The Cause And Causes Of The Salem Witch Trials
explanatory Essay
1746 words
1692 was a tragic year for the people of Salem. The events that took place in 1692 would prove to be a turning point for not only the people of Salem but the rest of pilgrim towns in The New World. What set the trials in motion is still partially a mystery. Whatever the cause, it is known that the results of the trials were inhumane and brutal. Over thirteen people were sentenced to death during the witch trials. These trials were a set of accusations and arguments set in rapid succession, resulting in mass hysteria and the conviction of over 200 men and women. For this paper, I will be delving into the causes and results of the brutal Salem witch trials, and what affect it had on the pilgrim towns in early America. The trials begin in the …show more content…
In this essay, the author
- Explains that 1692 was a tragic year for the people of salem and the pilgrim towns in the new world. the brutal witch trials resulted in mass hysteria and convictions.
- Narrates how a launderer named ann "goody" glover was caught stealing laundry, and an argument broke out between goody and martha goodwin, one of the residents. martha became unexplainably ill.
- Narrates how tituba, reluctant witch of salem, attempted to assist elizabeth parris by baking a witch cake to aid in her affliction.
- Narrates how salem's citizens were accused of witchcraft and samuel parris beat her until she confessed. the town was sent into chaos and believed that satan was among them.
- Narrates how ann putnam jr., who lived with the family, started to behave strangely. rebecca nurse was accused of afflicting the children.
- Explains that john proctor's wife, elizabeth, was accused of witchcraft, and mary walcott and abigail williams convinced the jury that both john and his wife were guilty.
- Analyzes how giles cory's trial was brutal. he thought he found a loophole in the law that prevented him from cheating justice.
- Explains that the salem witch trials ended in october 1692, when governor phipps banned ghostly evidence from the trials. judge stoughton ordered the execution of all suspected witches.
- Explains that the time period during the trials was heavily influenced by the bible. some speculate that a group of young girls was looking for attention and acted out.
- Explains that land was of the utmost importance to early settlers, and people would not easily give it up. a feud between land could easily turn brutal.
- Explains that ergot is a sneaky fungus which infects the ever plentiful rye. when ingested, it causes twisting or contorting, pain, shaking and trembling, spasms, confusion, delusions, and hallucinations.
- Explains that the trials marked a change of both religious and governmental power. puritans believed that everything from not attending church, to working crops on sunday, deserved punishment.
- Opines that the year 1692 is not easily forgotten. it took only one event to lead to an explosive chain reaction causing many to die and hundreds to be accused of witchcraft.
The new Governor Phipps orders that spectral, or ghostly, evidence could no longer be admitted in the trials. He also prohibited further arrests. In order to counter Phipps attempts to stop the trials, a superior court was formed and all the remaining witches were tried. Judge Stoughton ordered the execution of all suspected witches, however, Phipps denied enforcement of the order, and caused Judge Stoughton to leave the bench. 49 of the 52 survivors were brought into court and released because their arrests were based on spectral evidence. Among those in jail, Tituba was released and sold to a new master. Phipps soon pardoned all those in jail on witchcraft charges. This marked the end of the Salem Witch …show more content…
To early settlers, land was a new life starting from scratch. Land was golden to them. And people would not easily give it up. A feud between land could easily turn brutal. Such may have been the case with the Nurse family and the Putnam family. The more powerful Putnam family could have been looking for a way to end a land dispute with the Nurse family in their favor. The would have likely thought that they would somehow get someone to accuse Rebecca Nurse, have her executed, receive a plot of land, and move on. Obviously things got out of hand as soon as a single person was
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- salem witchcraft trials cause and effectanalytical essayIn 1692 the area of Salem town and Salem village became very vulnerable to conflict. Severe weather such as hurricanes had damaged land and crops, the effects of King Phillips War began to impact New England society, and colonists were being forced off of the frontiers by Native peoples. The Church and the government were in heavy conflict. And those residing in Salem began to grow suspicious of one another when some prospered and others hadn’t (Marcus, p13).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that salem became vulnerable to conflict in 1692. hurricanes damaged land and crops, the king phillips war affected new england society, and colonists were forced off the frontiers by native peoples.
- Narrates how people became paranoid and began accusing each other of witchcraft in salem between 1691 and 1692.
- Explains that witch trials were not uncommon in puritanical new england, but none had reached epidemic proportions as salem.
