Analysis of a possible connection between race, gender, and age during the Salem Witch Trials of 1682-1693.

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Source Evaluation: Source 1: 1) http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/ASA_REC.HTM 2) http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/ASA_TIT.HTM 3) http://www.history.com/topics/salem-witch-trials Purpose: The purpose of this article is to show written documentation in a dialogue between Tituba, and what I would assume to be the magistrate or a person of the church. “She was an Indian woman that was sold into slavery at an early age. Once in Salem, she became accused of being a witch and confessed in attempts to not be beaten anymore.” Argument: The argument is between Tituba and the examiner. “By confessing early on, Tituba avoided the ordeal of going to trial, joining with the afflicted girls in providing key evidence against accused witches."2 It was very clear in her examination that Tituba didn’t mean any harm to the girls, and they she did not understand why everything took place. Presuppositions: Many assumptions have been made about Tituba. Mainly, being that when people (specifically Americans) hear the term “slave,” the term becomes immediately recognized as an African American. However, Tituba was an Indian Woman, from an Arawak village in South America.2 Epistemology: I know what I know by reading this examination of Tituba. The text reveals specific things about how twisted people began to think because of how scared each individual was. This could easily be tied with my other secondary source that speaks specifically about Tituba’s confession… “Likely seeking to save herself from certain conviction by acting as an informer, she claimed there were other witches acting alongside her in service of the devil against the Puritans.” Relate: I find this source very credible because of its exact cop... ... middle of paper ... ...f everyone who was accusing witches were all children in the eyes of the legal law. Thomas Brattle states that the citizens of Salem village are being “blinded” by the children’s innocence, and claiming that the young chaotic girls are simply being “nonsensical.” 8 Conclusion: I think that the Salem trials can teach a lot of life lessons; by not automatically assuming something must be true if coming from an “innocent” child. If it were to be true, whether it be a woman or man, the devil can and will get who it wants. I believe there are possible possessions that still take place in today’s society that are out of a person’s control. However, contrary to the ideals of the Salem Trials; todays’ “devil” affects all races, genders, and ages. During their time, race, gender, and age played a massive role in the accusations of witches and executions of innocent people.

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