Salem Witch Trials
In the summer of 1692, ignorance and fear ruled over Puritan Salem,
Massachusetts. Several men and women stood trial for witchcraft. People
called them witches and believed the devil had given them special
powers. Nineteen of the accused were judged guilty and put to death
by hanging. Another was crushed to death for not pleading guilty.
Many others suffered and some died as a result of the turmoil and
mistreatment.
Lesson Plans | Primary
Sources |
Lesson Plans:
Salem
Witch Trials / The Crucible - In order to bring home the emotional
power of the Salem witch trials, devote time to a whole-class dramatic
reading of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. This lesson also ties
in Arthur Miller, McCarthyism and the black list.
Colonial America / Salem Witch Trials - Students will understand
basic facts about the Salem Witch Trials and different theories for
the hysteria. Explore primary source documents to understand the stories
of various people involved in the trials. Write a fictional first-hand
account as if living in Salem Village in 1692, which reflects one
or more of the theories. Describe characteristics of Puritanism and
its role in 17th-century Salem.
Primary Source Documents:
Petition
for Bail from the Accused Witches - In 1692 the famous Salem,
Massachusetts, witchcraft trials took place, and that summer hundreds
of people in the colony were arrested. Shown here is an appeal from
ten women "besides thre or foure men" who were confined
without trial in the Ipswich jail for many months. The petitioners--some
"fettered with irons," some pregnant, and all "weake
and infirme"--request that they be released on "bayle"
to stand trial the following spring so that they do not "perish
with cold" during the winter months.
Transcripts
from the Salem Witch Trials - Verbatim Transcriptions of the Court
Records of the Salem Witch Trials In three volumes.
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=Elem/Middle School K-8
