Dbq Salem Witch Trials

This is one of the most tragic events to happen in colonial America. The year was 1692 in Salem Massachusetts, and hysteria and fear have now replaced logic and good reason as it seemed. It started when the daughter and niece of Reverend Samuel Parris of Salem Village became ill. When they failed to improve, the village doctor, William Griggs, was called in. His diagnosis of bewitchment put into motion the forces that would ultimately result in the death by hanging of nineteen men and women. In addition, one man was crushed to death; seven others died in prison, and the lives of many were irrevocably changed.

It appears that 4 out of 5 accused are women and the accusations of witchcraft grow in number daily. People believe that accused women are possessed by a demon or Satan himself. Being Puritan, is being very religious and knowing the scripture by heart. Exodus Chapter 22 Verse 8 says, "You shall not allow a sorceress to live.” So people of Salem put this into practice many times. The people of Salem were also so strong in their religious beliefs that in order to not be executed for the crime all you had to do was to admit your guilt to witchcraft but due to religious beliefs many would not do so.

In 1484 Pope Innocent VIII declared witchcraft a heresy.

In 1487 the Malles Maleficarum was written by Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger, and was first published in Germany. Its main purpose was to challenge all arguments against the argument of witchcraft and to instruct the magistrates on how to identify, interrogate and convict witches. The book stated that all witches should have the devils mark so this led to many women getting stripped of their clothes and examined for such marks. Using this guide and the testimony of young girls there are many who are falsely accused and convicted. Many are persecuted and accused even with the smallest amount of

evidence.
Salem belief stated they were a “city upon a hill” meaning that the rest of the colonies and the Europeans were watching them and they must lead by example. That being said it was one of the driving factors of the Salem Witch Trials. Another could be the religious intolerance. Anyone different or not like by the community could be accused of witchcraft possibly leading to their death. Jealousy or economic achievement could have been another factor meaning if someone had something that you want you could easily accuse them of witch craft because any one found guilty their land were turned over to public auction. It also could have been a group of young girls devised and planned one of the most elaborate and deadly lies in colonial history.
During the trials, many were executed. The following are the documented names: Bridget Bishop, George Burroughs, Martha Carrier, Martha Corey, Mary Easty, Sarah Good, Elizabeth Howe, George Jacobs, Sr., Susannah Martin, Rebecca Nurse, Alice Parker, Mary Parker, John Proctor, Ann Pudeator, Wilmott Redd, Margaret Scott, Samuel Wardwell, Sarah Wildes, and John Willard. It wasn’t until Governor Phips stepped in that the madness and paranoia stopped. As years passed, apologies were offered, and restitution was made to the victims' families.