Dbq Salem Witch Trials

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This is one of the most tragic events to happen in colonial America. The year was 1692 in Salem Massachusetts, and hysteria and fear have now replaced logic and good reason as it seemed. It started when the daughter and niece of Reverend Samuel Parris of Salem Village became ill. When they failed to improve, the village doctor, William Griggs, was called in. His diagnosis of bewitchment put into motion the forces that would ultimately result in the death by hanging of nineteen men and women. In addition, one man was crushed to death; seven others died in prison, and the lives of many were irrevocably changed.
It appears that 4 out of 5 accused are women and the accusations of witchcraft grow in number daily. People believe that accused women are possessed by a demon or Satan himself. Being Puritan, is being very religious and knowing the scripture by heart. Exodus Chapter 22 Verse 8 says, "You shall not allow a sorceress to live.” So people of Salem put this into practice many times. The people of Salem were also so strong in their religious beliefs that in order to not be executed for the crime all you had to do was to admit your guilt to witchcraft but due to religious beliefs many would not do so. …show more content…

In 1487 the Malles Maleficarum was written by Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger, and was first published in Germany. Its main purpose was to challenge all arguments against the argument of witchcraft and to instruct the magistrates on how to identify, interrogate and convict witches. The book stated that all witches should have the devils mark so this led to many women getting stripped of their clothes and examined for such marks. Using this guide and the testimony of young girls there are many who are falsely accused and convicted. Many are persecuted and accused even with the smallest amount of

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