The Salem Witch Trials Of 1692 Is One Of The Biggest Events

The Salem Witch Trials were a time of paranoia and mass hysteria. In this small town of Massachusetts hundreds were accused of witchcraft and 19 people were executed. Salem was home to very devout Puritans. The worries arrived when young girls would become sick with no explanation or cure. The doctors not knowing what the cause of the illness was, quickly pronounce the girls bewitched. It spread terror through the town. The girls, as well as other residents, started accusing others of witchery. Many accusations were because of vengeance or self-interest. There were rivalries between families over land or wealth. Neighbors started accusing each other in order to gain their land. The religious community had an intensified sense of fear that the Devil was walking among them. They believed witches were out to destroy the Puritans. In order to purify the village of evil they had trials for the accused.

Once a person was accused of witchcraft, he or she had to be put to the

The Salem witchcraft trials resulted from a climate of repression, religious intolerance, and social hierarchy combined with fanaticism and the oppression of women. The Puritan leaders used the trials as a way to control the community and to prevent change in the strict social hierarchy. The trials ensured that the teachings of the church would be followed - anyone not following the church was simply accused of being a witch and punished accordingly. Witchcraft was considered a crime, and punishment was severe. The first recorded incidents of Witchcraft originated in the mind of a young girls who would supposedly use crystal balls to try and predict their future.

Salem Witch Trials The Salem Witch Trials play a major role in the history of the late 1600’s. The people and their actions involved have changed the face of Salem today. The term witchcraft is defined as the practice of magic intended to influence nature. It is believed that only people associated with the devil can perform such acts.

The infamous witch trials were a serious of trails and executions of people accused of witchcraft; the belief in or practice of magical skills and abilities that can be practiced or exercised by individuals and specific social groups (Linder 1). The Salem Witch Trials began in February of 1692 and lasted all the way until May of 1693. The trials resulted in the death of at least twenty-five people; nineteen executed by hanging, one tortured to death, and at least five died (including two infants) in jail due to harsh conditions. Hundreds of others accused of witchcraft and dozens weakened in jail for months without trials (Ray 1). The true cause of the Salem Witch trials is unknown and does not have a simple answer, but a major

The Salem witch trials were a dark time in American history. It all started when Reverend Parris’ daughter and niece were acting strangely after spending time with Parris’ slave Tituba. For example, “They were believed to have danced a black magic dance in the nearby woods. Several of the girls would fall to the floor and scream hysterically” (“Witchcraft in Salem”). Parris then believed that Tituba along with two other women had bewitched his daughter and niece, thus starting the witch hunt.

In the Salem Witch Trials of 1690s, many men and women were accused of being

In 1662, America’s first witchcraft hysteria trials were beginning to form (Klein). In Hartford, Connecticut a married couple, John and Bethia Kelly were mourning their late daughter, Elizabeth (Durell). She was only eight years old when she fell suddenly ill and passed away (Durell). Elizabeth Kelly’s parents blame the neighbor, Goody Ayres of possessing her the night before she brought her home (Miller). Mr. Kelly reputed his daughter screaming, “Father! Father! Help me, help me! Goodwife Ayres is upon me (Miller). She chokes me (Miller). She kneels on my belly (Miller). She will break my bowels (Miller). She pinches me (Miller). She will make me black and blue” (Miller). That very statement sent the town into a panic, people began pointing fingers at their friends and spouses (Durell). One frightened girl, Ann Cole started to have seizures and stated Rebecca Greensmith

The Salem witch trials were based on the Puritans' belief in the conflict between God and Satan. Puritans had always believed that they were the new chosen people, abandoning a land of sin and oppression to establish the Promised Land. In the small town of Salem, Massachusetts, a town existing most of the Puritans, any sign, word, or even thought of the devil was considered immoral. One evening, many girls were found dancing, naked in the woods, with incriminating devil worshiping paraphernalia. When discovered they were accused of practicing witchcraft. The rumor of possible witches in Salem quickly spread throughout the community. Three girls Abigail ,Tituba, and Mary Warren caused mass hysteria in Salem through their alleged wrongdoings. The people of Salem were in uncertain times. Just a year earlier a witch in the nearby town of Beverly was executed and now the witch hysteria had spread to their village. Confused, the people didn't know who to blame whether it be the girls, the negro slave, or even the Devil himself. The deception of the witches of Salem was beginning. ... There

In 1692 Salem, Massachusetts witnessed a time changing event. When the niece and daughter of Reverend Parris fell ill with tantrums, the doctor could not find anything physically wrong with them and mentioned that they may be possessed. Shortly after this diagnosis two of the girls who were afflicted named three women who were the cause of the girl’s issues. The three women named were Tituba, Sarah Good, and Sarah Osburn. These

The Salem Witch Trials were held in Salem, Massachusetts during the end of 1692 and the beginning of 1693. These were a series of trials and prosecutions of suspected witches. Most of these supposed witches were women but some were men. These people were accused of making local children ill by practicing witchcraft. The children claimed to be possessed by the devil and gave names of witches who did this to them. This struck a fear through the whole town. Everyone became scared of being named a witch. After the witches were accused, there were trials in the courtroom to determine their guilt. If they were found guilty, they were punished. The majority of the retributions were by hanging, some also died in jail, and one was stoned to death. This

The accusations began on January 20, 1692, when Reverend Parris, the Puritan minister of Salem, noticed strange behavior from his nine-year old daughter, Elizabeth, and his eleven-year-old niece, Abigail Williams (Blumberg 5). The two children started showing odd conduct including yelling vulgar words and going into dazes. Parris contacted the local physician, William Griggs, but he was unable to find out what was wrong with the children. Griggs suspected some demonic behavior from the children, so Parris spoke with other ministers. Not even a day

This started the hysterical beginning of the Salem Witch trials, which resulted in many women, men, and children being accused of practicing witchcraft. Out of the one hundred fifty people accused in Salem, twenty of them were executed as witches, while others rotted away and died in jail. The people of Salem did not discriminate who they executed or who they sent to jail so the result was a diverse range of citizens being accused.

There were many so called tests that would prove if someone was a witch or not. The most common way was eye witness testimonies which is where someone would tell the council that they saw someone practicing black magic. That would be enough for the accused to be arrested and tried for witchcraft even if they did no such thing. Another way was bound submersion which is where

The Salem Witch Trials took place during 1691 and 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts. Over 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft resulting in 20 people being executed. Many religions during this time period believed that the Devil was able to give certain people the power to harm people. These trails ultimately began when the Reverend’s daughter, age 9 and his niece, age 11 started having “fits.” During these episodes they would scream, throw things, make strange