The Thing About the Salem Witch Trials

This episode explores the historical incident in 1692 Salem where a neighbor instructed enslaved servants to bake a witch cake using the urine of afflicted girls as a folk magic attempt to counter bewitchment.

This episode explores how the widespread fear of a demonic conspiracy to destroy Puritan society fueled the Salem witch trials of 1692, tracing the origins of this apocalyptic panic.

This episode details the first arrests and interrogations of Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba on March 1, 1692, marking the beginning of the Salem Witch Trials.

This episode explores the historical accusation of Elizabeth Proctor as a witch on March 6, 1692, detailing her background, family connections to witchcraft, and how her story differs from fictional portrayals.

This episode examines the real historical figure of John Proctor from the Salem witch trials, contrasting his actual life with his portrayal in Arthur Miller's The Crucible.

This episode details the March 30, 1692, events in the Salem Witch Trials, focusing on Rachel Clinton's arrest and the depositions against her, including Thomas Burnham Jr.'s account of a milk-stealing witch turning into a cat.

This episode features a clip from Maimanat Mohamed, who shares her personal experience of being accused of witchcraft as a child in Nigeria after her father's death, highlighting the work of End Witch Hunts in addressing such human rights issues.

This episode examines the dramatic events of March 24, 1692, during the Salem Witch Trials, focusing on Rebecca Nurse's court examination and Deodat Lawson's observations that intensified the hysteria.

This episode details the arrest and initial examination of Martha Corey during the Salem Witch Trials on March 21, 1692, including the discovery of suspicious ointment and her confrontation with magistrates.

This episode details how on March 12, 1692, Ann Putnam Jr.

This episode details the events of February 26, 1692, when the first person was accused of witchcraft in Salem, focusing on the ministers' investigation and Tituba's testimony.

This episode examines how decisions by future Salem witch trial judges John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin may have contributed to the 1690 destruction of English settlements in Maine, exploring the political climate in Boston that prioritized offensive military campaigns over frontier defense.

This episode explores the complex role of the influential Putnam family in the Salem Witch Trials, highlighting their divided actions in both accusing and defending alleged witches.

This episode explores Martha Carrier's case in the Salem Witch Trials, focusing on her family connections and the accusations that led to her execution as the 'Queen in Hell'.

This episode explores the early events of March 1692 that sparked the Salem Witch Trials, focusing on a physician's diagnosis of witchcraft, the spread of afflictions to more girls, and the use of a witch cake to identify the supposed witches.

This episode recounts the events of March 25, 1692, focusing on John Proctor's angry reaction to his maid Mary Warren's involvement in the Salem witch trials and his confrontations with Samuel Sibley.

This episode examines the February 27, 1692 accusation where Ann Putnam Jr.

This episode discusses the election of selectmen involved in the Salem Witch Trials and connects it to International Women's Day by reflecting on the gender dynamics and misogyny in historical witch hunts.

This episode details the political context of March 7, 1692, focusing on Reverend Increase Mather and Governor William Phipps' return from London with a new charter, which influenced the handling of the Salem Witch Trials.

This episode analyzes eight survival strategies used by those accused during the Salem Witch Trials, focusing on the controversial tactic of confession and its effectiveness in avoiding execution.

This episode examines the Porter family's financial and political dominance in Salem Village during the 1692 witch trials, exploring why they avoided accusations while others in their circle did not.

This episode explores how Puritan communities in 1692 Salem used fasting and prayer as spiritual weapons against witchcraft, focusing on Abigail Williams' visions and the broader tradition of fast days during the witch trials.

This podcast provides a daily, real-time exploration of the Salem witch trials using primary historical documents and scholarly research.

This episode explores how the violent conflicts on the New England frontier, particularly in Maine and New Hampshire, contributed to the widespread panic and trauma that fueled the Salem witch trials of 1692.

This episode explores the concept of specters in the Salem Witch Trials, focusing on how invisible apparitions were used as evidence against accused witches like four-year-old Dorothy Goode.

This episode details Tituba's expanded confession during the Salem Witch Trials, where she describes encounters with the devil and accusations against other women.

This episode examines the chaotic events of March 14th, 1692, when Martha Corey visited the Putnam household, leading to dramatic accusations and supernatural claims during the Salem Witch Trials.

