Between February 1962 and May 1693, a series of executions, known as the Salem Witch Trials, occurred in Salem, Massachusetts. One of the most infamous cases of mass hysteria, the trials resulted in accusations being brought against around 200 people, 19 of whom were found guilty and executed. The motivations behind these hearings serve as a subject of debate among historians. Puritan beliefs held by the residents of Salem resulted in an extreme fear of witchcraft for nearly every member of the village
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spectral evidence themselves was the central problem in the trials. Apparitions of demons were invisible to other people in the same room and only the afflicted girls could see the shapes, which was one of the problem with spectral evidence. The possibility that Satan could appear in the shape of an innocent person was another concern. Confessions were vigorously sought to overcome these obstacles. One thing I noticed in the Salem witch trials is that the defendants who confessed were generally not hanged
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1.In Cotton Mather’s Accounts of the Salem Witch Trials Susanna Martin was charged with witchcraft under many accounts. A few of these accusations included causing a cow to become untame, possessing a cat to choke a man she had a dispute with, and predicting the death of a seemingly perfectly healthy cow; However one of the most prominent claims in this trial was from Joseph Rings. Rings claimed to have been taken by demons to many witch séances. He claimed to have witnessed Susannah Martin attending
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In the case of Thomas Brown and the Salem Witch Trial is viewed legally because of the of the laws that were required of the process. The whole outcome of the trial is politically legal due to the adultery, lying, heresy and going against the government. In The General Law and Liberties Concerning the Inhabitants of the Massachusetts section of Adultery, it says, “If any person commit ADULTERY with a married or espoused wife”. This connects to John Proctor who was not religious as the community
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The article, "Remembering the Victims of the Salem Witch Executions" is a brief history of the Salem Witch Trials and it's importance. The trials began in the late 1600s because two girls, Elizabeth Parris and Abigail Williams, claimed to be possessed by witches.This caused a massive witch hunt throughout the town of Salem. Over 200 were accused and more than 20 were killed as a result. Most of the people accused were people that challenged the norms of society, such as being too unladylike, and
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While there are many people to blame for the salem witch trials, Judge Danforth, Tituba, and Abigail Williams are the most guilty for causing the trials. Judge Danforth was one person to blame for what happened in Salem. He was the main judge for deciding if the people are guilty of witchery. Danforth had a huge influence on the townspeople he put them on trial and forced them to admit the worshipping of Satan when they were innocent. Danforth is guilty of believing complete lies, pressuring people
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In The Crucible, the witch trials were a major point of focus. There are numerous acts that needed to happen to lead to the witch trials and the ending of the novel. Girls in Salem had countless expectations, including the expectation to be perfect children. They were trained, even as children, to act like mature adults. The problem is that when a child is forced to act like an adult at such a young age, but aren’t treated as adults, they may feel ignored. When a child is ignored, they
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a play written by Arthur Miller about the Salem Witch Trials dating back to 1692. During that time many people, specifically young girls became sick with an unknown illness, and many accusers blamed the illnesses on the work of the devil. The Salem Witch Trials was a series of accusations and prosecutions of many people who were believed to be involved in witchcraft. There were at least 20 people, innocent or guilty, executed for the claim of being a witch. Although the theory is not proven, no one
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During the Salem Witch trials many disastrous events occurred. The “mass hysteria” of the people during those times can be logically explained scientifically. One may be a symptoms may be “ergot” which causes hallucinations. Another, is that the girls just simply wanted attention. Last, is that the stories they read could have influenced the girls to believe in something that isn’t true. Every actions can be explain logically and factual. The events in Salem Witch Trial may be unnatural and weird
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It is clear that Salem Witch trials played a role, on the way our legal system has improved. The actions that were taken during trials were done quickly without any evidence supporting the accusations being made, meanwhile with trials that we have today our juries take their time to review each case and evidence. This is done to ensure that no innocent person has to pay the time of a crime that they did not commit, unlike Salem Witch trials where innocent people were killed. My questions is why
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