What made all of this worse is that the courts allowed for spectral evidence to be used in court and multiple people were wronged and sentenced to death. These trials and wrongful deaths are what made up the Salem Witch Trials, these causes are to the blame for this sad historical
When these women of Salem Massachusetts started to do witchcraft and pass it on to other people they were put on trial for their actions, which at the time was, illegal. It had caught on all over England and was spreading fast. Arthur Miller made a play called the Crucible that was about the Salem witchcraft trials. Arthur miller took the historical accounts and changed them to be suitable for the play. The crucible had many alterations to the historical documents that took place in1962 which were in the characters, the historical differences, and why the theme of history was changed.
What made all of this worse was that the courts allowed for spectral evidence to be used in court and multiple people were wronged and sentenced to death. These trials and wrongful deaths are what made up the Salem Witch Trials, these causes are to blame for this tragic historical
The Salem Witch Trails A dark time in American history could be easily recognized in the chaos and mass hysteria stirred up during the Salem Witch Trials in 1692, when many people lost their lives due to crazed accusations and extremist religious beliefs. Today Salem is known as the home of The Salem Witch Trails. Many people visit places like Gallows Hill and the House where they held the accusation meetings. Salem’s rich history makes it a very popular tourist attraction today. All the chaos began when a few young girls began having strange fits.
Between people constantly worrying of who was next to be accused to the continuous conversation about the afflicted, hysteria creeped up upon the people of Salem. In both novels does the usage of hysteria enhance the plot. In I Walk in Dread, Deliverance, the protagonist of the story, is just one example of a person caught up in the drama of the witch trials. In the beginning of the novel, Mem, sister of Deliverance, and Deliverance were very close, as Mem was sick. This obviously was occurring before the craziness of the witch trials.
The events that took place in Salem in 1692 are a part of a greater pattern throughout our history to persecute innocent people, especially women, as "witches." According to the history channel there was a story where three young women were accused of witchcraft. They were brought in front of the magistrates Jonathan Corwin and John Hathorne who questioned them. on the day of the trial the accusers were screaming and withering in pain yet two of the three withes pled not guilty . While the last women pled guilty likely thinking that she would save herself from conviction by ratting out the other people.
The Salem Witch Trials began when Betty Paris, Abigail Williams, and some of their friends began to act strange with odd fits (Hall 1). Because many mental and emotional disorders were not understood, the people of Salem believed it was the work of witchcraft. When sickness or even misfortune came, the most Bednar 2 sensible reason was witchcraft (Godbeer 28). The Salem Witch Trials were a prime example of the prejudice in early America with the different personal lives and beliefs (Adams 26). The prejudice and panic caused much instability in the Salem comm... ... middle of paper ... ...n in Salem.
After discovering about witch hunts time and time again one begins to wonder why there have been so many witch hunts all over the world in all different times. Many experts believe that the causes of witch hunts, no matter what time period, is the result of “everyone is looking for someone to blame” (Shermer) for the troubles in their lives when they cannot take the responsibility themselves. The most distinguished witch hunt took place in 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts. Salem in 1692 was occupied by the Puritans who held a very strict moral code. In spite of this the people still committed sins.
Talk of witchcraft quieted down, and the town went back about its business. However, the Salem witch trials will always be a mark in our nation’s history. They show just how far judgments and suspicion can go, and the extreme consequences they cause. People have always been criticized, mocked, and judged for their differences, and the Salem witch trials are an example of our injustices.
The different motivations and reasons for witch accusations are exhibited in the fitting the profile of a witch, the belief in the accusers and guilt by association, the actions of the Putnam family, and the disagreements and discourse in the community. The trial of Bridget Bishop shows how people who fit the general profile of a witch can be accused. Karlsen points out that Bridget Bishop had been previously accused of witchcraft in the 1680’s the decade before the trials.1 People who where accused of witchcraft where generally suspected of being witches before they are brought to trial. Because of her prior accusation the idea that Bridget Bishop could be a witch is in the mind of the community. Because of the prior accusation Bishop is a prime candidate to be accused again and a prime suspect whenever witchcraft is suspected in the community.