5.1 the social, economic, and political context of Salem

Question 1

weakened authority after the 1688 revolution: massachusetts bay gov

first settlers to arrive in Salem in 1630

Answer 1

• John Winthrop and nearly 800 colonists carried a colonial charter saying the colony belonged to the Crown

Question 2

weakened authority after the 1688 revolution: massachusetts bay gov

1630s Star Chamber and Charles I

Answer 2

• Charles I and his archbishop of canterbury William Laud were punishing radicals (puritans) in the star chamber
• 10,000 puritans migrated to Massachusetts between 1630-1642

Question 3

weakened authority after the 1688 revolution: massachusetts bay gov

Colonial growth: colonys economy, but the government of massachusetts

Answer 3

• growth in the 1640s and 1650s with good trade + fishing industry
• massachusetts gov was still dominated by puritans
• colony was resistant to Charles II’s attempt at establishing the church of england

Question 4

weakened authority after the 1688 revolution: massachusetts bay gov

how was puritanism essential to Salem?

residents, taxes, puritans/non-puritans

Answer 4

• residents were required to pay taxes to the church even if they weren’t members
• members were given the right to vote for local officials, and non-puritans could be banished

Question 5

weakened authority after the 1688 revolution: massachusetts bay gov

Charles II vs Massachusetts: what were Charles’ concerns? How did Massachusetts resist this?

royal charter.

Answer 5

• Charles II tried to centralise control in the hands of the royal court
• massachusetts became the most resistant to this.
• charles tried to revoke the royal charter in 1678/1681 but hte puritans resisted, until 1984

Question 6

The reign of James II and governship of Sir Edmund Andros

when did Charles die

Answer 6

1685

Question 7

The reign of James II and governship of Sir Edmund Andros

who succeeded Charles II

Answer 7

• James II, his catholic brother
• 1686

Question 8

The reign of James II and governship of Sir Edmund Andros

Andros’ policies?

COES, T,LOT,TM

Answer 8

• attempted to fulfil late Charles II’s wish for Church of England services to be delivered in puritan churches.
• introduced new taxes, focusing on import/export duties. Massachusetts had no previous tax laws, so this created resentment
• land ownership titles issues under Massachusetts bay colony were declared void. Puritan landowners were required to pay fees to challenge this, and much of the money collected from these fees was required to pay for defence mechanisms against the Indian attacks on Salem.
• restricted the number of town meetings.

Question 8

The reign of James II and governship of Sir Edmund Andros

what did James II do to the colonies? Why was Sir Edmund Andros unpopular?

Answer 8

• he registered all New England colonies as the Dominion of New England (inc Massachusetts)
• governed by Sir Edmund Andros (who was unwiling to include well-established local puritans on his council)

Question 9

the glorious revolution

April 1687 James II declaration, bishops reaction, and how they challenged him

bishops invitation to WOO

Answer 9

• Declaration of Indulgence: he suspended existing penal laws against catholics followed by him dissolving parliament
• 7 bishops refused to read it in May 1688, their dismissal was met with public rejoice
• they then invited William of Orange to bring force against James, as they were terrified of a catholic heir.

Question 10

the glorious revolution

William’s arrival: December 1688

Answer 10

• james fled the country
• he ruled jointly with his wife, mary, the protestant daughter of James

Question 11

the glorious revolution

what did William of Orange enforce? meanwhile, what was James doing about William’s kingship?

TA, IRL

Answer 11

• enforced a Toleration Act 1689 which granted many protestant groups (not catholics) freedom
• James attempted to amass a force in Ireland to take back the throne.

Question 12

the glorious revolution

Battle of the Boyne 1690

Answer 12

• james vs William of Orange
• William won (protestant)

Question 13

the impact of the revolution on massachusetts

How did the revolution affect Massachusetts? what did the people do?

Boston colonists, messenger, militia.

Answer 13

• colonists of Boston revolted against Governor Andros
• when a messenger arrived with the news of the revolution in England, Andros had him arrested, but the news still spread
• Militia from Massachusetts assembled by Andros mutinied in fear they were being used in a ‘popish plot’ (against protestants)

Question 13

the impact of the revolution on massachusetts

who led the rebels?

key figures

Answer 13

• Cotton and his father Increase Mather
• Increase went to negotiate with england over a new charter

Question 14

the impact of the revolution on massachusetts

who governed wehn Mather was gone?

