Curated OER
Religious Intolerance and the Salem Witch Trials
Learners describe the basic beliefs of the Puritan religion; identify the principle figures in the Salem Witch Trials;explain the events that led to the mass hysteria suffered by the town; analyze the First Amendment; and examine...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Understanding the Salem Witch Trials
Students describe some of the important elements of life in Puritan New England. They create a timeline of the events of the Salem Witch Trials. They work in groups to explore the concept of multiple interpretations of history.
Curated OER
Witches through History
Spark interest in a historic phenomena that lasted over 1000 years. The topic, witch hunts throughout history! A timeline beginning in 1000 BC follows how various religious groups have persecuted those thought to be witches up through...
Curated OER
Pilgrims and Puritans
With graphic organizers galore, learners will follow the changes of church and state in early colonial America. They look at the differences between the pilgrims and the puritans in terms of beliefs and life ways. Myths and...
Curated OER
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Examine the life of Arthur Miller and the characters in one of his well-known plays, The Crucible. The first few slides give background information on Miller as well as Senator McCarthy and the blacklisted celebrities during the...
Curated OER
Salem Witch Trials
Students consider the implications of the Salem Witch Trials. In this literature lesson, students read Arthur Miller's The Crucible and compare the witch trials to McCarthyism of the 1950's. Students rewrite scenes from the play using a...
Other
The Historical Significance of Matthew Hopkins: England's "Witchfinder General"
A fascinating examination of the history of witchfinders, and how Matthew Hopkins came to have a central role during the period of witch persecution in early modern England.
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.
The History Cat
The History Cat: History of Colonial America: Witchcraft in Salem
Describes what happened in the Puritan town of Salem, Massachusetts in 1692 when a group of young girls began to have visions and were accused and tried for witchcraft.
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.
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...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: New England Colonies: Witchcraft in Salem
The hysteria in Salem which resulted in trials of innocent people accused of witchcraft has invited many theories on why the accusing girls made such claims. Read about the evidence admitted in the trials and the results of the trials....
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.
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,...
Other
Hillcrest High School: The Colonies Come of Age: The Commercial North [Pdf]
A chapter from a history text that looks at the Northern colonial economy, colonial town life, the immigrant groups who settled there, slavery in the North, the role of women, the Salem witchcraft trials, and the influence of the...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Witches of Salem
In 1692 a group of adolescent girls in Salem Village, Massachusetts, became subject to strange fits after hearing tales told by a West Indian slave. When they were questioned, they accused several women of being witches who were...
McGraw Hill
Mc Graw Hill: Colonial Economy and Patterns of Society
Although tied to pages from a specific text, these AP study questions allow anyone to consider aspects of colonial economics. (Answers to some of the questions are located at the following link:...