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Salem Witch Trails

Background of The Crucible

  • The Crucible is set during the Salem witch trials of 1692.

Salem Village

  • Location: Salem, Massachusetts

  • Time Period: Circa 1760s

Economic & Social Divisions

  • Salem Village:

    • Primarily poor farmers

  • Salem Town:

    • Wealthy merchants, prosperous port town

  • Salem Village sought independence from Salem Town but relied on it for food and taxes.

Defining Puritans

  • Origin of the Term:

    • Initially used as an insult by traditional Anglicans.

  • Separating Puritans:

    • Believed the Church of England was corrupt and advocated separation.

  • Non-Separating Puritans:

    • Supported reform from within the Church of England.

Puritan Beliefs

  • Predestination:

    • The belief that God chooses who will receive salvation.

  • Gift of God’s Grace:

    • Salvation is granted without the need for belief or good works.

  • Works-Based Election:

    • Contrarily, some viewed election as contingent on an individual’s works.

Focus on Behavior

  • Puritans aimed to honor God through devout behavior despite belief in predestination.

  • They believed in sanctification, where true salvation displayed through holy behavior led to spiritual pride.

Puritan Laws and Punishments

  • Mandatory church attendance; punishments for various sins.

  • Gender divisions in religious observance; men and women attended separate sides of the church.

  • Misfortunes interpreted as divine punishment.

Rules for Puritan Children

  • Children were subject to the same rules as adults; required to fulfill chores and repress emotions.

  • Disobedience was harshly punished; children rarely played as toys were considered sinful distractions.

  • Boys could be apprentices, but children faced strict upbringing focusing on piety.

Education in Puritan Society

  • Most children learned to read using mostly religious texts including the Bible.

  • Literature focused predominantly on morality, warning against sinful behavior.

Economic & Social Divisions Continued

  • Salem Town relied on the agriculture of Salem Village but growth in the town was perceived to threaten Puritan values.

  • The election of Rev. Parris as minister signified increasing tension due to worldly influences.

Causes of Hysteria Outbreak

  • Links between witchcraft and natural events fostered hysteria.

  • Strife and disease within society contributed to fears.

  • Influences included Tituba's spells, boredom among the girls, and existing neighborhood feuds.

McCarthyism Overview

  • 1940s & 1950s America faced fears of communism.

  • Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible paralleling the Red Scare led by Senator Joseph McCarthy who falsely accused many of being communists.

Impact of McCarthyism

  • Artists faced significant consequences: censorship, loss of livelihood, and imprisonment.

Salem Witch Trials Explained

  • A series of trials questioning the presence of witchcraft and the ensuing hysteria.

  • Raises questions about social dynamics and mass panic in society.

Famous Quote

  • "O Christian Martyr Who for Truth could die..." - John Greenleaf Whittier in memory of Rebecca Nurse.

Timeline of the Trials

  • From June to September 1692, 19 were executed by hanging, and others imprisoned.

  • The trials only concluded after shifting public opinion against them.

Examination of a Witch

  • Procedures and societal implications surrounding witchcraft examinations.

Notable Figures

  • William Stoughton: Chief Justice during the trials.

  • Bridget Bishop: First executed on June 10, 1692, for witchcraft.

Trial Cases

  • Cases of Rebecca Nurse and George Iacobs exemplify the nature of the trials.

Judge Sewall's Repentance

  • Judge Sewall experienced remorse after the trials; he sought to atone for his role by promoting social justice and opposing injustices in society.