Causes of the Salem Witch Trials
The Salem witch trial of 1692 was an important event that took place at the Salem Village, situated in the Massachusetts Bay colony, in the 17th century. Several young girls began to depict hysterical behaviors and began suffering for fits. Upon being examined by the local physicians the girls were found to have been afflicted. The girls were pressurized on declaring names of the one bewitching them and the whole event started with the accusation of three girls, Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne and Tituba that led to this dark event in history. There were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in which twenty people were hanged to death (“Salem witch trials”). “Nearly 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft in Salem during the summer of 1692” (“Salem Witch Trials - Further Readings”). A lot of historical and scientific research has been done in order to determine the causes of this phenomenon. This thesis will discuss five of these causes.
Strong belief in the Phenomenon. The Puritans believed very strongly in God and that he will protect his followers …show more content…
William Cooke is precisely remarks that “Understanding the human element is essential to any historical review.”(Cooke, 10). It can be said that no one reason led to this massive incident in the 17th century. However, it is more likely that a scientific conclusion could have explained the causes of the mass hysteria. There is a very strong possibility that the whole thing must have started due to being infected by ergotism. Enough evidence has been presented in this modern day and age that justifies the actions rather than it being a case of witchcraft. However, due to superstitious beliefs and blind faith 200 lives suffered the punishment during the time and many lives were lost. The Salem witchcraft is still considered as one of the darkest events in the history of
The Salem witch trial of 1692 was an important event that took place at the Salem Village, situated in the Massachusetts Bay colony, in the 17th century. Several young girls began to depict hysterical behaviors and began suffering for fits. Upon being examined by the local physicians the girls were found to have been afflicted. The girls were pressurized on declaring names of the one bewitching them and the whole event started with the accusation of three girls, Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne and Tituba that led to this dark event in history. There were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in which twenty people were hanged to death (“Salem witch trials”). “Nearly 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft in Salem during the summer of 1692” (“Salem Witch Trials - Further Readings”). A lot of historical and scientific research has been done in order to determine the causes of this phenomenon. This thesis will discuss five of these causes.
Strong belief in the Phenomenon. The Puritans believed very strongly in God and that he will protect his followers …show more content…
William Cooke is precisely remarks that “Understanding the human element is essential to any historical review.”(Cooke, 10). It can be said that no one reason led to this massive incident in the 17th century. However, it is more likely that a scientific conclusion could have explained the causes of the mass hysteria. There is a very strong possibility that the whole thing must have started due to being infected by ergotism. Enough evidence has been presented in this modern day and age that justifies the actions rather than it being a case of witchcraft. However, due to superstitious beliefs and blind faith 200 lives suffered the punishment during the time and many lives were lost. The Salem witchcraft is still considered as one of the darkest events in the history of