Escaping Salem The other witch hunt of 1692 by Richard Godbeer
1) discuss the question of Katherine Branch’s credibility as an accuser. Did she have fits, was she truly
tormented, was she confused; or was she a charlatan, being manipulated by others?
2) Describe conditions existing in Puritan communities that lead to witchcraft mania. what other issues in the
communities might have compounded the accusatory nature of the mania ?
3) How difficult was it for magistrates to conduct witchcraft trials? How could authorities determine guilt when
surrounded by both skeptics and religious believers? Discuss the laws, written statements, pamphlets and books used
by magistrate to determine guilt or innocence of those accused of witchcraft?
4) Discuss the differences between the Salem trials and the trials in Connecticut.