The Salem Witch Trials History Essay

The capital of Oregon enthrall Trials History EssayIntroductionThe capital of Oregon hagfish trials of 1692 took place in capital of Oregon, Massachusetts. Overall, 141 populate were arrested as 19 were hanged and unrivalled person crushed to devastation. Researchers get extinct the Salem witch trials as a series of court trials that were aimed at prosecuting persons who had been acc apply of witchery. The trials took place between 1692 and 16931.Prior hearings of the Salem witch trials were carried out in several different towns. The major trial was conducted by the speak to of Oyer and Terminer situated in Salem town2. some(prenominal) people were move up and aerated with witchery. Some of those arrested died in prison. Of the impeach, 14 wo custody and 5 men were hanged.There were venerates intimately religious extremists as m both a(prenominal) critics perceived witchcraft as world counterproductive. many an(prenominal) problems at bottom the society were attri buted to the witches biography in the town of Salem. At the meter of their arrest, almost of them were found with things believed to be used to propagate their activities.Causes of the trialsThere were about 600 residents in Salem town that conflicted with superstar company arguing that they had the right to remain in the town as earth families and the former(a) to settle on the eastern side of the loaded suburban town of Salem. The thriving economy of Salem town that was generally a farming community do it to be perceived as being individualistic.The individualism was clashing with the communal nature of Puritanism. The Putnams matt-up that the cosmic farming families were completely isolated from the rest of the town and amassed a bad quantity of wealth. The Putnams were acknowledged leaders of a separatist grouping. This separatist group owned most of the farming land in Salem v nauseatedage. The Putnams felt the need to form a congregation that would indeed unite the m at bottom Salem. In 1689, the religious congregation was formed infra the lead of elevated Parris3.This religious congregation only represented a small group of the populace in Salem as most of the members were Putnams. Two factions had emerged in spite of appearance the religious congregation. These factions were basically divided on the basis of the contract on a lower floor which sacred Parris was employed to conduct the church affairs.Ministers in the religious groups at the time were practically granted lots of fringe goods to go along with their heavy salaries, such(prenominal) as free houses and use of firewood4. It is believed that Reverend Parris legitimate this and much more, indeed creating questions as to why he was being accorded such kind of treatment. Reverend Parris salary was paid by the local task payers. Critics who did not support this, often mumbled in silence hence creating and intensify the already existing crevice with the religious organization in which Reverend Parris was the main leader. close Puritans believed in witchcraft as the source of world power to harm others. They further believed that the witchcraft was entering partnership with the d sinister in ex win all over for certain evil powers in order to propagate their evil activities. Therefore, the religious sect who lived in the same town of Salem was against witchcraft as they considered it as a sin5. It is as well as believed that most Puritans were against the church of England and opposed most of their doctrines. As a go away, enmity was created between the Puritans and the church building of England at the time. This culminated into frequent conflicts between the Puritans and the church members who often level accuses against from each one other. The puritans did not buy any of the traditions that the church was conducted.It was this religious divide that supply the Salem witchcraft trial of 1692 that led to the k complainting of several witches withi n the town, most of who were Puritans.There was a huge political divide in Salem between the English settlers in the east and their opponents who were spectacular farming families. They do several attacks on each other with considerable casualties being reported. In 1692 when the new Governor was elected, he had many issues to settle. He initiated the commitment of special court known as the court of Oyer and Terminer which was charged with the office of handling the increasing number of people who were charge at the time6.Farming was often the main cause of dispute between neighbors and families. As families grew in size, so did their farming land. Most of the farming land pushed foregoing into the wild, thus causing tautness to the conflict that was already brewing. Drought or change in weather could easily wipe out a years school without much consideration. This leave aloneed in tension. Religious tension make this worse as many Puritans believed that God had advanced hi s wrath on man due to his sinful nature7. This belief made many people