“One of the oddest and saddest periods of American history began in late January 1692 in Salem Village, Massachusetts.”(2) Over 155 men and women were accused and jailed of witchcraft, 5 of these people died in jail, 19 men and women were hanged, and one man was crushed to death. Salem was not the only colony that was witch crazed; however, it had the most deaths and accusations in 1692. In the year 1692, the colonists of Massachusetts were opposed to outsiders and newcomers, this caused for many to be inaccurately accused of witchcraft. It is thought, that one of the many reasons that the Salem Witch Trials began is because of the previous witch hunts in Europe. It all started when a book was published in 1487 in Germany (2). Malleus Maleficarum
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First the fear of the colonists, and second the Puritan way of life. Due to the previous witch hunts in Europe the colonists of America were already extremely superstitious and had a strong belief in the supernatural, especially witchcraft and witches. There was also a fear of witchcraft in Europe which was brought over with the colonists when they went across the sea to start new lives. The most superstitious group that moved over to America is the Puritans who immigrated in hope for religious freedom, but instead began the Salem Witch Trials. …show more content…
She would often were a red bodice looped with other bright colors which was very flashy for the time because most women wore drab colors and plain styles. Also, at her tavern she allowed young people to loudly play games of shuffleboard late in to the night. At her trial many people claimed she could assume the shape of animals. On the way to her trial, she glanced at the meeting house and part of it fell down. Many suspected witchcraft and she was quickly found guilty of witchcraft by the court and was sentenced to be hanged. On June 10, 1692 Bridget Bishop was the first to be hanged for witchcraft in Salem. Some of the judges that found Bridget guilty even appeared at her execution. One of the judges resigned after the hanging, because he felt that what he had done was wrong, he was then suspected of witchcraft; however, he was not found guilty. Most of the witches who were found guilty were hanged, however, one man who was accused of witchcraft died in a very different and shocking
First the fear of the colonists, and second the Puritan way of life. Due to the previous witch hunts in Europe the colonists of America were already extremely superstitious and had a strong belief in the supernatural, especially witchcraft and witches. There was also a fear of witchcraft in Europe which was brought over with the colonists when they went across the sea to start new lives. The most superstitious group that moved over to America is the Puritans who immigrated in hope for religious freedom, but instead began the Salem Witch Trials. …show more content…
She would often were a red bodice looped with other bright colors which was very flashy for the time because most women wore drab colors and plain styles. Also, at her tavern she allowed young people to loudly play games of shuffleboard late in to the night. At her trial many people claimed she could assume the shape of animals. On the way to her trial, she glanced at the meeting house and part of it fell down. Many suspected witchcraft and she was quickly found guilty of witchcraft by the court and was sentenced to be hanged. On June 10, 1692 Bridget Bishop was the first to be hanged for witchcraft in Salem. Some of the judges that found Bridget guilty even appeared at her execution. One of the judges resigned after the hanging, because he felt that what he had done was wrong, he was then suspected of witchcraft; however, he was not found guilty. Most of the witches who were found guilty were hanged, however, one man who was accused of witchcraft died in a very different and shocking