Liazos, ArianeShoemaker, Stephen P.Brady, Brigid O'Rourke2026-07-2320262026-07-232026Brady, Brigid O'Rourke. 2026. Moral Courage and Principled Leadership: Examining Voices of Dissent in Witchcraft Trials Throughout Seventeenth Century New England. Masters Thesis, Harvard University Division of Continuing Education.32788954https://p2p8-sa-zuvru-a9vusux.re-cotta.com/handle/1/42745555More than 300 years ago, colonial New England experienced a surge of witchcraft accusations. For centuries, countless historians have examined these outbreaks and posited why they happened. However, in contrast, this thesis is concerned with how the witchcraft trials ended. On several occasions over a few short decades, communities in New England were upended by accusations, trials and in some cases, executions. And then…they weren’t. Why is that? What changed? Hundreds of men, women and children were accused of witchcraft in seventeenth century New England. A few dozen people were executed. Many believed that ridding the colonies of witches was vital to protecting God’s kingdom on earth. But a few individuals in positions of power, as well as other ordinary residents, recognized that innocent people were being unjustly condemned, and took actions to make it stop. Studies exist that touch on the various incidents of resistance, but none examine the opposition collectively. None scrutinizes the reasons why and how the trials ended, and specifically, how the endings differed from each other. By examining this deficit further, this thesis evaluates the prevailing characterization of moral courage at the time of the trials, situated within the conventional Puritan landscape. By exploring who was willing to stand up to established beliefs to ensure that the trials and executions ended, I in turn am able to ascertain the various characteristics those individuals possessed and exhibited that others did not. Through a careful examination of contemporary documents, we begin to see an evolution of the thinking surrounding calling for an end to the trials and the stark differences between the endings in Salem, and those elsewhere in New England. In many cases we read, in their own words, the growing arguments against the injustices. We can see the slow trickle with which they began, and the more resounding crescendo as public opinion began to change. Collectively these documents allow us to piece together a more comprehensive and cohesive understanding of those courageous enough, and in some cases empowered enough, to help bring about an end to one of our nation’s most infamous atrocities.application/pdfenAmerican historyThesis or Dissertation2026-07-23