From Paranoia to Pardon Years ago many christians believed that the devil would give certain people the power to harm others in return for complete loyalty.(A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials, 2007.) These people were known as “witches.” Tens of thousands of people were killed for supposedly being witches throughout Europe, and more than 200 people were accused , 20 of them being killed in Massachusetts alone. In this essay I will explain what the Salem Witch Trials were, how they affected the state of Massachusetts, and how they still affect us today. The Salem Witch Trials happened in Massachusetts between 1692 and 1693. It all started when English rulers William and Mary started a war with France in the American Colonies.
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He then pardoned all of the accused saying that “it would be better that ten suspected witches escape than one innocent person be condemned.”(Salem Witch Trials, 2016.) Over all, 20 people and 2 dogs were executed for witchcraft in Salem before it finally came to an end. Nobody truly knows why this all happened, maybe it was two little girls who didn 't want the power they had been given to be taken away, or maybe it was just a disease that was being spread around. Many of the judges admitted to false accusations and apologised to the people of Massachusetts. On January 14, 1697 the general court ordered a day of fasting and soul searching to help the people overcome the tragedy of Salem. Over two hundred and fifty years later, in 1957, Massachusetts formally apologised for the events of 1692.(A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials, 2007.) These trials may be over but they will never be forgotten. Massachusetts is still a huge tourist attraction where people can see the place where this tragedy happened. I hope this essay helped you to further understand the Salem Witch Trials, how large of an effect they had, and will continue to have on the state of
He then pardoned all of the accused saying that “it would be better that ten suspected witches escape than one innocent person be condemned.”(Salem Witch Trials, 2016.) Over all, 20 people and 2 dogs were executed for witchcraft in Salem before it finally came to an end. Nobody truly knows why this all happened, maybe it was two little girls who didn 't want the power they had been given to be taken away, or maybe it was just a disease that was being spread around. Many of the judges admitted to false accusations and apologised to the people of Massachusetts. On January 14, 1697 the general court ordered a day of fasting and soul searching to help the people overcome the tragedy of Salem. Over two hundred and fifty years later, in 1957, Massachusetts formally apologised for the events of 1692.(A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials, 2007.) These trials may be over but they will never be forgotten. Massachusetts is still a huge tourist attraction where people can see the place where this tragedy happened. I hope this essay helped you to further understand the Salem Witch Trials, how large of an effect they had, and will continue to have on the state of