Salem Witch Trials
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When and Where?
It occurred in Salem, Massachusetts Bay Colony, May - October 1692.
Picture Citation:
Witch Trial. Photographer. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 10 Feb 2014.http://quest.eb.com/images/115_896253
What?
It began when 2 girls started acting " possessed " and then claimed that their slave and them were witches. Their slave later confessed that she was actually a witch and all three of them were executed. At the end of October, 20 innocent people had died and seven more people died in prison.
Was There A Scapegoat?
Yes, everyone was paranoid that God had cursed them due to a recent outbreak of small pox and the fear that Indians would attack them, so they blamed it on people and accused them of witchcraft.
Picture Citation:
Martha Corey Is Accused Of Witchcraft During The Salem Witch Trials In 1692 (colour Litho) . colour lithograph. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest.Web. 10 Feb 2014.http://quest.eb.com/images/108_4085550
How?
This event qualified for a mob event because if someone believed that one person was a witch they wouldn't go off like that if they were by themselves. Instead, the whole town caused everyone to believe that they were actually witches.
Who?
The girls accused and the accusers.