A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the Failure of Leadership

With Dr. Tad Baker

The 1692 Salem trials are infamous for being the greatest witch hunt in American history. What led to these disastrous events? As Dr. Tad Baker explained, it took a perfect storm of factors, including religious discord, political factionalism, the worst weather of the century, and an abject failure of leadership.

In this talk, Dr. Baker unpacked the decisions made by Massachusetts leaders, including Salem’s local ministers, the panel of nine judges who heard the trial, and the governor who appointed them. As a professor of history at Salem State University and an expert on the trials, Dr. Baker untangled the tragic tale of Salem’s witchcraft hysteria.

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