fear the actions of those who were against God. Therefore, many religious groups such as the church of England advocated for the elimination of witches from the Salem society in order to enjoy a good bumper harvest and experience rain.Moreover, the accessible status that the Puritans accorded to the women did not serve well much as the women were believed to be devils servants. The Puritans perception about women increased the tension that had already built within the community leading to conflict in beliefs, one of the foundations that the Salem trials were based upon.Children were discouraged from playing and generally living a amicable life among the Puritans. They were the least valued. Similarly, girls were restricted from social groupings and activities in the belief that they would be used by the devil at a tender age. Women were generally not allowed to own land and in most cases land reverted to the previous owner if the husband died. magnetize-hunting became a sport and a daily norm among the Puritans in order to acquire property. The effects of this on the society were far reaching.Preconceived ideas of witchesThere were several preconceived ideas about withes in the Salem village. Most people believed that witches were the main cause of crop failure and drought. This was because, witches often performed certain acts which could reverse the nature of climate change and bring about rain8. The Puritans were revered for their activities involving witch-hunting. Witches were thus believed to poses the power to ill other people and even make their lives difficult.Furthermore, there was a liberal belief that the witches were often in contact with the devil and could order any kind of destruction upon their targets with impunity. In fact, most of the illness and attacks during the 17th light speed were attributed to the powers of the witches9.In addition, witches were believed to be anti-Christian in nature since they derived their powers from the devil and destroyed other peoples lives. The Salem society believed that witches should be killed. Therefore, the offence of witchcraft carried the remnant clock time automatically and without the option of appealing.Analysis of the accusers and their motivations of targeting certain peopleMost of the accusers of witches were primarily the religious organizations which indeed were against the activities of the witches in Salem during the 17th century. The Puritans were increasingly becoming aggressive and threatened the very existence of humanity due to their social beliefs about women and children10. Moreover, the Puritans were against the traditions well(p) by the church. The witches often laid accusations upon the churchs conduct hence creating tension whenever they were illuminated within the Salem village.In addition, most of the large farming families excessively accused the witches of crop failure and drought. The powers of the witches were believed to cause deaths in children and livestock. Farming was the main economic activity that the people of Salem practiced11. Therefore, it farming failed then life became subsequently very difficult for them considering that they often had very large families.Reverend Parris who was a church minister was also an accuser of the witches. His daughter and niece had epileptic fits that were beyond any normal comprehension. Following this, three witches were arrested and arraigned in court to be charged with inflicting such evil upon the children. The arrested individuals were Puritans and were charged with witchcraft.On February 1692, Betty Parris, the daughter of the leader of the religious covenant organization, became strangely ill12. Critics were quick to point out that this was a result of witchcraft that had been enjoin towards the ministers home. What made the belief worse was the fact that Reverend Parris cousin and niece also fell s trangely ill.Strange illness were often attributed to witchcraft and the accusers who were often family members could not compel with the idea that strange infirmitys were as a result of a combination of stress, trauma and other physiological causes. These strange diseases chiefly attacked children. There was a wide belief that witches often targeted children since they were vulnerable to the witches activities13. This made witches to be accused of any strange disease like symptoms as most households ignored the diagnosis of the doctors.This was fueled by the strange disease that was exhibited by Ann Putnam, Mercy Lewis and Mary Walcott all who were juveniles. The cure to the strange doings was not understood as the children continued to wriggle on the plant suffering from this strange disease.The accusers were mainly motivated by the need to crack evil within the Salem community by stopping the witches from cleanup and depressing people in the society. For instance, women and children were accorded the lowest social class in the Salem community among the Puritans14. This was seen as a counter-development move and was