This episode explores the transatlantic connections between colonial New England and Ireland, revealing how Irish events influenced the 1692 Salem Witch Trials.

This episode discusses a Massachusetts bill to exonerate individuals accused of witchcraft, highlighting its progress through the Judiciary Committee and urging listener action.

This episode recounts Reverend Samuel Parris's 1692 sermon on devils in the church during the Salem Witch Trials, focusing on accusations against Rebecca Nurse and the community's reactions.

This episode details the March 11, 1692 events in Salem Village, where ministers gathered for fasting and prayer to address the ongoing witch trial crisis and the afflicted girls' fits.

This episode examines colonial voting laws in Virginia from 1656 to provide context for the Salem Witch Trials, focusing on how legal rights and suffrage were restricted based on social status.

This episode details the imprisonment and chaining of accused witches like Sarah Good and Sarah Osborne during the Salem Witch Trials, explaining how Puritans believed chains prevented their specters from harming the community.

This episode details the events of February 28-29, 1692, when the first witchcraft complaints were filed against Tituba, Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborne during the Salem Witch Trials.

This episode recounts Ann Putnam Sr.'s deposition describing a terrifying encounter with the apparition of Rebecca Nurse, who tried to force her to sign a red book during the Salem Witch Trials.

This episode explores the historical books, particularly the Malleus Maleficarum, that provided the theological foundation for the demonic pact concept during the Salem Witch Trials.

This episode explores how Tituba, a central figure in the Salem witch trials, has been imagined and reclaimed in American literature and culture over two centuries, featuring an interview with scholar Samaine Lockwood.

This episode details the mysterious afflictions of Betty Parris and Abigail Williams in Salem Village in 1692, which a physician attributed to supernatural causes, sparking the infamous witch trials.

This episode details the March 19, 1692 events in Salem, including a witchcraft complaint against Martha Corey, spectral attacks on Ann Putnam, and Deodat Lawson's documentation of the trials.

This episode examines March 5, 1692 events in the Salem Witch Trials, featuring the reading of a witness statement describing supernatural encounters with accused witches Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba.

This episode recounts supernatural attacks and eerie events on March 18, 1692, during the Salem Witch Trials, including Ann Putnam Sr.'s torment by Martha Corey's specter and Rachel Clinton's mysterious nighttime visit.

This episode discusses the significance of March 4th in colonial history, focusing on the Massachusetts Bay Colony Charter of 1629 and its connection to the Salem Witch Trials of 1692.

This episode examines the role of physicians like Dr.

This episode explores the life of Sarah Cloyce, a survivor of the Salem Witch Trials who lost two sisters and later helped found a new town.

This episode examines the role of Mercy Lewis, a key accuser in the Salem Witch Trials, exploring her background and influence.

This episode covers testimonies and complaints filed on April 4, 1692, during the Salem Witch Trials, including spectral attacks and depositions against Rachel Clinton.

This episode examines whether the afflicted girls in the Salem Witch Trials were faking, focusing on Mary Warren's note and Samuel Parris's silence.

This episode recounts specific events from April 2, 1692, during the Salem Witch Trials, focusing on spectral afflictions and testimonies.

This episode examines the Putnam family's significant role in the Salem Witch Trials, tracing their history from 1641 land grants to their involvement in accusations against figures like George Burroughs.

This episode explores Maine's critical role in the Salem Witch Trials, linking frontier conflicts, key figures like George Burroughs, and the trauma that fueled the panic, with a focus on Falmouth's ties.

This episode explores the story of Candy, an enslaved woman from Barbados involved in the Salem witch trials, highlighting her unique courtroom confession and contrasting her with the more famous Tituba.

The hosts explore the global context of 1692, the year of the Salem Witch Trials, discussing colonization, scientific discovery, and cultural events.

This episode introduces a daily video course on the Salem Witch Trials, following the actual timeline of 1692-1693 with bite-sized videos and optional workbooks.

This episode discusses the specific actions witches were believed to perform during the Salem Witch Trials, such as signing the devil's book and having witch's marks.

Hosts discuss the historical petitions of Rebecca Nurse and Mary Esty and connect them to modern-day exoneration efforts by descendant Sarah Jack.

Author Kathleen Kent discusses her ancestor Martha Carrier, executed during the Salem Witch Trials, and her novel The Heretic's Daughter.