Salem Witch Trials Point of View Primary Source Analysis

Students will read and analyze 4 points of view about causes, course, and impact of the Salem Witch Trials (Cotton Mather, Thomas Brattle, Governor William Phips, and Mary Easty) by answering 34 questions. Two links are provided at the end for students to read additional biographical information on those involved (accusers, accused, town leaders, etc). The answers are included where appropriate and this would be great for a sub! 

***UPDATED to include an additional creative task to compare and contrast the sources (with examples!).***

Sample questions include:
--Explain the reference to the colonial territory has having once been the Devil’s territory.
--How does Mather attempt to establish his credibility in this account?
--Explain Brattle’s perception of the judges. Is it more similar or different to how Mather sees them and why?
--Identify one reason Brattle thinks innocent people have mistakenly been found guilty.
--Citing the most persuasive evidence from the text, does Brattle support the trials, why or why not?
--Does Easty seem to think what she is asking for is achievable, why or why not?
--For what reason was Phips brought to New England?
--How did Phips go one step further to try and maintain control over the events in Salem?

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