Exploring Explanations for the Salem Witch Trials

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Between the years of 1692 and early 1693 in the colonial Massachusetts Bay colony of Essex known as Salem Village great paranoia broke out in the form of witchcraft accusations, neighbor against neighbor, and as a result much injustice was done. During this time in our nation’s history at this place more than one hundred and fifty people, residents of Salem Village, were accused of practicing witchcraft and consorting with the devil. At least twenty were put to death nineteen by hanging and one man by laying stones on him until his body was crushed under the weight. Eventually the governing authorities admitted the trials were a mistake and compensated the families of those convicted. Exploration of the possible reasons why these events occurred even now three hundred years later still beguile the popular imagination as stated in A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials (Blumberg 1). King William’s War and land greed may have played a great role in effecting the colonist judgment. Social pressures may have brought about these events. Food poisoning by ergot is also one of the venues of discussion regarding the behaviors that lead to the trials. In attempting to piece this puzzle together regarding the conditions which lead to the Salem Witch trials we seem to find more questions than solid answers, however in the study of colonial life we may just find some answers to our own bigotry as well as see a mirror image regarding modern events such as the McCarthy communism trials of the 1950’s. Superstition and suspicion were very relevant to the events that took place in Salem 1692. The witchcraft craze in Europe had lasted from 1300 until the late 1600’s with executions numbered in th... ... middle of paper ... ...ked it’s havoc on the community of Salem. In all, nineteen people were executed, most but not all were residents of Salem Village some were from Andover as well as Ipswich. Hanged on June 10 Bridget Bishop, Hanged on July 19 Sarah Good, Rebecca Nurse, Susannah Martin, Elizabeth How, Sarah Wilds, Hanged on August 19 George Burroughs, John Proctor, John Willard, George Jacobs, Sr., Martha Carrier, September 19, Giles Corey pressed to death, Hanged on September 22 Martha Corey, Mary Eastey, Alice Parker, Ann Pudeater, Margaret Scott, Wilmott Reed, Samuel Wardwell Mary Parker, Other accused witches that were not hanged, but died in prison: Sarah Osborne, Roger Toothaker, Lyndia Dustin, and finally, Ann Foster. .Thirteen others may have also died in prison but sources disagree on the exact number. The Salem witchcraft papers, Volume 2 (pg53)

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