thus fought by the greater farming community as well as the religious Christian society.When the reverends daughter and niece, Elizabeth Parris and Abigail Williams fell ill, they were taken to hospital. Since the doctor could not arrange anything physically wrong with the girls, it was concluded that they had been bewitched. Tituba, an Indian witch was accused of entrancing the two girls15. This saw a number of many other witches arrested in 1691with many people condemning witchcraft.Analysis of the accusedThe accused witches were preponderantly Puritans. Trouble began when Cloyce and Proctor were arrested. These individuals were members of the covenanted church. After days of interrogation and investigation, more arrests were made and the suspects arraigned in court to be charged with witchcraft. Most of those who had been named went in to hiding for fear of being arrested and charged in court.The prosecutor found the presentation of picture to be most challenging since evidence in such cases was save imaginary. The Court of Oyer and Terminer was responsible for prosecuting and charging the witches. The court convened on June 2, 1692 where Bridget Bishops case was heard first off16. The grand jury indeed acknowledged all the charges made against her. Several other witches who were arrested and totaled 150 were charged before the Court of Oyer and Terminer with witchcraft. provided one accused who refused to enter a plea was crushed to death using stones17. The Court of Oyer and Terminer handled all formal prosecutions of witchcraft. About 36 people were arrested on July 2, 1692 following the convening of the new Governor, Chief Magistrate and Crowns attorney. Local magistrate presided over the cases where they arrested, examined and charged the witches according to the law.The accused were often individuals who maintained a extravagantly social status within the Salem setting. They were individuals who were revered and feared for their evil powers18. Most of them lived in eastern Salem. The witches of Salem had amassed massive wealth due to witch-hunting. They had been accused at one time of killing innocent people for the benefit of their wealth.ConclusionThe Salem witch trials were hence as a result of the beliefs that the witches held within the Salem society. The witches were also accused of causing strange diseases among children. Many of the Salem witches were often wealthy people who enjoyed a high social status within the community. Moreover, they were located on the eastern side of the Salem village just next to the farming communities in the Salem town.The Salem trials led to the arrest and imprisonment of over 150 people, 19 of whom were hanged and one crushed to death. These trials were the most controversial in the history of Salem. The trials were done in such haste in orde r to clear the large gather of cases concerning witches in the Court of Oyer and Terminer19.Concerns about witchcraft were often muffled under the pillow until when Elizabeth Parris became strangely ill. She was the daughter of the Reverend Parris, leader of the religious church. Abigail Williams, a niece to the reverend also fell strangely ill. Tituba, the Indian witch was accused of bewitching the girls. Critics of the trial of Salem suggest that witchcraft should be death with witchcraft instead of convicting of witchcraft and sentenced to death.ReferencesBlumberg Jess. A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials. Accessed fromhttp//www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/brief-salem.htmlGiles Cory and the Salem Witch Craft Trials. Salem Witchcraft Trials. Accessed fromhttp//coryfamsoc.com/resources/articles/witch.htmPoole William Frederick. cotton wool Mather and Salem witchcraft. Harvard University press, 1869,p.61. accessed fromhttp//books.google.co.ke/books?id=5DT0mK6JxO4Cp g=PA61dq=The+Salem+Witch+Trialshl=enei=s9nCS6qPEp3AmgPdhbj-Bgsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=7ved=0CFUQ6AEwBgv=onepageq=The%20Salem%20Witch%20Trialsf= rancidSalem Witch Trials. Accessed fromhttp//www.articlesbase.com/law-articles/salem-witch-trials-67616.htmlSalem Witch Trials. Accessed from http//www.42explore2.com/salemwitch.htmThe Salem Witch Trials, 1692, Eyewitness to History. Accessed fromhttp//www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/salem.htmThe Salem witch hunts. Accessed fromhttp//www.essortment.com/all/salemwitchhunt_rkto.htmThe Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Accessed fromhttp//www.kidzworld.com/article/2536-the-salem-witch-trials-of-1692Upham Charles Wentworth. Salem witchcraft and like Mather a reply. New York Historicalmagazine, 1869, p.16. accessed from http//books.google.co.ke/books?id=qdmvN-fB5xYCpg=PA10dq=The+Salem+Witch+Trialshl=enei=s9nCS6qPEp3AmgPdhbj-Bgsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=3ved=0CEEQ6AEwAgv=onepageq=The%20Salem%20Witch%20Trialsf=falseWhat Were the Salem Witch T rials? accessed fromhttp//www.wisegeek.com/what-were-the-salem-witch-trials.htm