Witch Town of Salem Essay Sample

Witch Town of Salem: the Tragedy of Blind Beliefs Mysterious sickness struck pre-Revolutionary Massachusetts in 1692. The seed of paranoia planted in humans mind pursued the residents of Salem to chase innocent individuals. More than two a hundred people were accused of witchcraft, at least 20 of them executed. Finally, the community declared the trials were an unforgivable mistake. Since then, the notorious Witch Town of Salem trials are synonyms for injustice and mass hysteria. Town of Salem Witch: the Satans Magic 144 witches, 185 wizards and even two dogs living in 25 towns and village were accused of being engaged in sorcery in Massachusetts colonial. Formally, they charged with having maliciously, wickedly, and feloniously causing harm. The youngest girl was only five-year-child; the eldest woman was under eighty. Husbands accused of witchcraft their wives, daughters their mothers. One clergyman was related at least to twenty witches! All the events took place in the time when New Englands population was tiny as compared to the current period. Historical Context It was a time of a British war against France in the American colonies, well-known as King Williams War, involving the residents of Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New York. The refugees were sent to the county of Essex and, especially, Salem. The relocated people cause a tension on resources. The struggle between families increased greatly leading to frequent quarrels and discordant which was interpreted by the superstitious Puritans as the Satans practice. Additionally, fears of attacks by Indian tribes and recent smallpox epidemic disturbed settlers who had been building the new civilization for the scratch. As the medieval people had a firm belief that the Satan enables certain persons the capacity of causing evil, they hunted for the so-called wizards and witches. Over three hundred years of witch-hunts, many thousands of women in Europe were charged in sorcery and executed. The Salem witch trials are echoing the European craze. Enigmatic Sickness In the late 17th century, two young girls, aged between 9 and 11 years, started having mysterious fits. They suffered from violent convolution, wild outbursts of screaming, throwing out things and growl strange sounds. A local doctor who had no idea what the disease struck his patients diagnosed bewitchment. Under the influence of magistrates, the misery girls accused three women of witchcraft: a homeless beggar, a poor lady, and a slave. The other children of the community began to exhibit the same symptoms as two former children. Salem Witch Trials: First Victims One of the accused women, named Tituba, a slave, confessed to consorts with the Devil while others denied all accusations. Much to the horror of Salem settlers, Tituba claimed that sorcery was practicing by numerous citizens. More men and women were accused and jailed concerning the witch town of Salem case. However, the settlement had no legally-established government. As a result, trial hearings were impossible to hold. Nevertheless, it didnt take long to the authority to arrive with a new charter. As the governor was established, a special court hearing was set. The first condemned person, a woman named Bridget Bishop, was sentenced to death by hanging. Over several months, more than hundred people, including children, were accused of sorcery. The jail was overcrowded with people charged with witchcraft: In general, 14 women and 5 men were hanged; At least 8 persons died in prison, an infant and a child among others; The eldest man had been sentenced by the court and stoning to death by citizens. The hysteria spreads not only to Salem but the neighboring town, Andover. A wave of fear overwhelms the region. However, when the accusers filed charges against the high-ranked respectable people, the paranoia begins to reduce. Ludicrously, even the governor’s wife had been accused of being a witch. To prevent his wife imprisonment, the Governor forbade any further arrests. Skepticism mounted in the society as to the competence of witchcraft charges. Soon after, society opinion turned against the trials. Forty-nine individuals accused of sorcery were acquitted. Shortly afterward, the General Court declared the Salem trials unlawful. Many judges involved in the witch case publicly confessed to being responsible and guilty of mass hangings innocent people. The good name of those who become the victim of witchcraft madness was restored; their heirs got  £600 in restitution. Who is Responsible? However, what caused the mysterious sickness of the young girls? What disease bewildered a Salem doctor and the whole community? Complete studies were published by psychologist Linda Caporael who supposed the fungus ergot was responsible for delusions and hallucinations experienced by the sick children. The fungus ergot could be easily found in wheat or rye. Their toxins can lead to vomiting, muscle spasms, and other symptomatic described in the Salem witch case. Conclusion To study the roots of the witchcraft hysteria, numerous factors must be analyzed such as the political problems, internal conflicts, superstition and townspeoples belief in supernatural evil beings. The blind faith prevails in society affecting the perception New Englands pioneers. The Puritans who were seeking for great purity believed they had failed God. Therefore, they must be punished for the sins. It is a glaring example of unnecessary sacrifices caused by humans’ ignorance.