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HISTORY 17A

SALEM WITCH TRIALS

INTERNET HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
(50 Points)

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Assignment

Directions for Questions 1-18

Go to http://www.nationalgeographic.com/salem/ and click to continue.

Read the Introduction and Prologue, then click to continue.  Click on all of the hyperlinks you come across in order to answer the following questions in as much detail as is available on the web site.  Each question is worth 2 points unless otherwise noted.

  1. How did Reverend Samuel Parris contribute to friction in the village of Salem?
  2. When did Betty Parris begin having fits?
  3. What was the status within the community of the first 3 named?
  4. Who was Ann Putnam and what does she confess to in 1706?
  5. Why does Mary Warren, a 20 year old accuser, have second thoughts, but then rejoins the accusers?
  6. Why has the jailor locked heavy chains around your legs?
  7. Who were Martha Cory and Rebecca Nurse? (4 pts)

When you reach the WILL YOU CONFESS? page, click “NO.”  Answer the following questions:

  1. Why do you refuse to confess?
  2. What do you fear losing if you lie about being a witch?
  3. What evidence is presented against you?
  4. Who was John Willard and why was he arrested?
  5. Who were John and Elizabeth Procter?  What were their fates? (4 pts)

Read the Epilogue, then click to continue and click “Find out what happens if do confess to witchcraft.”  Answer the following questions:

  1. How many lives were claimed during the witch hunt?  How many were hanged?
  2. What was the condition of freedom from jail for all those pardoned by Governor Phips in 1693?
  3. Who was Joseph Green and what was his part in the village of Salem ?
  4. You’ve confessed to being a witch.  Why do the judges keep you alive?
  5. What was it about Mary Esty’s case that makes it a rarity?
  6. Who was Giles Cory and why was he pressed to death?

Directions for Essay Assignment

Go to “The Salem Witch Trials” web page at http://www.salemwitchtrials.com/ and click on Biographies.  Choose two victims (NOTE:  not everyone listed is a victim!  You need to know who’s who.) and write a well argued 3-4 paragraph letter to the court in which you speak on their behalf and urge the court not to condemn them as a witch.  Be creative!  Poorly constructed answers will receive low points.

ASSIGNMENT IS DUE BY THE END OF CLASS ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13.  I will not accept e-mailed homework.  Late assignments will be marked down 5 points each day that they are late (including Saturday and Sunday).  Late papers are defined as those which reach me after the end of class on the day they are due.

GOOD LUCK!!!!