1693

1693 was a year in the late 17th century marked by ongoing European warfare, imperial expansion, and religious and political developments across several continents. It occurred within the broader context of the Nine Years' War (1688–1697) in Europe, with competing powers seeking to balance territorial gains and influence. In Asia, the Qing and Ottoman realms continued to consolidate power, while colonial empires in the Americas and Africa expanded their networks of trade and settlement.

In Europe, fighting continued despite periodic truces, with military operations tied to frontier defense, alliances, and shifting balances of power among major kingdoms. Naval power remained a key element of strategy, as England, the Dutch Republic, France, and their allies sought advantage at sea and ashore. The war's pressures contributed to political and fiscal decisions that would shape policy for years to come.

In North America, the Salem witch trials of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and surrounding settlements moved toward their conclusion. In 1693 authorities began to dismantle the special judicial procedures used during the crisis and released many of the accused, a development that contributed to broader reassessments of legal procedure and public suspicion in the colony.

In science and culture, scholarly activity persisted in European academies and other centers of learning. The period continued to see the exchange of ideas through journals, correspondence, and provincial and imperial networks, reflecting the era’s persistent interest in natural philosophy, law, theology, and exploration despite ongoing political upheaval.