What Happened in Salem? Essay

Submitted By djgolddream
Words: 608
Pages: 3
Open Document
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
Show More

Related Documents: What Happened in Salem? Essay

Historical Accuracy Of The Crucible

The Crucible is a play written by Arthur Miller and it is set in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. Salem, Massachusetts is where the witch trials took place in 1692 and 1693. My topic is about whether the Crucible is historically accurate or not. Well, the Crucible is not accurate. The witch panic began in Salem,Massachusetts. The panic began when Betty Parris and Abigail Williams started to show odd behavior. Betty Parris was Reverend Parris's daughter and Abigail Williams was his niece…

Words 314 - Pages 2

The Salem Witch Trials Essay

What happened during the Salem Witch Trials? One of the most interesting and fascinating events to ever occur in United States history was the Salem Witch Trials. The trials took place in between February 1692 and May 1693. For over a year women were accused of being a witch, and then hung for the accusations. During the 17th century, witchcraft was used by peasants, and the idea of their “white magic” that helped their agriculture became the idea of “dark magic” and was associated with evil…

Words 1341 - Pages 6

Salem Witch Trials Research Paper

as 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…

Words 1520 - Pages 7

Examples Of Reputation In The Crucible

to Abigail he asks her about what happened in the woods on page 11 Parris says “ Abigail, I have fought here three long years to bend these stiff-necked people to me, and now, just now when some good respect is rising for me in the parish, you compromise my very character. I have given you a home, child. I have put clothes upon your back—now give me an upright answer. Your name in the town—it is entirely white, is it not?” Parris had finally gotten the people of salem to trust him and respect him…

Words 1310 - Pages 6

The Theories Of The Salem Witch Trials

The Salem Witch Trials were a string of very unfortunate events, that occurred in Salem, Massachusetts. In 1692 there was a group of girls that accused many people of either being a witch or committing witchcraft. No one really has an explanation why the trials happened, but Nearly 200 people were accused of witchcraft and 19 were sentenced to execution. Historians believe that the trials were caused by mass hysteria, but there are several theories as to what happened, so here are 6 main theories…

Words 569 - Pages 3

The Salem Witch Trials Essay example

The Salem Witch Trials The Salem Witch Trials In the years 1692 and 1693 many people were being convicted of Witchcraft. The Salem Witch Trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft. All these convictions happened in colonial Massachusetts; more specifically Salem. The only people who were being convicted were women; with an exception of one man. Some of the people who were convicted and killed were actual witches practicing the…

Words 839 - Pages 4

Essay On The Salem Witch Trials Dbq

in Salem, Massachusetts. These 20 people were put to death for the terrible crime of witchcraft. The accusations started with Ann Putnam and ended with much more. The killings stopped once the mayor’s wife was accused of being a witch. These trials didn’t only happen in Salem. This also spread to New England where thousands more were killed. The question is what caused the Salem Witch Trial Hysteria of 1692? The false accusations, the division of the town, and desperation for power. The Salem Witch…

Words 677 - Pages 3

The Salem Witch Trials In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

Crucible by Arthur Miller explores the fictionalized story of the Salem witch trials that took place in Massachusetts between 1962 and 1963. The trials were composed of a series of hearings and prosecutions of the villagers accused of witchcraft. In The Crucible, the people of Salem become hysteric as the accusations of witchcraft grow so rapidly and profusely to the point where innocent people are hanged. The hysteria in Salem begins when Abigail William and a group of girls accuse Tituba of witchcraft…

Words 866 - Pages 4

Examples Of Hysteria In The Crucible

In the play, The Crucible, Arthur Miller writes about the chilling story of the Salem Witch Trials. He portrays what happened during that time and how it affected the people living there. Though Miller has many messages within the play, one of the main themes is “hysteria”. Hysteria is exaggerated or uncontrollable emotion among a group of people. . The play shows how hysteria can tear a community apart and completely replace logic. In The Crucible this message of hysteria is clearly seen through…

Words 611 - Pages 3

The History Of The Salem Witch Trials

The Salem Witch Trials is a significant time in our history and we should always remember what happened so history doesn't repeat itself. One part of it was that more vulnerable members of society were targeted and accused. Widows, slaves, younger children, and younger adults were the majority of the people who were accused. Women made up the majority of people accused with 3/4 of everyone accused being women. Sadly, this has been the case for several later incidents in our history. The men need…

Words 285 - Pages 2