The mass hysteria of witchcraft led to the assumptions that witches were present among the innocent because of direct admission of some and visions of witches by others which is illustrated in the hearing of the first accused witches. In the event of the Salem Witch Trials, dozens of innocent people were put to their death for truly grotesque reasons. One morning in January of 1692, two girls by the names of Betty Parris and Abigail Williams began experiencing anomalous fits, eventually leading to the accusations that they had been bewitched. Gradually, an increasing number of children began experiencing these fits which, unequivocally, began startling the Puritans of Salem, Massachusetts. In pursuit of ceasing the source of this madness, law
…show more content…
In the time of Colonial Massachusetts, the whole area was strictly puritan and even had most of their laws based off of Puritanism. One of their most important laws, amid these ages, was that Witchcraft is not to be practiced nor believed in. Also, if any witches were to be found, they would be forced to face the gallows. At the time, everyone had believed in the existence of witches because they were relevant in the Bible, in which the Puritanism religion was strictly based upon. Massachusetts occupants were always at the ready if they were ever to encounter a witch, or so they thought.
Fear played a major role both before the trials and during the event of the trials, as it was one of the leading causes in the colonists’ beliefs on the subject and opinions. Salem feared the upbringings of witches so much to the extent where parents did not allow their children to play games or do anything that would produce amusement or entertainment because they believed that it was a way of opening themselves up for the Devil. In consonance with the stories told by parents to their children, the Devil could persuade ordinary men and women to be his servants. These servants, according to the colonists, could draw on Satan’s power and have the ability
In the time of Colonial Massachusetts, the whole area was strictly puritan and even had most of their laws based off of Puritanism. One of their most important laws, amid these ages, was that Witchcraft is not to be practiced nor believed in. Also, if any witches were to be found, they would be forced to face the gallows. At the time, everyone had believed in the existence of witches because they were relevant in the Bible, in which the Puritanism religion was strictly based upon. Massachusetts occupants were always at the ready if they were ever to encounter a witch, or so they thought.
Fear played a major role both before the trials and during the event of the trials, as it was one of the leading causes in the colonists’ beliefs on the subject and opinions. Salem feared the upbringings of witches so much to the extent where parents did not allow their children to play games or do anything that would produce amusement or entertainment because they believed that it was a way of opening themselves up for the Devil. In consonance with the stories told by parents to their children, the Devil could persuade ordinary men and women to be his servants. These servants, according to the colonists, could draw on Satan’s power and have the ability