The Salem Witch Trials
By: Jaclyn Beeter
When and Where?
People Involved
What was the purpose of the Salem Witch Trials?
It is interesting how most of the people who were convicted of witchcraft had strayed from the church recently. This kept some people skeptical about the real reasons behind the accusations. Eventually, those who voiced their objections were accused too, so that caused more speculation. The Trials were never over until the city of Boston police intervened and said that the accusations were absurd. Many believed the accusations were purely based on trying to get revenge on the neighbors who the accusers resented.
The Theories
Doctors and Historians say that a number of things could have caused the people who were convicted to act the way they did. Stress, asthma, guile, boredom, child abuse, epilepsy, and delusional psychosis are just some of the things that could have caused the strange behavior. In conclusion, it is unclear as to why they were thought to be witches.
Another cause could have been a crop the colonist had been growing. Rye, a popular crop in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, could be infected with a fungus called ergot if grown under the right conditions. In the months leading up to when the first accusations came, it was a wet, damp few months. Just the right conditions for ergot to sprout. Ergot was known to cause muscle spasms, delusions, seizures, and contortions if eaten. All of these symptoms were symptoms reported of the girls who were acting strange. But still, nobody can name the real cause of the Salem Witch Trials.
How It All Got Started
The Legal System is Changed
Right before some of the cases went to court, Governor Phips created a new court. He called it "the court of oyer and terminer".("Salem Witch Trials")There were 5 judges appointed to the court for hearing the defendants cases. There were many things the judges looked for as signs of witchcraft, but some unusual things were let into the prosecution. Gossip, unsupported evidence, and stories were let in as reliable evidence. The defendants were denied basic rights that the accused have today. They were not allowed to have witnesses speak under oath on their behalf. Defendants could testify themselves, cross-examine their accusers, and produce evidence.
The Salem Witch Trials brought some changes to the legal system in America. It changed the way testimonies were handled and the way witnesses were treated.
The executions that occurred during the Trials were the last executions of accused witches in the United States.
Work Cited
- "An Account of the Salem Witchcraft Investigations, Trials, and Aftermath."An Account of the Salem Witchcraft Investigations, Trials, and Aftermath. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
- History, Travel, Arts, Science, People, Places | Smithsonian." History, Travel, Arts, Science, People, Places | Smithsonian. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
- Kids' Games, Animals, Photos, Stories, and More -- National Geographic Kids." Kids' Games, Animals, Photos, Stories, and More -- National Geographic Kids. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015
- Kids' Games, Animals, Photos, Stories, and More -- National Geographic Kids." Kids' Games, Animals, Photos, Stories, and More -- National Geographic Kids. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015
- Salem Witch Trials." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2015.
- Salem Witch Trials." TheFreeDictionary.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2015.
- "Salem Witch Trials Video." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2015
- "Totally History – Facts About Famous Events & Records of the Past."Totally History – Facts About Famous Events & Records of the Past. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
- "Witchcraft in Salem." Ushistory.org. Independence Hall Association, n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015
- World Book Online Reference Center | Online Reference Book| Online Encyclopedia." World Book. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
- Wilson, Lori Lee. The Salem Witch Trials. Minneapolis: Lerner Pub., 1997. Print.