Salem Witch Trials

1. Salem Witch Trials Evelyn Arias & Diego Rivera October 10, 1213 Period: 6

2. SOAPSTone • Subject: Salem Witch Trials • Occasion: An assignment to give information about the Salem Witch Trials • Audience: Students and teacher • Purpose: Give information about the subject • Speaker: Evelyn and Diego • Tone: Informative

3. What is the Salem Witch Trials about? • The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts, between February 1692 and May 1693.

4. Why were woman accused of practicing witch craft & was it males as well? • The sexuality of women was an issue involved during the witch persecutions. In an era when sex was viewed as sinful, women could not hide their obviously sexual natures: they became pregnant; they gave birth; they menstruated. Negative attitudes about sex were translated into negative attitudes about women, and reflected themselves strongly in witch trial procedures. • Men were accused as well and hanged.

5. What was the difference between the "afflicted" and the "accused"? • The "afflicted" were those supposedly "possessed" and "tormented"; it was they who accused or "cried out" the names of those who were supposedly possessing them.

6. How was the practice of witchcraft viewed in 17th century New England? • Under British law, the basis for Massachusetts Bay Colony legal structure in the 17th century, those who were accused of consorting with the devil were considered felons, having committed a crime against their government. The punishment for such a crime was hanging.

7. What caused the girls behavior? • Among the theories are adolescent hysteria and ergot poisoning; however, there is no definite answer.