What Happened in Salem? Essay

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Much evidence has been gathered to try to answer the question, “What really happened in Salem?” This topic refers to the Salem witch trials that have taken place in the 1600’s. Some believe that there were real witches that were terrorizing their land. Others, including me, believe that there were not any witches and the people in Salem believed they were to put the blame on them for disastrous events. I believe that this was a hoax to derail the true problems many people did not want to face. Many of the accusers in Salem were middle aged men and some were either in power or part of an organization. The men in charge are in essence the only ones who have a say in government, making decisions, or general ideas. These men mainly accused women, who did not have as many rights as men did in this time period. Document thirteen proves that women were labeled as witches and the men that were the accusers outnumbered the women in these poles. Also, document fifteen clearly shows that village leaders did take part in the accusations of witchcraft. I believe that men who were married to the women that were accused became simply tired of them and wanted a way to get rid of them. Others acclaimed to be “afflicted” by witches and many people believed them. These accusers would show cuts, bruises, or throw fits that they believed to be from a witch that hurt or possessed them. Documents eight and nine tell of these women who were run into by a witch and were now suffering because of it. Many of these were made up to follow the crowd and execute these supposed witches. People in Salem have died innocently because of false testimony and inconclusive findings. Document sixteen indicates that Putnam lied on trial, which led to Procter being killed for no reason. Putnam explains that the devil made her lie to the court, but that she did not have anything against Procter or her family. I think Putnam used the excuse of the devil speaking for her because she did have something against her. Many others were hung, but no real charge was brought against them. Document fourteen shows that some were accused or killed because of unspecified crimes. It seems as though
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