Colonial America:  Salem Witch Trials

Time Period



             During this time period, the way of life was that of  Puritanism. 

         These black-frocked people of Salem were responsible for the Salem Witch 

         Trials. These people had different beliefs, like calling Christmas a 

         “sacrilege” and not celebrating it. The founders of this time came from 

         Universities of England and were very scholarly. They largely emphasize 

         the purity of the Bible, which may be where the name Puritans came from.

         The Puritans saw ceremonies as a trapping of the English Church. For these  

         people, studying and interpreting the Bible’s words was a way to purify 

         the Christian religion.  After escaping to Massachusetts, this gave these 

         people, who followed Calvinism, the opportunity to create a state of their 

         own. In migrating from Queen Mary’s persecution, they gained political 

         and religious freedom. 

             In Salem at this time, a witch was someone (usually a woman) who 

         uses supernatural powers, like magic or sorcery, to harm or control. It is 

         said that the witches get their power from association with the Devil or any 

         evil spirits, which is completely wrong in the Puritan way of life. Many 

         people in Salem were accused of sacrilege, heresy, violence and 

         destruction, and sexual misconduct. During these accusations, the accused 

         were forced to “confess” to witchery, usually by torture. The accused who 

         were found guilty were either hanged or burned. The hanging and burning 

         of 19 supposed “witches” in Salem, came to be known as the worst 

         outbreak in North America. 

             When many little girls fell mysteriously ill, the accusations of 

         witchcraft started what came to be known as the Salem Witch Trials. 

         Throughout this time, many man, woman, children and even domesticated 

         animals fell to inexplicable, incurable illnesses. Many doctors named these 

         illnesses to be the Devil’s work.  The first hanging, which was of the 

         accused Bridget Bishop, took place on June 10, 1698. The last of the 

         nineteen hangings took place on September 22, 1698.  By May, all of the 

         accused, who were imprisoned were released. This was said to be the end 

         of Salem Witch Trials. 






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