroy community

Witch Hunt Rampage

• 19 men/women hanged, one man pressed

• 150 imprisoned, awaiting trial