- Explains that by 1692 the young girls had continued to make false accusations of townspeople, many of whom were more prominent than others.
- Analyzes how the hysteria between people and families crumbled as children accused parents and friends pointed out friends. the fact that these people did not have freedom of speech and were proven guilty without any tangible evidence caused even more
- Analyzes the salem witch trials as an excessive representation of the social and economic changes taking place in new england at this time.
- Opines that the salem witch trials of the 1690's had an immense impact on american history.
- Describes the works of boyer, paul, clark, clifford e., et. al. in the enduring vision: ahistory of the american people.
586 wordsRead More - The Salem Witch Trialsanalytical essayDuring the early winter of 1692 two young girls became inexplicably ill and started having fits of convulsion, screaming, and hallucinations. Unable to find any medical reason for their condition the village doctor declared that there must be supernatural forces of witchcraft at work. This began an outbreak of hysteria that would result in the arrest of over one hundred-fifty people and execution of twenty women and men. The madness continued for over four months.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that some believed that puritan beliefs were behind the salem witch hunt, while others attributed it to petty jealousies within the community.
- Explains that the putnam family was one of the most prominent families in salem village. they voted to honor reverend samuel parris' demands and award him the ministry house, barn, and two acres of land.
- Analyzes the causes of the witch trials of salem, massachusetts. the puritans were englishmen who chose to separate from the church of england.
- Argues that the rifts and animosities contributed to rising tensions, but the village's grain may have a bearing on erratic behaviors of the residents.
2023 wordsRead More - Causes of the Salem Witch Trialsanalytical essayFrom the beginning of time there has been conflict between the views of different people and their different groups. Conflict has brought prejudice and fear into communities around the world. As conflict is an inescapable part of any society, it can be expected to extend to the greatest impact possible. The Salem Witch Trials are one such conflict. This conflict caused many to be accused, arrested, and killed. Because of social, economic, religious, and physical problems within the community, Salem Village was present with prejudice and panic causing the Salem Witch Trials.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that encephalitis lethargica is a virus that is known to lay dormant for months before becoming active.
- Argues that ergot or encephalitis lethargica caused the accusations, though many believe that both ailments affect both males and females.
- States that adams, gretchen a., "the specter of salem." oah magazine of history, july 2003: 24-27.
- Describes the salem witch trials as one of the worst times in american history.
- Explains that the salem witch trials were a prime example of prejudice in early america with the different personal lives and beliefs.
- Analyzes how the girls began fortune-telling with tituba, reverend parris’ west indian slave, for excitement during the winter of 1691-1692.
- Analyzes how the salem witch trials started because of the poor status of women in the puritan religion.
- Explains that the church was a huge part of the accusations because the idea of witchcraft came from it.
- Explains that established religion and religious practices were more important than scientific determinations. the doctor examined the afflicted girls in 1692 and believed that witchcraft was the cause.
- Opines that hysteria is a condition caused by physical or psychological distress. the salem witch trials produced one of the darkest and most debated parts of american history.
- Analyzes how godbeer explained to students why accusations of witchcraft made good sense in seventeenth-century new england.
2019 wordsRead More - The Causes Of The Salem Witchcraft Trials Of 1692comparative essayYear 1692, Hundreds of people, accused with the conviction of witchcraft, stoned to death, or in confinement with no justice trials. “From June through September of 1692, nineteen men and women, all having been convicted of witchcraft, were carted to Gallows Hill, a barren slope near Salem Village, for hanging” (The Salem Witchcraft Trials of 1692) What caused the mass hysteria and disaster of Salem; for, the answer is unknown. Yet, many events and factors had contributed to the accusations, the punishments, and the confessions of the sentenced. Many colonists in Massachusetts were puritans, seeking religious tolerance. Ironically, the Puritan code was strict and disciplined. Dress was dictated to the church and the public were anticipated
In this essay, the author
- Explains that many events and factors contributed to the mass hysteria and disaster of salem.
- Explains that religious beliefs of the puritans had severely influenced the trials. they believed that the devil's presence lurked near, wars and disputes were occurring in the vicinity.
- Explains that the witch hunts occurred during an economic loss, when crops had failed and the population of livestock had dropped.
- Explains that personal disputes and arguments were underlying factors of the salem witch hunts. many accusers accused individuals who wronged them in the past.
- Explains that the accused during the salem witch hunts and trials were accused for not following puritan values, or they had low social and economic standing.
