Salem Flashcards
How many people were killed in the Salem trials
20
How many people were accused in the Salem trials
200
What policies did Andros pass that contributed to his unpopularity?
New taxes on import and export duties. Made landownership titles defunct meaning Puritan landowners had to pay to take back land ownership. Restriction on the number of town meetings.
What was the Glorious revolution?
The Deposition of James II and replacement by his daughter Mary II and her husband, William III of Orange,
What was the immediate consequence of the Glorious Revolution in Salem?
The colonists who felt resentment against James and his governors revolted against Andros.
Who led the rebels against Andros?
Cotton and Increase Mather
Who rules Massachusetts immediately after Andros?
It was governed by a council comprising of Andros’ former agents as well as former leaders of the colony and high profile Puritans.
What did King William enforce to prevent religious rule in Massachusetts?
Voting eligibility based on property ownership rather than religious denomination.
All officials to be appointed by the crown rather than elected.
Governor could block any laws passed by the council.
How may the accusers have been effected by Indian attacks?
They may have suffered trauma over loss of friends, neighbours or family.
What war coincided with the Salem Hunts?
The second Indian War which was a part of the wider 9 years war.
How did the Puritans view the Indians?
As Devil-worshippers who were doing everything they could to prevent the creation of a godly society.
Who were the Indians allied with?
The French and the Spanish
What was the population growth rate of the colony?
3% per year
What were the consequences of the navigation acts?
Goods imported to England and its territories had to be imported on English ships. All crews of English ships had to have half of their crew be English.
What did the restrictive acts placed on Massachusetts by Britain do?
Reduced the amount of money and resources that into Massachusetts because it was directed towards England. Farmers had to diversify crops as it was hard to export grain.
Under what system was Massachusetts generally governed?
As a theocracy.
What was the population of Salem town and Salem village?
Over 600
Describe Salem Village
A largely agricultural society made up of mainly staunch Puritans.
Describe Salem Town.
More open to the outside world and less reliant on agriculture.
Why did the town not break away from the village?
They were reliant on the agricultural produce of the village so resisted breaking apart.
Who were the main families of the town and village and what was their role within the hunts?
Village- Putnams who led many of the accusations.
Town- Porters who tried to end the witch craze.
What was Cotton Mather’s role in the hunts?
He was a convincing preacher when it came to witchcraft. He published a book in 1689 which acted as an inspiration and guide to those who carried out the trials?
What was the name of Cotton Mather’s book?
Memorable Providences relating to Witchcrafts and Possessions
Outline the Goodwin possessions.
A witchcraft case that happened in 1688. Mary Glover’s daughter swore at Martha Goodwin who suffered fits and witchcraft was blamed. Glover’s house was searched and dolls were found. Glover failed to recite the lord’s prayer and she was hanged.
What was the political context of Salem between 1689 and 1692?
There was a political vacuum. Increase Mather was is England negotiating a charter. Temporary governor (Broadstreet) had no real power. Governor Phips was appointed in 1692.
Why was Cotton Mather a respected member of society?
He graduated from Harvard aged 15. He was a church Pastor. He helped the rebellion against Andros. Published a witchcraft book. Was a third generation immigrant. Wrote over 400 books on Puritanism. He was born in America.
When were the first settlers in Salem?
1630
What were the consequences of the first Indian war?
1/10 of military aged men die. 50% of Massachussets towns were attacked. Constant fear of attack.
Who were the most influential family in Salem Village?
The Putnams.
What makes Tituba significant?
She was the first to denounce others. Was one of the first people named by the girls. Made the witch cake.
What may have been the motivations of the children?
Experiencing psychological trauma, Hallucinations, naivety and excitement, response to insecurities, traumatic childhood, poor economic conditions, Indian attacks.
What was the court of Oyer and Terminer?
Special court set up to try those accused of witchcraft in Salem.
What is spectral evidence?
Evidence based on testimony that claimed the accused or their spirit appeared in dreams and visions.
What are the four main factors of the decline of the trials?
Court of Oyer and Terminer disbanded. Strong authority and removal of power vacuum. Phips prevents the use of spectral evidence. Rise in scepticism
Why did Phips do little about the trials when he became governor?
He was too concerned about the native Americans who were supported by the French.
Why were the courts biased?
The judge could questions witnesses and pressure jurors. The defendants had to speak for themselves but the prosecution had lawyers.
What was John Hale’s role in the decline of the trials?
He was appalled by the girls writhing and what he saw as Medieval forms of proof.
What was Increase Mather’s role in the decline of the trials?
He was sceptical over the spectral evidence and stated that it was better that ‘ten witches go free than one innocent dies’.
When was the court of Oyer and Terminer disbanded and by who?
October 1692 by Governor Phips.
What new court was convened in January 1693 and what was the general mood surrounding this court?
Superior Court of Judicature spectral evidence was not accepted and the mood turned with most being acquitted.
Who led the revolt against governor Andros?
Cotton and Increase Mather.
How many witches were killed in Massachusetts before the Salem hunt?
27
Why were more women found guilty than men?
Due to the story of Adam and Eve, they felt women were more easily persuaded by the Devil.
What % of victims were men?
20%
Who were the first three witches and what is important about their social standing?
Tituba- Was a servant/slave to Samuel Parris and had been bought from Barbados
Sarah Good- Was homeless
Sarah Osborne- Lived with and unmarried Irishman openly
All three were social outcasts
What was a common trait of many of those accused?
They were more free thinking and wanted to break free of the restraints of Puritan society.
How many of those confessed were not killed?
50
Why were the trials biased?
Girls fits and spectral evidence was taken in court, gossip was used as evidence in court, one judge was suspicious and replaced with a prosecutor, the defence didn’t get proper lawyers.
What were Increase Mather’s views of the trials?
He was supportive of the trials themselves but was very critical of the use of spectral evidence.
What was the general pardon?
It was issued by governor Phips, officially excusing 8 people who had been condemned to die.
Who was Phips critical of and why?
William Staughton, he said that it was due to him that the witch craze developed so extensively, he had signed many people’s death warrants who had been cleared by Phips. This was possibly to alleviate blame from himself.
Name the key reasons why the hunt became widespread?
Salem was deeply Puritan, the Indian threat, the role of the girls, social divisions in Salem, role of individuals such as Cotton Mather, William Staughton’s acceptance of spectral evidence.
