Witches and Witch Hunters: The Salem Witch Trials

1. Witches and Witch Hunters: The Salem Witch Trials

2. Satan Unleashed… • April, 1692: Several young girls in the town of Salem begin accusing people of witchcraft • Many of the accusers included Abigail Williams and Betty Parris • Led by Reverend Samuel Parris, Reverend John Hale, and Thomas Putnam, several people are arrested and charged with withcraft

3. Law and Order • The Court of Oyer and Terminer (hear and decide) accepts spectral evidence: evidence based upon dreams and visions to convict • Convicted witches are almost always hanged (not burned at the stake) in America • 22 people would be hanged, and over 400 imprisoned, in Salem alone • Among those hanged were John Proctor and Rebecca Nurse

4. Legacy of the Trials • The accused families spent decades attempting to clear their names • The General Court formally apologized and reversed the convictions …in 1711. • The churches reversed their excommunications in 1712 • The state of Massachusetts formally cleared those accused of wrongdoing…300 years later • It is possible that many of the Founding Fathers studied the actions of the Court of Oyer and Terminer in determining their charges against King George III in the Declaration of Independence and in creating the Bill of Rights

5. The Crucible, 1953 • In 1953, playwright Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible, a play about the Salem Witch Trials • Intended to be an allegory for the “Red Scare” in 1950’s America where many prominent civilians were accused ofbeing communists

6. The Backstory • In the play… • John Proctor is 40 (not 60 like the real one) • Abigail is 18 (not 9 to 11 like the real one) • While we don’t know the cause of the actual trials… • …In the play, John had an affair and cheated on his wife Elizabeth with Abby! • When John tries to avoid Abby, she begins accusing people of witchcraft in order to kill Elizabeth!

7. Other Characters! • Reverend Samuel Parris: Abby’s uncle and the minister of Salem Village • Reverend John Hale: the lead investigator and witch hunter • Judge John Hathorne: A sadistic, evil judge who delights in sending people to their deaths

8. Other Characters! • Thomas and Ann Putnam: Town leaders; Ann is a broken soul and Thomas is an ambitious (mean) landowner • Rebecca Nurse and Martha Corey: Two of the noble women of Salem, accused to witchcraft • Francis Nurse and Giles Corey: Their husbands; Giles is comically ignorant of the larger world, but honorable

9. The Accusers • Aside from Abigail Williams… • Mercy Lewis: Abby’s best friend • Betty Parris: Abby’s younger cousin • Ann Putnam: Thomas and Ann’s only surviving child • Mary Warren: Regrets ever getting involved with Abby and is determined to tell the truth about what actually happened

10. Thomas Danforth • Danforth is the lead judge and the deputy-governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony • Completely loyal to his position and the law • A devoted theocrat…believing the state and the church are supreme • Concerned with doing what is best politically (not always with what is right) • Arguably the true villain of the play… • …he was portrayed by Mr. Staten!!!