Understanding the Salem Witch Trials

What was the initial focus of the Salem witch trials?

• To investigate economic instability

• To target notorious women

• To explore new religious practices

• To establish a new government

How did Tatuba's confession affect the trials?

• It resulted in the immediate release of all accused

• It caused the afflicted girls' fits to cease

• It led to the end of the trials

• It was ignored by the court

What was John Proctor's response to Mary Warren's fits?

• He ignored her

• He sent her away

• He accused her of witchcraft

• He beat her, which seemed to cure her

What was the role of the newly appointed governor William Fipps in the trials?

• He established a court to handle the accusations

• He ignored the situation

• He was accused of witchcraft

• He ended the trials immediately

What was the ministers' advice regarding spectral evidence?

• To ignore it completely

• To rely heavily on it

• To use it as the sole evidence

• To use it cautiously

What was the outcome of the trials after Governor Fipps intervened?

• The trials expanded to other colonies

• All accused were executed

• The trials continued with more intensity

• The court was closed and most were acquitted

What factors contributed to the Salem witch trials according to Benjamin Ray?

• A stable government

• A single key person

• A perfect storm of multiple factors

• A lack of religious influence

What was the impact of the Salem witch trials on the Puritan influence in New England?

• It strengthened their influence

• It had no impact

• It led to a decline in their influence

• It caused them to expand to other regions

What does Charles McKay's book suggest about mass hysteria?

• It is unique to the Salem witch trials

• It can be compared to economic bubbles

• It only occurs in religious contexts

• It is always caused by a single event

What is a popular quote by Charles McKay regarding mass delusions?

• Men are immune to mass hysteria

• Men think individually and recover quickly

• Men think in herds and recover slowly

• Men never recover from delusions