Theories of The Salem Witch Trials
Salem, Massachusetts, a town originally settled in the early seventeenth century, after King Charles II granted a charter, allowing the colonization and self rule over The Massachusetts Bay Colony. This charter was revoked then renewed before finding stable ground in 1691. Salem was run by a group of Puritans who left England due to religious oppression. The Puritans sought out a land where the Puritan Church could not only exist, but exist without interference from the Church of England. The colony, having been over-run throughout the past, was yet again threatened to be abolished. This left Salem in a havoc of anxiety. However, this was not the only reason the people of Salem were in such a strain, other factors played a big role, such as the harsh Puritan lifestyle, tension from the French and British differences, along with a smallpox epidemic, and fear of a Native American attack on the colony. All of this led to a very toxic environment in Salem. January of 1692, when nine young girls …show more content…
They would bark like dogs, throw fits, scream in church, mumble and cry, break into fevers, hide under furniture and scream from pain. The first of these supposed troubled girls to act out was Betty Parris, the rest soon followed. Betty Parris was daughter of Samuel Parris, Salems minister at the time. Samuel Parris, after all the girls fell under this illness, called the town doctor, Dr. William Griggs. Dr. Griggs examined the girls and found no signs of any physical illness. He then suggested that perhaps the girls had been bewitched by someone in Salem. The girls after being suggested this began naming the supposed “witches”. The first accused were Tituba, slave of Samuel Parris, Sarah Osburn, and Sarah
Salem, Massachusetts, a town originally settled in the early seventeenth century, after King Charles II granted a charter, allowing the colonization and self rule over The Massachusetts Bay Colony. This charter was revoked then renewed before finding stable ground in 1691. Salem was run by a group of Puritans who left England due to religious oppression. The Puritans sought out a land where the Puritan Church could not only exist, but exist without interference from the Church of England. The colony, having been over-run throughout the past, was yet again threatened to be abolished. This left Salem in a havoc of anxiety. However, this was not the only reason the people of Salem were in such a strain, other factors played a big role, such as the harsh Puritan lifestyle, tension from the French and British differences, along with a smallpox epidemic, and fear of a Native American attack on the colony. All of this led to a very toxic environment in Salem. January of 1692, when nine young girls …show more content…
They would bark like dogs, throw fits, scream in church, mumble and cry, break into fevers, hide under furniture and scream from pain. The first of these supposed troubled girls to act out was Betty Parris, the rest soon followed. Betty Parris was daughter of Samuel Parris, Salems minister at the time. Samuel Parris, after all the girls fell under this illness, called the town doctor, Dr. William Griggs. Dr. Griggs examined the girls and found no signs of any physical illness. He then suggested that perhaps the girls had been bewitched by someone in Salem. The girls after being suggested this began naming the supposed “witches”. The first accused were Tituba, slave of Samuel Parris, Sarah Osburn, and Sarah