Salem Witch Trials Research Paper

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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

Salem Witch Trials Research Paper

In 1692, a small village in Massachusetts was trapped in a bubble of fear and paranoia, leading to one of the worst events in American history known as the Salem Witch Trials. This hysteria was caused by religious beliefs, social tensions, and revenge, resulting in the unfair accusations of innocent people. The Salem Witch Trials began when several young girls in the village started showing strange behavior, such as spasms and fits. Unable to explain these occurrences, the Puritan community became…

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Salem Witch Trials Research Paper

I have decided to research the hoax of the Salem Witch trials. This was something that started in the spring of 1962. It was a hoax that began because of a group of girls who claimed that they were being possessed by the devil. This led the people of Salem to begin to believe in witches. After this, the people of Salem started slowly believing in witches. People became paranoid and there the Salem Witch Trials began. Young innocent people were being charged with witchcraft and killed. People attempted…

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Salem Witch Trials Research Paper

took shape in the form of very strict ideals, including the belief that women should be submissive, uneducated, and silent. As rumors and accusations of nonconformity began, they gained yet another similarity with Europe- the witch hunt craze. In the 1690’s, the Salem witch trials sparked a wave of fear of witchcraft and nonconformity, which influenced stereotypical gender roles for future generations.…

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Salem Witch Trials Research Paper

being bewitched. A tale was created by the girls that spread from neighbor to neighbor, causing mass hysteria and chaos in the town of Salem. Later that year, over 150 men and women were imprisoned on the accusation of witchcraft. By the end of the trials, 19 people were unfairly hung and executed; it was the largest witch trial to occur in the U.S. The Salem Witch Trials were unfair executions of the innocent caused by hearsay and mass panic. Elizabeth Parris and Abigail Williams were born into wealthy…

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Salem Witch Trials Research Paper

colonial village of Salem, Massachusetts—present-day Danvers. It covers a little over eighteen square miles, and it boasts a population of forty-four thousand, four hundred, eighty inhabitants. It is a residential area that also possesses many historic landmarks that attract tourists (“Salem, Massachusetts”). Yet, in 1692, this town was filled with fear, judgment, and paranoia. Why do you need to be a member? Because accusations and trials were beginning. The Salem witch trials were a sequence of…

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Research Paper On The Salem Witch Trials

The Wicked Witches of Salem The Salem Witchcraft trials in Massachusetts during 1692 resulted in nineteen innocent deaths. Many men and women were hanged and one man was pressed to death. Although Salem was home to the witchcraft trials, the hysteria spread to many towns around Massachusetts. The witchcraft trials are responsible for hundreds of innocent deaths over time. It began at the end of 1691 when a few girls in the town of Salem were seen dancing in the woods. Dancing and partaking…

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Salem Witch Trials Research Paper

Witchcraft The Salem Witch Trials is a big historical event in the 17th century relating to Witchcraft. The Salem Witch Trials started in the spring of 1692. A hysteria had gone throughout Massachusetts about people being possessed by the devil. Over 150 men, women, and children were accused, September 1692. As many were puzzled on this topic, other people had come up with theories. Some believed smallpox epidemic caused Witchcraft and others believed it was caused by a fungus ergot showing symptoms…

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Salem Witch Trials Research Paper

The Salem Witch trials continue to captivate many up to this day, though many centuries later. This panic throughout the town heightened accusations of witchcraft provoking massive destruction along with endless fear, doubt, and injustice. As a result, the blame is on children, men, and women. There were several created hysterias, like if family livestock perished out of coincidence, it was supposed a witch cursed their family. Ongoing beliefs like this erupted in madness within the village. Many…

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Salem Witch Trials Research Paper

The events leading up to the Salem witch trials began with a merchant from Boston named Samuel Parris coming to Salem. He brought with him his wife, their children, a niece and two slaves. His daughter, niece, and their friend were named Betty, Abigail Williams, and Ann Putnam, respectively. The former two, Betty and Abigail, showed odd behavior in January 1692. They were throwing things, screaming, contorting their bodies, making strange sounds, and complained about pinching and biting feelings…

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Salem Witch Trials Research Paper

The story of the Salem witch trials continues to fascinate people because it has the potential to teach us important lessons about fear and prejudice. The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft. In fact, a group of girls in Salem Village, Massachusetts, said they were possessed by the devil and accused many women of witchcraft. The reason they accused these women of witch craft was because they had something that the girls desired. In all honesty…

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