What Are Salem Witch Trials?

History of the Salem Witch Trials

 This week I've been studying the history of Salem witch trials and what I've discovered is really interesting and the explaination behind this is quite shocking! Read on to learn more about what I've found...

(An example of the performance of a Salem Witch Trial)

 Salem witch trials are executions by hanging, of convicted witches in the Puritan settlement located in Massachusetts in 1692. The first sign of witchery was experienced by two girls who believed to had been possessed by demonic spirits; the devil. On June 10, Bridget Bishop was the first women accused and executed of being a witch, being the first of almost 20 executions.

(These are people of 1692 who were accused of being witches and executed. From left to right,

Row 1: Bridget Bishop - June 10, 1692, Sarah Good - July 19, 1692, Elizabeth Howe - July 19, 1692, Susannah Martin - July 19, 1692, Rebecca Newman - July 19, 1692

Row 2: Sarah Wild - July 19, 1692, George Burrough - August 19, 1692, Martha Carrier - August 19, 1692, George Jacobs Sr. - August 19, 1692, John Proctor - August 19, 1692

Row 3: John Willars - August 19, 1692, Giles Corey - September 10, 1692, Martha Cores - September 22, 1692, Unknown, Alice Parker - September 22, 1692

Row 4: Mary Parker - September 22, 1692, Ann Pudeatos - September 22, 1692, Wilmot Redd - September 22, 1692, Margaret Scott - September 22, 1692, Samuel Wardwell Sr. - September 22, 1692

Row 5: "...I do not plead guilty..." "To my dying day... I am no witch...")

 Most women of Salem were convicted of being witches, because they were different than stereotypical women. Women were known to be morally weaker, have lustful natures, and become easily manipulated. Those convicted of witchery were older, vulnerable, independent, and morally stronger. As the Puritan settlement developed, the morals between girls and women altered. This drove fear and worry to Puritans, because they were afraid of death by the devil, Indians, and other dark sources, Both men and younger girls became threatened that women independence would kill them as well.

 Salem witch trials continued from 1692 to early 1693, until witch trials were soon determined unlawful and was put to an end, immediately. In realization of the wrongs done within the community, leader of the trials, Samuel Sewalls, publicly apologized for his actions of what he originally thought was the morally correct thing to do, The  colony of Massachusetts passes legislation to restore the good of those who were executed. They also provided a financial restitution for those to inherit in 1711. The steps taken to undo the wrongs of Salem witch trials did not help the colony forget the damage done, but the action taken was a big step towards recovery.

Click here for more depth and the story of how Salem witch trials started!:
http://www.history.com/topics/salem-witch-trials#

-Kasiah L.

April 19, 2015

5:34 PM