TES Global
Tes: James Stuart and Witchcraft
[Free Registration/Login Required] This lesson focuses on King James I and his belief in witchcraft. It includes information and activities about witches, conducting research about James's superstitions and his book Deamonologie, and...
Washington State University
Washington State University: Literary Movements: Salem Witch Trials
A survey of the Salem Witch Trials as well as its background in seventeenth-century colonial New England. Includes descriptions of the accused and analysis of the reasons for the outbreak of witchcraft accusations, a bibliography,...
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Medieval Sourcebook: Witchcraft Documents (15Th Century)
Fordham University offers three documents about witchcraft in the 15th Century. Included is a Papal bull where the Pope provides a blessing and encouragement to witch hunting.
University of Missouri
Famous Trials: The Witchcraft Trials in Salem: A Commentary
A concise yet detailed historical note about the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, its participants, and background. Discusses the legal proceedings and explains changes which have occurred in the American justice system since then, with...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Supernatural Elements in Macbeth
In this self-paced lesson, students explore how Shakespeare uses supernatural elements in Macbeth. It begins with an exploration of beliefs about the supernatural and witchcraft in Shakespeare's time as presented in a segment from...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Teacher Serve: Witchcraft in Salem Village
This National Humanities site gives a brief description of "This notorious episode in the history of early New England," and some ideas for presenting the topic of witchcraft to students.
George Mason University
Women in World History Project: Early Modern Period: Manual, Witch Hunters
Provides an excerpt from the Malleus Maleficarum, the manual used during the European witch hunts to identify witches, most of whom were believed to be women.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Understanding the Salem Witch Trials
In this lesson plan, students will consider "Understanding the Salem Witch Trials." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
University of Tulsa
University of Tulsa: Witches and Witchtrials in England
This website provides detailed information about witches and witchtrials in England. Site contains dates, locations, names, charge and sentence. Also provides sources.
University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh: Superstitions From Europe
A lengthy list of old superstitions from European countries.
Blackdog Media
Classic Reader: "Breaking a Spell" by w.w. Jacobs
This is the text of the short story "Breaking a Spell" by W.W. Jacobs; it is part 6 of a larger collection entitled Odd Craft.
Other
King's College: The European Witch Hunts
Brief summary of the European Witch Hunts that took place from the 1400s through to the 1800s. This summary also looks at the impact this had on women's history.
Other
Nancy Polette: "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" Literature Guide
What do you know about the book "Harry Potter and the Chamber for Secrets," by J.K. Rowling? This site has a helpful literature guide.
Other
Professor Pavlac's Witch Hunts: 10 Common Errors and Myths About the Witch Hunts
Detailed discussion of misunderstandings around what happened during the European witch hunts.
University of Virginia
Univ. Of Virginia: Witchcraft in Salem Village
Detailed introductory note about the Salem Witch Trials. Lists historical sites and bibliographies related to Salem witchcraft, including books for younger readers.
Other
Book Review: Becoming America:the Revolution Before 1776
A detailed review by James T. Kloppenberg, constructively criticizing the author's (Jon Butler) thesis that ties between colonial religion and politics are exaggerated.
Other
Rational Wiki: European Witch Hunts
Discusses the history of the European witch hunts, and the misrepresentation of them as gender persecution.
Other
The Unique Concept of the Witch and the Witch Trials in Early Modern England
An essay comparing the persecution of witches in early modern England to what happened during the European witch hunts.
Other
Luther College: Magic and the Common People of Early Modern Europe
Examines the role that superstition and a belief in magic played in people's lives in early modern Europe.
Other
Salem, Massachusetts: Salem Witch Trials Chronology
Explore a timeline of events in the Salem witch trials. Contains quotations from trial participants and a photograph of the tombstone of Sarah Good, convicted and executed as a witch.
BBC
Bbc: A History of Paganism
A short survey history on paganism and how it has become more popular in recent times.
Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Religious Tolerance: The Burning Times: The Tiime Line: The Dark Ages to Now
Provides a timeline of witch hunts from the 9th century CE up to the present day.
Discovery Education
Discovery Education: Salem Witch Trials
Use this site to learn what life was like in Salem during the late 1700s and history behind the Salem Witch Trials.
CommonLit
Common Lit: Book Pairings: "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller
In +J1105:J1113this allegorical drama, inspired by the witch hunt trials of 1692-93 and the 1950s Red Scare, the town of Salem is plagued by hysteria and accusations of witchcraft. Selected (9) reading passages (grades 8-12) to pair with...