Witchcraft in Colonial America Research Paper

BACKGROUND

During the end of the seventeenth century, hysteria swept through the New England colonies, particularly in Salem, Massachusetts, when people became convinced that some of their fellow citizens were witches. Many accused witches (usually women) were put on trial and some were subsequently executed.

BROWSE FOR BOOKS ON THE SHELF USING THESE CALL NUMBERS

133.4–133.43

345.744

974.4

LOOK UNDER THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS IN THE CATALOG (CARD OR COMPUTER)

Witchcraft—Massachusetts—Salem

Salem (Mass.)—History

Trials (Witchcraft)—Massachusetts—Salem

Witchcraft—History

Witchcraft—New England

REFERENCE MATERIALS THAT MAY HELP (BOOKS OR CD-ROMS)

Guiley, Rosemary Ellen. The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft, 1990.

Knappman, Edward W., ed. Great American Trials, 1994.

Magill, Frank N., ed. Great Events from History: American History Series, 1975.

Mysteries of Mind, Space and Time: The Unexplained. H. Stuttman, 1992.

Salem Witchcraft; with an Account of Salem Village and a History of Opinions on Witchcraft and Kindred Subjects. Corner House, 1971.

Robbins, Rossell H. The Encyclopedia of Witchcraft and Demonology, 1986.

General encyclopedias

PERIODICAL INDEXES TO SEARCH (BOOKS OR CD-ROMS)

EBSCO Magazine Article Summaries

InfoTrac

Readers’ Guide to Periodical Literature

SIRS (Social Issues Resources Series)

WILSONDISC

ONLINE DATABASES TO SEARCH

CompuServe

Dialog

Internet
KEY WORDS AND DESCRIPTORS FOR PERIODICAL INDEX AND ONLINE SEARCHES

Witchcraft

Witchcraft trials

Salem, Massachusetts

Use the name of a key personality in the trials; e.g., Tituba, Cotton Mather.

VIDEOTAPES ON THIS TOPIC

Three Sovereigns for Sarah. PBS Video, 1985.

The Witches of Salem. LCA, 1986.

FICTION BOOKS RELATING TO TOPIC

Clapp, Patricia. Witches’ Children, 1982.

Farber, Norma. Mercy Short: A Winter Journal, North Boston, 1692–93, 1982.

Rinaldi, Ann. A Break with Charity: A Story about the Salem Witch Trials, 1992.

Westall, Robert. The Devil on the Road, 1979.

NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO CONTACT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Essex Institute, 132 Essex Street, Salem, MA 01970.

Historic Salem, Inc., P.O. Box 865, Salem, MA 01970.

Salem Witch Museum, 19 1/2 Washington Square N., Salem, MA 01970.

SUGGESTIONS FOR NARROWING THIS TOPIC

Choose an important figure involved in the witch hunts to research; e.g., Tituba, Cotton Mather.

Choose a specific family that was affected by the witch hunts; e.g., Corey, Esty, Bilby, Bishop.

Describe the Salem witchcraft trials.

Discuss the origins of witchcraft.

Why did the witchcraft scare occur when and where it did?

SUGGESTIONS FOR RELATED TOPICS

Hysteria

Modern day “witch hunts”; e.g., McCarthy witch hunts

Nostradamus

Role of women in Puritan society

Twentieth century witchcraft

Witchcraft in the Middle Ages

This RESEARCH TOPIC GUIDE is intended to help the library user find information and materials on a particular topic in many sources throughout the library. Resources on this topic are not limited to those described and availability will depend upon the individual library. Feel free to ask a librarian for assistance.