Answer 14

• one of his allies Simon Bradstreet
• when Increase returned, in 1692 the salem witch hunt had begun

Question 15

the impact of the revolution on massachusetts

April 1689

militia companies, Andros

Answer 15

• rebellious militia companies began arresting officials in and around Boston, and surrounded Andros’ residence
• they claimed they were William of Orange supporters, and had no choice due to Andros’ alleged popish plot
• Andros was eventually captured and brought to England to face trial.

Question 16

the impact of the revolution on massachusetts

how was Massachusetts governed after Andros was sent away?

province, charter

Answer 16

• council comprising Andros’ former agents, as well as former leaders of the colony and some high profile puritans
• October 1691, Massachusetts was given a new charter and now was known as the province of Massachusetts Bay

Question 17

the impact of the revolution on massachusetts

What did King William enforce?

vr, ap, gb

Answer 17

• voting rights based on property ownership over religion
• all officials to be appointed by the crown not elected
• governor could block any laws passed by the council

in an effort to prevent it from falling into religous rule again

Question 18

Indian threats

King Phillip’s War affect on Salem

1675-1678

Answer 18

• 1/10 of all military aged men were killed
• the threat of attack meant residents were wary

Question 19

Indian threats

How did attacks become more likely after Andros was overthrown?

Answer 19

• colonial defences were weakened, and fewer troops were available
• colonists were regularly killed
• the girls in the trials would have been affected by such attacks through their friends and neighbours.

Question 20

Indian threats

what did the Salem trials also coincide with?

SIW

Answer 20

• King William’s war, referred to as the second indian war
• part of a wide nine years war 1688-1697 which he was fighting against france

Question 21

Indian threats

what did Puritans believe about Indians?

Answer 21

• they were devil worshippers who wished to prevent a godly society
• they were also allies of the french and spanish (hated)
• in contemporary accounts they were treated as sub-human

Question 22

Economic crises

Effect of the First Indian War on Massachusetts

Springfield

Answer 22

• virtually ruined
• half of New England’s towns were attacked
• Springfield Massachusetts was burnt entirely the ground

Question 23

# Economic crises population growth in Massachusetts?

Answer 23

- 3% per year

Question 24

# Economic crises **1680s** what did the colonists ask for from England? | BUT $$$$

Answer 24

- military assistance - BUT this also contributed to a rise in their tax burden under Andros

Question 25

# Economic crises the **Navigation** Acts | **1651** most importantly.

Answer 25

- hampered the economic fortunes of the economy - **1651, 1660, 1662, 1673** - the original **1651** Act stated goods imported to England and its territories had to be carried on English ships. It also required all ships had to be at least half english in crew.

Question 26

# Economic crises What did the later acts do to Massachusetts trade prospects? what did they require? rebellions?

Answer 26

- goods transported from the colonies to any destination had to travel to England first - Massachusetts ships were reasonably strong and independent, so captains ignored these demands. - they were punished.

Question 27

# Economic crises What did the Acts effectively reduce

Answer 27

- the amount of money going to Massachusetts because they ahd to go to England first - it became virtually impossiblee to ship grain to England as a result.

Question 27

# social tensions: religion why was religion so major in Salem? | puritan settlers

Answer 27

- the puritans that settled there saw themselves as Gods chosen people - they were concerned with seeking God's approval

Question 28

# social tensions: religion Scientific revolution in salem + non-confirmists.

Answer 28

- largely ignored - they preferred to interpret crop failures, illness, hallucinations, as the Devils work - anyone who didn't conform to being puritan was suspicious.

Question 29

# social tensions: religion in the eyes of salem puritans, women were..?

Answer 29

- inferior to men

Question 30

# social tensions: class salem town vs salem village

Answer 30

- most accuers came from salem village - it was largely agricultural and puritan - those who lived on the main Ipswich Road and Salem Town had more contact with the outside world, and were less reliant on Agriculture with less passionate religous believes. - jealousies could drive accusations when harvests were poor.

Question 31

# social tensions: class differing opinions on independence: Salem village vs Salem Town

Answer 31

- salem village had made attempts to gain independence - but Salem Town relied on agricultural produce of the Village, and fiercely resisted this. - there was a conflict of interest.

Question 32

# social tensions: class Putnams vs Porters: Village vs Town

Answer 32

- Putnams - salem village, heavily involved in accusations - porters - rich, Salem town