M3

John Smith

HIS122

Professor Cynthia Krutsinger

January 1, 2017

Thesis: The trial of Tituba and her claims to witchcraft set the precedent for future arrests and

trials under the allegation of witchcraft. The hysteria surrounding her case was a major catalyst

for the period of time known as the Salem Witch Trials.

Outline:

I) Introduction

II) Background information to the life and crimes of Tituba.

A) A section on Tituba’s life as a slave taken from Barbados.

B) Betty and her cousin, Abigail, experienced strange pains and fits that they claimed to be

caused by Tituba.

C) Evidence of Betty and Abigail’s claims incorporated from the testimony at Tituba’s trial. III) The circumstances surrounding the trial.

A) People began coming forward claiming Tituba practiced voodoo and fortune telling.

1) Evidence of these claims from testimony at her trial.

B) Next will be a description of the racial xenophobia of America at that time.

1) Background evidence of the racial laws and xenophobia from secondary sources.

C) A description of Puritan culture and their belief in living a pure simple life with no time

or mercy for their sins or the sins of others and the belief that no sin should go

unpunished.

1) Evidence from Puritan laws and sermons from 17th century New England.

D) There was a distinct lack of rights due to the fact Tituba is a black slave.

E) Tituba’s testimony claimed the Devil made her do it and that other of her friends had

bewitching powers.

1) Evidence from Tituba’s testimony and the accusations against her. IV) The historical effects of the trial that show the precedent set.

A) Tituba’s confessions to being a witch and ability to do other worldly things legitimized

the already existing suspicions of early Salem colonists about witchcraft especially due to

racial and classist prejudices of the people at that time. Her being a black slave possessed

by the Devil played to their pre-existing suspicions of all black people and all slaves as

being the Devil’s minions.

B) Tituba’s very public trial sparked the idea that the Devil was now living in Salem and

could possibly be possessing anyone.

C) Thus began the Salem Witch Trials of many other people who were claimed by those

surrounding them to have demonic power.

V) Conclusion including a reiteration of the thesis and proof.