Hailey Craig

American History Early T Th 9:00AM to 10:15AM

March 23, 2017
Annotated Biblography
King, E.W., Mixon Jr., F.G. (2010, Jan.) Religiosity and the Political Economy of the Salem
Witch Trials. The Social Science Journal. V.47,N.1,pp. 678-688.
This text by Ernest W. King and Franklin G. Mixon Jr. discusses the village in which the Salem
Trials occurred and the religion that consumed it. The view is not biased, even though it displays
different views of the Puritan religion. Yet, intendeds to focused on the peoples perspective on
the social and economic changes that transformed religion in the colonial era. King and Mixon
also explore the political economy post and prior to the Salem Witch Trials. Before the witch
trials, Colonial Massachusetts maintained strength in politics and religion. Colonists obeying the
idea of predestination. During the witch trials, Reverend Parris took over religious control in the
community. Parris desired unrealistic rules which caused drastic changes in social control and
destroyed ministerial faith. After the witch trials, the colony suffered a shift in political and
religious tradition. Ultimately, the shift was exactly what the colony needed. It brought them
towards commercialization and having a business based economy.
Starkey, M.L. (1950). The Devil in Massachusetts, a Modern Inquiry into the Salem Witch Trials.
A.A. Knopf: New York.
This book tells a story of two young girls, Betty and Abigail, and how their lives were taken
away from them during the Salem Witch Trials. Betty was the daughter of Reverend Samuel
Parris (as mentioned above). This story tells the extremities that Parris took to protect his
community, but not his daughter. The characters throughout the story bring this horrific incident
to life; as the characters are historical figures. As the trials occurred, innocent girls were hung or
burned. Even though, the Witch religion did exist in 1692, many for whom were accused were
merely influenced. The conclusion begins fourteen years after the trials began. The fields of corn
and the charred ground left a continuous strand of regret amongst the colonists. Religion was
slowly strengthening throughout the community. In conclusion, the author is not amused by the
thought that the community could recover. Nevertheless, just resembles pity among the village.
Roach, M.K. (2002). The Salem Witch Trials: a Day-By-Day Chronicle of a Community Under
Siege. Cooper Square Press: New York.
This text is a narrative that shows just what life was like during the Salem Witch Trials. The
history behind this story has been told for generations. Every piece of information noted in this
book were documented at some point. Roach leaves many theories and questions unanswered for
readers to look further in the mystery. All of the characters mentioned in the book were real
people who have been documented in the time frame of the Salem Witch Trials. The author
exemplifies the mannerisms and actions people did on a daily basis. Insistences of abuse and
neglect that happened leave a gruesome picture in the unknowing mind. As readers find their
selves getting lost in the unthinkable tragedy of the Salem Witch Trials, many neglect to think
that most of young girls accused of witchcraft were actually innocent. Although, examples from
the book explain why people decided to become witches. This book leaves readers on a hook and
provides anticipation to figure out what truly happened during the Salem Witch Trials.
Woolf, A. (2000, June) Witchcraft or Mycotoxin? The Salem Witch Trials. Journal of
Toxicology-Clinical Toxicology. V.38,No.4,pp. 457-460.
In this article Woolf provides an in-depth background story behind what could be the true cause
of the witch epidemic in Salem in 1692. He begins by stating that the winter prior to the
beginning of the Salem Witch Trials was harsh. Then, then following spring was wet and warm
with a stormy and hot summer to follow. This led to a not successful harvesting season which
only gave the Puritans one option for grain, rye. Back then, Puritans were unaware of the deadly
toxins contained in rye. As the rye bread was consumed, it corrupted the young adolescents.
Ergot alkaloids is the primary toxin, contained in rye, that can cause people and animals to have
hallucinations, burning sensations, and the feeling of pinches. The young women accused of
witchcraft, had all of those symptoms. Many examples are stated that ergot poisoning caused the
Salem Witch Trials. He concludes, that if it wasnt for the corruption of the Puritan community
trying to ban the thought of witchcraftthe young women wouldve been able to live their lives.