As 1692 passed into 1693, the hysteria began to lose steam. The governor of the colony, upon hearing that his own wife was accused of witchcraft ordered an end to the trials.
April 30, 1692: Several girls accuse former Salem minister George Burroughs of witchcraft. May 2, 1692: Hathorne and Corwin examine Sarah Morey, Lyndia Dustin, Susannah Martin and Dorcas Hoar. May 4, 1692: George Burroughs is arrested in Maine. May 7, 1692: George Burroughs is returned to Salem and placed in jail.
What is the history of the Salem witch trials?
The infamous Salem witch trials began during the spring of 1692, after a group of young girls in Salem Village, Massachusetts, claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused several local women of witchcraft. . By September 1692, the hysteria had begun to abate and public opinion turned against the trials.
How did the Salem witch trials affect America?
Changes in the American Legal System During the epidemic of witchcraft accusations in Salem, the legal process changed. The trials followed the temporary suspension of the Colony Charter due to political and religious tension between the colony and England.
What event happened before the Salem witch trials?
However, it was in Hartford in 1662, 30 years before the infamous Salem witch trials, that a witch hunt hysteria took hold, resulting in seven trials and four executions. Shortly after Elizabeth Kelly’s death, the pious Ann Cole suddenly became “afflicted,” shaking violently and spouting blasphemy.
What were the 5 types of evidence allowed in the Salem witch trials?
Courts relied on three kinds of evidence: 1) confession, 2) testimony of two eyewitnesses to acts of witchcraft, or 3) spectral evidence (when the afflicted girls were having their fits, they would interact with an unseen assailant – the apparition of the witch tormenting them).
What was the real reason for the Salem witch trials?
Accusations followed, often escalating to convictions and executions. The Salem witch trials and executions came about as the result of a combination of church politics, family feuds, and hysterical children, all of which unfolded in a vacuum of political authority.
What religion led to the witch trials?
We have discovered that the lost lives of the accused witches were the direct result of the Puritan religious fanaticism of the day. Fanaticism in religion occurs when one goes beyond strict adherence to his or her faith. It occurred in Salem when death resulted from closed minded adherence to religious teaching.
What led to the witch trials?
The infamous Salem witch trials began during the spring of 1692, after a group of young girls in Salem Village, Massachusetts, claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused several local women of witchcraft. . By September 1692, the hysteria had begun to abate and public opinion turned against the trials.
How was physical evidence considered in the Salem witch trials?
Second, physical evidence was considered. Any birthmarks, warts, moles, or other blemishes were seen as possible portals through which Satan could enter a body. Witness testimony was a third consideration. Anyone who could attribute their misfortune to the sorcery of an accused person might help get a conviction.
What is the history of Salem?
1626 – Founded by Roger Conant and a group of immigrants from Cape Ann. The settlement was first titled Naumkeag, but the settlers preferred to call it Salem, derived from the Hebrew word for peace. 1628 – Massachusetts Bay Company arrives and relieves the struggling Naumkeag settlement.
Who was behind the Salem witch trials?
The trials were started after people had been accused of witchcraft, primarily by teenage girls such as Elizabeth Hubbard, 17, as well as some who were younger.
Why is Salem called the Witch City?
The new exhibition, “The Salem Witch Trials 1692,” which documents the hysteria that led to the deaths of 25 people accused, is PEM’s first in-depth look in nearly 30 years at the real-life events that gave the “Witch City” its nickname.
Why were the Salem witch trials unfair?
The Salem Witch Trials were “unfair” throughout countless eyes of villagers that lived in Salem village during this ghastly era. These trials were conducted on people that were either “seen” conducting strange activity or exhibiting strange behavior. . These witches are then brought to court and tried against the judges.
Were the Salem Witch Trials legal?
The Salem witchcraft trials of 1692 happened at the worst possible time. . In October 1692, the governor dissolved the Court of Oyer and Terminer, and in December 1692, the General Court passed An Act against Conjuration, Witchcraft, and Dealing with Evil and Wicked Spirits.
What was wrong with the Salem witch trials?
The Salem witch trials occurred in colonial Massachusetts between 1692 and 1693. More than 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft—the Devil’s magic—and 20 were executed. Eventually, the colony admitted the trials were a mistake and compensated the families of those convicted.
What were the major events of the Salem witch trials?
April 30, 1692: Several girls accuse former Salem minister George Burroughs of witchcraft. May 2, 1692: Hathorne and Corwin examine Sarah Morey, Lyndia Dustin, Susannah Martin and Dorcas Hoar. May 4, 1692: George Burroughs is arrested in Maine. May 7, 1692: George Burroughs is returned to Salem and placed in jail.
Last Review : 5 days ago.
Don’t forget to share this post !
References