The Salem Witch Hunt: A Brief History with Documents. Dieser Artikel ist nicht verfügbar.The Salem Witch Hunt: A Brief History with Documents

The Salem witch trials stand as one of the infamous moments in colonial American history. More than 150 people -- primarily women -- from 24 communities were charged with witchcraft; 19 were hanged and others died in prison. In his introduction to this compact yet comprehensive volume, Richard Godbeer explores the beliefs, fears, and historical context that fueled the witch panic of 1692. The documents in this collection illuminate how the Puritans' worldview led them to seek a supernatural explanation for the problems vexing their community. Presented as case studies, the carefully chosen records from several specific trials offer a clear picture of the gender norms and social tensions that underlie the witchcraft accusations. The final documents cover recantations of confessions, the aftermath of the witch hunt, and statements of regret. A chronology of the witchcraft crisis, questions for consideration, and a selected bibliography round out the book's pedagogical support.

RICHARD GODBEER (Ph.D., Brandeis University) is professor of history at the University of Miami. Godbeer's research and teaching interests center on colonial and revolutionary America, with an emphasis on religious culture, gender studies, and the history of sexuality. His first book, The Devil's Dominion: Magic and Religion in Early New England (1992) won the American Historical Association Pacific Coast Branch Award for the Best First Book. He is also the author of Sexual Revolution in Early America (2002), Escaping Salem: The Other Witch Hunt of 1692 (2004), and The Overflowing of Friendship: Love Between Men and the Creation of the American Republic (2009).