Salem - ending

Question 1

Increase Mather

what was Increase Mather’s background?

Answer 1

well-respected Puritan minister

had extensive knowledge of scripture

Question 2

Increase Mather

what work did Increase publish concerning the witchcraft cases?

Answer 2

‘Cases of Coscience Concerning Evil Spirits Persecuting Men’ (1692)
* sceptical work which arued genuine cases of witchcraft were rare and much of the evidence used at trials was dubious

Question 3

Increase Mather

what was Increase’s role in ending the trials?

Answer 3

• sceptical publication
• gave sermons which supported trials but criticised the use of spectral evidence
• Puritans respected him and listened to his warnings - number of accusations slowed down

Question 4

Phips

what were Governor Phips’ initial views on witchcraft?

Answer 4

deeply influened by Mather family

supported accusations wholeheartedly at first
* ordered prisoners to be put in chains
* Court of Oyer and Terminer

appointed William Stoughton as chief judge in the trials
* unrelenting in his pursuit of witches

Question 5

Phips

how did Governor Phips’ attitudes about witchcraft change?

Answer 5

October 1692: Phips closed down the Court of Oyer and Terminer and released those who were still under investigation

Question 6

general pardon

what did the general pardon do?

Answer 6

issued by Phips in 1693

excused 8 people who Stoughton had condemned to die in the last round of trials

Question 7

general pardon

how did William Stoughton go against Phips?

Answer 7

set up a Superior Court of Judicature

ordered by Phips to discount spectral evidence, but his own views on such evidence and witches remained unchanged

Question 8

general pardon

what happened at the cases heard at the Superior Court of Judicature?

Answer 8

the first 5 prisoners to face trial were found not guilty
* shows dismissal of spectral evidence meant people were becoming more sceptical

Question 9

general pardon

how did Phips oppose Stoughton?

Answer 9

1693: wrote a letter to king William i which he criticised Stoughton for allowing the craze to develop extensively

Question 10

general pardon

in what ways was there official recongition of an end to the witch trials?

Answer 10

• 1695: the government in London repealed a 1692 Massachusetts law that enabled swift prosecution for witchcraft
• 1697: Samuel Sewall, a judge involved in the trial, officially apologised to Massachusetts officials and asked for forgiveness
• many of the girls apologised as they grew older
• 1711: compenation paid to families of victims