Salem Witch Trials Research Paper

Words: 2089
Pages: 9

Close-mindedness and ignorance always lead to pain and misunderstanding. Between 1692 and mid-1693, a mass hysteria occurred in colonial Massachusetts. Over 200 innocent civilians were accused of witchcraft, and 19 were brutally executed. This hysteria later became known as the Salem Witch Trials. While there have been many witchcraft episodes throughout history, the one that affected Salem Village was much different. It lasted much longer, jailed more suspects, condemned and executed more people, ranged over more territory, and afterwards was quickly repudiated by the government as a colossal mistake. After a fifteen-month period spanning twenty-four towns, 162 people were arrested, fifty-four confessed, twenty-eight convictions were made, twenty people were put to …show more content…
Puritans were English Protestants who wished to reform and purify the Church of England of what they considered to be unacceptable residues of Roman Catholicism. They believed the Bible offered a rigid code of conduct and that it was the authentic word of God. Therefore, they adhered to it strictly and severely punished anyone who disobeyed. For example, a couple who were accused of adultery had to stand “upon the ladder at the place of execution with halters about necks one hour, and then to be whipped, or each of them pay 20 pounds'' (Rozakis, 2).Witchcraft is condemned multiple times throughout the Bible, which augmented the severity of the Salem Witch Trials. For example, Leviticus 19:31 states, “Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God and in Leviticus 20:6 it says “I will set my face against anyone who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute themselves by following them, and I will cut them off from their people.” These verses, among others, fueled Puritans’ hatred for witchcraft. Reverend Samuel Parris openly preached against