Fear And Corruption In Salem

Fear and corruption run rampant during one of America’s darkest periods. 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts was a time of fear, allegation, and distress. The town of Salem will forever be linked to the witch trials and the executions of innocent victims. One person tortured to death, five others die in prison, and nineteen men and women hanged (6). The atmosphere surrounding Salem was ripe for the occasion. Some of the predominant causes of the Trials were a combination of the strict Puritan codes which aroused children’s interest in superstition and magic, tense environments around Salem that heightened the colonists’ fear and anxiety; in addition to this constant sense of fear, Salem residents were also under a great deal of stress during this period due to a number of factors. One major factor was that in 1684, King Charles II revoked the Massachusetts Bay Colony’s royal charter, a legal document granting the colonists permission to colonize the area (3). All these factors combined painted the perfect setting which made the Witch Trials possible. Fueled by religious fanatics and young girls …show more content…
A man named Giles Corey, who was accused of witchcraft refused to stand trial and was crushed to death (6). This, Rev. Burroughs’ prayer, and a letter written by an accused asking “if it be possible, that no more innocent blood be shed, which undoubtedly cannot be avoided in the way and course you go in (2).” This and the fact that the Governor's wife had been accused of witchcraft caused the Governor to issue orders to protect those accused of witchcraft and ban the arrest of other suspected witches unless it was necessary. People began to ignore the cries of witchcraft and the last trial was held in January of 1693. In May of 1692, the governor ended the witch trials for good when he pardoned all of the remaining accused. With nineteen hanged and one crushed, the Salem Witch Trials finally