The Crucible Background Notes on Salem What Happened

The Crucible Background Notes on Salem

What Happened? n 1689 – Samuel Parris hired as minister of Salem Village n January 20, 1692, Parris’ daughter and several other girls become sick n February – Dr. Griggs examines the girls and decides that they have been bewitched n Feb. 29 th – Tituba, Sarah Good and Sarah Osbourne arrested for witchcraft. n Tituba confesses to save her life and gives more names

What Happened? n Over 150 people were arrested and imprisoned n 5 died in prison n 26 went to trial and were all convicted n 19 were hanged and one was pressed to death. n October 1692, the court was dissolved n May 1693, Gov. Phipps pardons those who were accused and still living. n Courts no longer allowed spectral evidence

Puritans & Life in Salem n The wilderness was nearby seen as a place of the devil. It’s where the Indians live. n Suffer Indian attacks n Believed that God told them to settle here…they were to be the light of the world, a perfect society. n They left for religious freedom, but persecuted anyone who had different beliefs here

Puritans & Life in Salem n Belief in Predestination looked for signs of God’s favor to see if they were going to heaven or hell. n Limited medical knowledge…. many things that could not be explained by medicine were said to be caused by something SUPERNATURAL

Puritans & Life in Salem n Their rules were strict, but as time passed and conditions got better: n n Some people wanted to loosen the rules Others felt they should remain strict n This caused A LOT of tension in Salem Political Fighting n Believed in the existence of witches n Believed that the devil was everywhere

Puritans & Life in Salem n Believed that women were more likely to be witches because they were more likely to sin n Constant fighting over land boundaries n Small Pox epidemic n Political fighting between Salem Town (Merchants, Shipping) and Salem Village (Farming)

Salem Village vs. Salem Town n Farming n Merchants, Shipping n Less and less land n Meeting House available n No Meeting House (Church) & have to travel to Salem Town n Wants independence from Salem Town n Political Power

Salem Village vs. Salem Town n Village wanted independence from the town. n Finally compromise allowed village to have own minister and meeting house, but they were still tied politically to TOWN n Political Power

Salem Village vs. Salem Town n Tension between rich n More prosperous with and poor in village n East Village: Rich land, roads, access to market n West Village: Poor land, no roads, difficult to access market trade to Europe n More $ = More Power = More Political influence n Town collected Taxes from the Village

Salem Village vs. Salem Town n Problem of “revolving ministers” n Village supports Reverend Parris n Factions develop in Village (Anti vs Pro Parris) n Opposed Parris

Salem Village vs. Salem Town n ANTI- Parris Villagers Small businessmen whose livelihoods depend on the Town n Prosperous village farmers with access to town market, n Most of the accused witches came from this group n Why? n Against Parris

Salem Village vs. Salem Town n PRO Parris Villagers Middle income farmers and church members, n poor farmers who were not church members n leading citizens who make the accusations n Why? n Against Parris