#8 New England's Trials

Argument of lecture #8 New England's Trials

The Salem Witch Hunt was an exceptional manifestation of common beliefs and fears, and

can help us understand Puritan intellectual, religious, social, and diplomatic history.

Puritans

A 17th-century group that fled from England to North America in search of religious freedom. A group of devout English Protestants who wanted to reform the Anglican Church (decentralize it and cleanse it of its hierarchy and ceremony)

Separatists

Left England altogether and form their own congregations (pilgrims) Majority of Plymouth and Massachusetts. Believed that England was done and worried god would enact violence on England.

City Upon a Hill

John Winthrop's "City Upon a Hill": a model for Christian people everywhere

Family in Massachusetts Bay Colony

•Emigrated in family units

•Less in-fighting, more social stability, more economic equality

•Family = most important social unit

•Puritan officials encouraged marriage

Handmaidens of the Lord

Wives, mothers, church members, mistresses. Women who fulfilled God's will by being subservient to men, raising children, and managing the household

Samuel Parris

A Puritan minister in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, started the panic of the Salem Witch Hunt in 1962. His daughter and niece started hysterical fits and sought to help them by 1. Praying , 2. To name their tormentors and named three different women. Panic spread and started to accused women of bewitching them.

Why were the Puritan New Englanders so obsessed with witches and the supernatural world?

Believed in an enchanted world: like most early modern Europeans and Native Americans, Puritans believed the supernatural realm could intrude upon daily life any time

i. kept close watch for any indication God approved or disapproved of them

ii. also looked outward - at others, transgressors - to explain their inflictions

Why were women targeted so heavily in the witch trials?

i. A good woman was wife, mother, and church member

ii. No place for non-conforming women: childless, unmarried, propertied, or non-compliant

Why did all of this happen when it did, in 1692?/ What three crises in New England facilitated the mass hysteria of the witch hunts/trials?

Political, Religious, and Military

Conclusion of the lecture

In the minds of 17th century Puritans, all 3 crises were identical to the threat of witches. The witch crisis of 1692 was no isolated event; it was the climax of a "devilish" assault upon the region.

Puritan Behavior

•Worked constantly

•Lived by a strict code of discipline

•Call for moral reform in English society

Puritan settlement

Compared to VA, i. More stable, satisfied society

ii. Property distributed more evenly

iii. A more even gender balance

What was the most fundamental hierarchical to the Puritans?

Marriage & patriarchy: most fundamental hierarchical relationships was husband over wife

How many women were accused of witchcraft?

78% of accused witches in New England were women; a fifth were men

i. Male witches: either guilty by association or gender non-conformists themselves

Why were the women mostly targeted?

•Those who could not procreate

•Those who were widowed

•those who had inherited or stood to inherit property

•Those who didn't show proper deference, especially towards powerful men