Salem witch trials - social, political and economic context

Massachusetts bay colony 1630 - 85 - POLITICAL context

One of the earliest voyages to N America was led by Governor John Winthrop +800 colonists.he took a royal charter claiming that the colony was property of the crown. Over 10,000 puritans emigrated to Massachusetts between 1630 and 1645.the colony became powerful, with a flourishing fishing and lumber trade in the 1640s and 50s. Because Massachusetts was dominated by puntans, they were resistant to Charles IL's attempts to establish the Church of England. The Massachusetts bay colony was a theocratic society.

Charles 11 and the Massachusetts bay colony

Charles II wanted to extend greater royal influence over the colonies, as it ward centralise the power of the royal court. Massachusetts was particularly resistant to this. Puritan resistance was so strong that despite Charles Il's attempts to revoke - the royal charter in both 1678 and 1681, it was not formally annuoled until 1684.

The governorship of sir Edmund Andros

Charles 11 died in 1685 and his brother, James il became king. James appointed sir Edmund andros as the Governor of all of the New England colonies, now becoming known as the dominion of New England. Andrés had high church tendencies and was unwilling to include puritans in his council-unpopular in the Puritan theocracy of New England.

Governor Edmund Andros policies contributing to unpopularity

• Attempted to impose Church of England services in Puritan church's - suspected op having catholic sympathies.

• Introduced new taxes focused don import and export duties. Massachusetts had previously had no tax laws.

• All land ownership titles declared void and puritan landowners had to pay to get it back.

• Restricted number of town meetings as they were sources of brewing discontent.

The glorious Revolution of 1688 and William of Orange becoming king.

In April 1687 James II issued a declaration of indulgence, suspending penal laws against catholics.following this he dissolved parliament . 7 bishops were arrested after refusing to read out the declaration. There was a significant increase in fear of Catholicism, intensified when James II 's wife became pregnant - was England's future catholic? William of Orange was invited to bring a force against James. William arrived in December 1688 and James fled. William became king. William almost immediate passed a toleration act in May 1689, ensuring religious freedom to all groups except Catholics. William's win in the battle of Boyne in 1690 against James secured his role as king.

Impact of the glorious Revolution on Massachusetts

When news of the revolution hit Massachusetts, there were revolts against Governor Andros. Militia assembled, mutinying - against Andros because they feared being used in a popish plot. Rebels led by cotton and increase Mather, as well as the militia began arresting officials around Andros's residence. On the 18th of April 1689 He tried to flee but was captured and taken to trial in England.

Political impact of revolution on Massachusetts

By October of 1689 Massachusetts was given a new charter, and became known as the province of Massachusetts bay. King William was fearful Massachusetts would fall into its own religious rule, so imposed some rules.

• voting eligibility based on property ownership rather than religious denomination.

• The governor could block any laws passed by council if they wanted.

• Officials appointed by council rather than elected.