- Concludes that the witch hunts in salem were not about people practicing the black arts, but about religious differences, economic struggles, and personal jealousy and hate.
1230 wordsRead More - The History of the Salem Witchcraft Trialsexplanatory essayDuring the time of the Salem Witchcraft Trials of 1692, more than twenty people died an innocent death. All of those innocent people were accused of one thing, witchcraft. During 1692, in the small town of Salem, Massachusetts many terrible events happened. A group of Puritans lived in Salem during this time. They had come from England, where they were prosecuted because of their religious beliefs. They chose to come live in America and choose their own way to live. They were very strict people, who did not like to act different from others. They were also very simple people who devoted most of their lives to God. Men hunted for food and were ministers. Women worked at home doing chores like sewing, cooking, cleaning, and making clothes. The Puritans were also very superstitious. They believed that the devil would cause people to do bad things on earth by using the people who worshiped him. Witches sent out their specters and harmed others. Puritans believed by putting heavy chains on a witch, that it would hold down their specter. Puritans also believed that by hanging a witch, all the people the witch cast a spell on would be healed. Hysteria took over the town and caused them to believe that their neighbors were practicing witchcraft. If there was a wind storm and a fence was knocked down, people believed that their neighbors used witchcraft to do it. Everyone from ordinary people to the governor’s wife was accused of witchcraft. Even a pregnant woman and the most perfect puritan woman were accused. No one in the small town was safe. As one can see, the chaotic Salem Witchcraft Trials of 1692 were caused by superstition, the strict puritan lifestyle, religious beliefs, and hysteria.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the salem witchcraft trials of 1692 were caused by superstition, the strict puritan lifestyle, religious beliefs, and hysteria.
- Explains that puritan lifestyle was one reason that might have caused the witchcraft hysteria in salem.
- Explains that witchcraft began a long terrible time in the history of salem massachusetts.
- Explains that the salem witchcraft trials of massachusetts could have been caused by the superstition of puritans. they believed that witches could send out their specters.
- Explains that the court of oyer and terminer was set up because massachusetts's charter had left and they were waiting for a new one.
- Explains that the salem witchcraft trials were caused by superstition, the strict puritan lifestyle, religious beliefs, and hysteria.
- Explains that hysteria was a cause of the salem witchcraft trials.
- Narrates how giles corey's tongue rolled out of his mouth and he died. the afflicted girls of salem went crazy accusing people of witchcraft.
- Explains that the salem witchcraft trials were a terrible time in history. in 1962, governor phips ordered that no one else could be arrested because of witchcraft.
2587 wordsRead More - The Causes of the Salem Witch Trialsanalytical essayWhat caused the Salem Witch Trials? This question has been asked for hundreds of years, yet the world still isn't sure of the answer. The only statement that can be proven is that there were multiple causes (salemwitchtrials.com). No one factor pushed the trials into existence. Even simple things, like fear, took a part in the overall cause. To this day, scientists and researchers alike still argue over the answer to this riddling question.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that linnda caporael, a psychology major at u.c. santa barbara, did extensive research on the effects of ergot poisoning.
- Describes the causes of the salem witchcraft trials.
- Explains four theories about the salem witch trials – early 1690s.
- Analyzes the revenge in the salem witchcraft hysteria.
- Narrates the scribe's "salem witch trials- mass hysteria or mass lsd trip." ancient history blog.
- Explains what caused the salem witch trials.
- Explains that the salem witch trials were caused by hysteria, fear, and other factors.
- Explains that one persons theory takes into account scientific and historic research. ergot poisoning is caused by a fungus that grows on rye and other grains.
664 wordsRead More - In the book Witches! The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem, Rosalyn Schanzer describes what happens all because two girls fell ill. When Betty and Abigail started having fits, a doctor diagnosed them as bewitched. Almost immediately they accused the first witch, their slave Tituba. From there all the accusations started pouring out, Ann Putnam Jr., a friend of Betty and Abigail, became “afflicted” as well as multiple others, and soon the jails were overflowing. The first “witch” was hanged on June 10, and the last “witches/wizards” were hanged on September 22. The most likely reasons for the accusations were a thirst for revenge, boredom, and peer/parental pressure.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how rosalyn schanzer's book, witches! the absolutely true tale of disaster in salem, describes how betty and abigail were bewitched and accused tituba. ann putnam jr. became "afflicted" and the jails were overflowing.
