Salem Witchcraft Hysteria

**Disclaimer**

The site you are about to experience reveals the historical background of the Salem witch trials. Next class, you will begin reading a play that was inspired by these historical events. The play is considered historical fiction—meaning that the play is not real. The witch trials actually happened, but they were not caused by the motivations suggested in the play. The characters share the same names as real people in American history, but they do not share characterization.

Step One:Go to the following site and click on

SALEM WITCHCRAFT HYSTERIA in the center of the page.

Step Two:Read the INTRODUCTION and complete the chart below.

Year of the Trials: / The People:
To what did the town of Salem attribute the “fitts” experienced by the afflicted girls?
Terms to Know: (Use a dictionary if necessary)
-Convulsions:
-Manifested:
-Specter:

Step Three:

  • Click on the red PROLOGUE link and complete the chart below.

What is the apostle Peter’s warning?
What does the line “the lion walked softly among them” mean?
Why was Salem divided into two factions?
Give two characteristics that describe Reverend Parris.
Who was Tituba?
Who were the first people named as witches and what similarity did the women share?
Why does Tituba confess?
What two claims does she make?

Step Four:

  • Click “Experience the Trials”.
  • Follow the RED links.
  • Use the scroll bars and read the entire text.
  • Complete the following chart:

What is “Ingersoll’s” and how do you know?
Ann Putnam
Age______/ Two facts:
Abigail Williams
Age______/ Two facts:
Mary Warren
Age______/ Two facts:
  • Click the RED “bewitched” link. Read the information.
  • Click the RED “torturer” link.

Step Five:

  • Who is the newest person accused of being a witch? ______
  • Click “you”
  • Use the scroll bars.
  • Follow the RED links.

Give two characteristics to describe jail.
What do the girls claim you’ve done to them? How did you do it?
What were the accusations against Bridget Bishop?
Who was Martha Corey (click on the red link)?
Who was Rebecca Nurse (click on the red link)?
Give two details from your trial?
What do the judges want you to do?

Step Six:

  • Pick “No.”
  • Complete the chart below:

List the “process of events that take place when you deny charges of being a witch.
Click on the red link for John Proctor. / Two facts:

Step Seven:Read through the EPILOGUE.

  • How many people were killed? ______
  • What stopped the hysteria?______

______.

  • Click on the link titled “Find out what happens if you confess.”

What is ironic about confessing?
What do you do to insure your life?

REFLECTION: Are we so different from the Puritans of 1692? Think of modern day “witch hunts” in which hysteriareplaces clear thinking?