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Disagreements occur naturally and can be a helpful element of human interaction. However, these differing ideas need to be handled in a respectful manner, allowing groups to better understand each other. Countless times in our past dominant groups have placed blame on the actions of outsiders. As you will see on this blog, there are numerous examples, and lessons we can learn from the theme of intolerance. On this subject historian Gerda Lerner wrote:

What we do about history matters. The often repeated saying that those who forget the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them has a lot of truth in it. But what are 'the lessons of history'? The very attempt at definition furnishes ground for new conflicts. History is not a recipe book; past events are never replicated in the present in quite the same way. Historical events are infinitely variable and their interpretations are a constantly shifting process. There are no certainties to be found in the past.

It is up to future generations to determine meaning. Not being aware of these examples can leave people ill equipped to make decisions or recognize similar situations. As a reader of this blog, please read through these documents carefully, and when possible consider what we can learn from the past and present.

At the bottom of each page, click "older posts" for more bios and the last few posts contain your homework assignments. Also, quick links to bios are under December 2008 in the blog archive tag on the right side of page- you may have to scroll down. Enjoy!

If you have trouble navigating this blog or any other questions, contact Mike via mpgeyer@buffalo.edu

Quick Links to External Blogs and Script

Sexuality Intolerance- Click Here

Racial Intolerance - Click Here

Religious Intolerance - Click Here

The Salem Witch Trials Script - Click Here

The discussion group members are as follows:

Racism: Amy G., Holly K., Anne D., Robert L.

Sexuality: Jorge H., Kristin W., Andrea T., Scott M., Michelle M., Angela Stout

Religion: Stephanie B., Jenna P., Jen O., Sarah P.

The Story of the Witch Hunt

Follow this link to watch a video that will give you an overview of the what was going on in Salem, Massachusetts toward the end of the 17th Century: The Story of the Witch Hunt. While watching the video, please consider the following questions:

How did intolerance affect the daily life of the citizens of Salem?

What element(s) of Salem's society allowed for intolerance?

Also, you may need to install Flash Player which can be found here: http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

Citizens of Salem

Below, in alphabetical order, are some brief biographies of those involved in the infamous Salem Witch Trials. Make sure to familiarize yourself with your role. Additional trial and biographical information may be found at Discovery Education, Famous American Trials, The Salem Transcription Project, and Salem Witch Trials Facts.

Bridget Bishop

Bridget Bishop, also known as the witch with the scarlet bodice, was three times widowed throughout her lifetime. Bridget had been thought to have bewitched all three of her husbands – Goodman Wasslebee, Thomas Oliver, and Edward Bishop.

Bridget was often described as a “poor and friendless old women” and had been found to possess puppets and dolls with headless pins in them, which were known to be used in black magic at the time. She was also accused of making money disappear, making holes in the road appear, and making nighttime visits to men.

Bridget was charged with witchcraft in April of 1692. She was believed to be between 55 and 60 years old. Then, after a short trial, in June Bridget was hanged on the top of Gallows Hill, alone.

George Burroughs

George Burroughs graduated from Harvard College in 1670 and had bounced around a lot between Casco, Maine and the Village of Salem between 1676 and 1683. After being driven out of Casco by Indians and leaving Salem after a salary dispute with John Putnam, he settled in Wells, Maine. There he was given 150 acres of land and served as a non-ordained minister for nine years until he was arrested for Witchcraft and taken back to Salem on May 4th to stand trial. His arrest “constituted the most dramatic escalation of judicial action during the early phases of the trials.” He was tried on August 5th just three months later and hanged on August 17th along with three other men and one other woman, all supposed witches.

Burroughs was said to be the “ringleader of them all” and there was said to be no shortage of testimony that he was a witch. Some even testified that he was a “conjurer” which was above a witch. There were many damaging testimonies against Burroughs by Abigail Hobbs who claimed he’d given her magic dolls, and Mercy Lewis who claimed Burroughs “carried me up to an exceeding high mountain and showed me all the kingdoms of the earth and told me that he would give them all to me if I would write in his book,” yet the most damaging of all was by several confessed witches who identified him as “Satan’s personal representative at Salem’s Sabbaths.” The purpose of these testimonies was to convince the magistrates that they had finally found one of the most prominent figures in the diabolical operations. Furthermore, the majority of the testimonies focused on his typical mistreatment of his wives and uncanny physical strength. Ann Putnam, John Putnam’s wife, stated she was visited by two of Burroughs’ deceased wives who claimed they were mistreated by him. Despite having a relatively small stature he was said to have “superhuman strength.” It was even said that he had been able to run faster than a horse and had carried a whole barrel of molasses a great distance; all of which were deemed impossible by a mere mortal.

Even though there was sufficient evidence against him, historical records have stated he had many character traits that were uncommon for a wizard (a male witch). There is some "evidence that he was self-denying, generous, and public spirited, laboring with humility and with zeal” and "he was an able, intelligent, true-minded man; ingenuous, sincere, humble in his spirit, faithful and devoted as a minister, and active, generous and disinterested as a citizen." All of which are character traits relatively not associated with a witch. As a result, thirty-two citizens of the Salem Village signed a petition for Burroughs innocence. One of his former accusers even said that her testimony was all out of fear. Still, despite all of this, it was no use and he was to be hanged. While awaiting the noose, Burroughs perfectly recited the Lord’s Prayer, which was something impossible for a witch. The people watching began pleading for them to let Burroughs go and begged for his pardon. However, he was hanged before the spectators could organize their opposition.

Roughly twenty years after Burroughs was hanged, his children were given monetary compensation from the government for their father's wrongful execution.

Dorcas (Dorothy) Good

Dorcas was the five year old daughter of Sarah and William Good. Both Dorcas and her mother were accused of practicing witchcraft in Salem at the very beginning of the Salem witch trials in 1692. Dorcas was interrogated by local magistrates (judges), confessed to being a witch and incriminated her mother. Dorcas was forced to testify against her mother, saying she was a witch and had seen her mother consorting with the devil.

Mary Walcott and Anne Putnam Jr. claimed she was deranged, and repeatedly bit them as if she were an animal. Dorcas received a brief hearing in which the accusers repeatedly complained of bites on their arms. She was then convicted and sent to jail, becoming at age five the youngest person to be jailed during the Salem Witch Trials. Two days later, she was visited by Salem officials. She claimed she owned a snake—given to her by her mother—that would talk to her and suck the blood from her finger. She showed the judges the bite, most likely a flea bite. The officials took this to mean it was her "familiar," which is defined as a witch’s spiritual servant.

Dorcas was in custody for nearly 9 months until she was released on bond. She was never indicted or tried. After being released from jail several months later, she suffered from psychological issues for the remainder of her life.