- Analyzes how revenge is a motivation for aggression, psychological distress, and the philosophical discussion of punishment and justice in schanzer's witches!
- Explains that boredom was the second reason for these horrid accusations.
- Analyzes how parents influenced their children's decisions based on their own embitterment.
- Explains that the causes of the accusations in the infamous salem witch trials were revenge, boredom, and peer/parental influence.
761 wordsRead More - Side Effects Of The Salem Witch Trialsexplanatory essayThe Salem Witch Trials were a series of gruesome trials that began in Salem Massachusetts in 1692 and lasted until 1693. During that year, more than 200 Salem residents were accused and convicted of witchcraft, 19 of whom were hung for the crime (List of 5…). This was a bloody time for Salem that left many of its citizens broken and scared. Although the main cause for these trials seems to be fear from breaking the Partisan religion, Greed and revenge come in a close second. Not to mention, cold weather and disease which contributed highly to the outcome of the trials. It is imperative to recognize the mistakes of the citizens of Salem to ensure that such unjust trials never again happen. Not only that, but the trials show a purpose to continue to build a better government from the corrupted Partisan government of Salem.
In this essay, the author
- Describes the salem witch trials, a series of gruesome trials that began in 1692 and lasted until 1693.
- Explains that in salem, partisans lived by a strict moral code that, if abused in any way, would lead to severe punishment. anyone considered to have broken the code was believed to be working alongside the devil.
- Opines that the most compelling way people used to accuse others of witchcraft was revenge. people accused the innocent mainly because of unchecked greed and lust.
- Explains that a less vibrant cause of the salem witch trials was the town's cold weather, which caused crop failure and economic hard times.
- Explains that common diseases like ergot poisoning and mass hysteria led people to see witches during the salem witch trials.
- Explains that the salem witch trials were an unjust series of trials that spread fear and feelings of distrust throughout the country.
738 wordsRead More - The Falsely Accused Cause of The Salem Witch Trialsargumentative essayConvulsions, diarrhea, vomiting, skin discoloration, hallucinations, burning and cold sensations, coma, and death are all symptoms of convulsive ergot poisoning (Coll). Ergot poisoning was said to be the cause of the bewitched behavior of the afflicted girls during the Salem witch trials; however, convulsive ergotism only occurs in places lacking vitamin A, the symptoms of ergot were not present in the girls, and the girls were most likely faking all of the symptoms that they did have.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that convulsions, diarrhea, vomiting, skin discoloration, hallucinations, burning and cold sensation, coma, and death are all symptoms of ergot poisoning.
- Explains that gangrenous ergotism is contracted when there is plenty of vitamin a in the environment. the first bewitched girls were from wealthy families who could afford the vitamin rich foods.
- Explains that ergot is a hallucinogen and has an effect similar to that of lsd.
- Analyzes how the afflicted girls faking the "bewitched" symptoms suggests a social, rather than physiological explanation. the symptoms correspond to 16th-century english demoniacs' symptoms, later said to have been faked
- Concludes that ergot poisoning was a bunch of teenage girls pretending to be ill to get people in trouble.
- Cites glazer, myers, davies, and interests on ergotism in salem.
953 wordsRead More - It's What's on the Inside that Countsexplanatory essayThomas Putnam started and ended the witchcraft trials. He persuaded Parris to publicly announce that witchcraft was being practiced in Salem. He accused people of witchcraft, and made the trials drag along. He ended the trials by accusing a dignified and well respected member of society, Rebecca Nurse, of witchcraft. After such a pious woman was accused, the town began fearing that anybody could be accused of witchcraft. The hysteria that shrouded the thought's of Salem's citizens and caused the witch trails was dispelled, and the town had to contemplate whether or not any of the accused were actually witches.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that in 17th century salem, massachusetts, many young girls were experiencing these symptoms, and the townspeople were bewildered. thomas putnam, whose only child, ruth, was ill, insisted upon having witch trials.
- Explains that thomas putnam was a wealthy member of salem society, but he felt unloved by his father. he fought the pequot indians at narragansett, and helped protect his town.
- Explains that putnam and his wife, ann, were searching for answers as to why their children died. they convinced reverend parris to publicly announce the presence of witchcraft.
- Explains how putnam's daughter accuses his neighbors of witchcraft and gets their money. he feels compelled to make more money to show his father he does not need his wealth.
1115 wordsRead More