Salem Witch Trials Flashcards

Flashcards about the Salem Witch Trials

The Salem witch trials occurred in __.

Colonial Massachusetts, between early 1692 and mid-1693

During the Salem Witch Trials, __ people were accused of practicing witchcraft.

More than 200

During the Salem Witch Trials, __ people were executed.

20

__ was the last convicted Salem “witch” whose name had yet to be cleared, and was officially exonerated in July 2022.

Elizabeth Johnson Jr.

Since the 17th century, the story of the Salem witch trials has become synonymous with __.

Paranoia and injustice

The Salem witch trials were fueled by __.

Xenophobia, religious extremism, and long-brewing social tensions

In 1689, English monarchs William and Mary started a war known as __ with France in the American colonies.

King William's War

The displaced people from King William's War affected Salem because __.

The refugees placed a strain on Salem's resources, aggravating the existing rivalry between families.

__ became Salem Village’s first ordained minister in 1689 and quickly gained a reputation for his rigid ways and greedy nature.

Samuel Parris

In January 1692, __ started having “fits,” which initiated the accusations.

Elizabeth (Betty) Parris and Abigail Williams

The girls initially blamed __ for afflicting them.

Tituba, Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborne

Tituba confessed that __.

The devil came to me and bid me serve him.

Charges against __ greatly concerned the community because she was a loyal member of the church.

Martha Corey

The first accused witch brought in front of the Special Court was __.

Bridget Bishop

Respected minister __ wrote a letter imploring the court not to allow spectral evidence.

Cotton Mather

__ denounced the use of spectral evidence, stating, “It were better that ten suspected witches should escape than one innocent person be condemned.”

Increase Mather

Governor __ prohibited further arrests and released many accused witches, eventually dissolving the Court of Oyer and Terminer.

William Phips

__ was pressed to death with heavy stones after refusing to submit himself to a trial.

Giles Corey

In the years following the trials and executions, some involved, like judge and accuser , publicly confessed error and guilt.

Samuel Sewall and Ann Putnam

Playwright __ resurrected the tale of the Salem witch trials with his 1953 play The Crucible.

Arthur Miller

An early hypothesis posited that the accusers suffered from __, a condition caused by eating foods contaminated with the fungus ergot.

Ergotism

In August 1992, to mark the 300th anniversary of the trials, Nobel Laureate __ dedicated the Witch Trials Memorial in Salem.

Elie Wiesel