The Salem Witch Trials History Essay Sample
History has shown us that witch trials are a brutal part of our past. The Salem Witch Trials, the infamous event that took place in 1692 and resulted in the death of 20 citizens of Salem, MA. The Salem Witch Trials is an event that shaped not only our history but also has implications for our society even today. This essay is a brief summary of what happened during these trials and how they affected this small town in Massachusetts and the history behind these trials while also highlighting some other interesting facts that you may not have known about them.
Essay Example on The Salem Witch Trials History
Thesis Statement
The Salem Witch Trials are an event that shaped not only our history but also has implications for our society even today. The reasons for the events in Salem were complex, but ultimately it can be surmised that fear and ignorance combined to create a tense situation.
Introduction
This essay discusses the witch trials that took place in Salem, Massachusetts. This trial took place in 1692 and as part of the trials, as many as 141 people were taken into preventive custody. At least 20 persons were executed as part of the trials. Researchers in history have attributed the Salem witch trials as court trials that were aimed to prosecute individuals accused of practising witchcraft.
These trials were conducted between 1692 and 1693. The hearings about the trials were conducted in various towns. The main trial was conducted in the town of Salem. The trial started when some people were charged with practising witchcraft. They were later arrested. Some died in custody.
Among the accused, there were 14 women prisoners and 5 men prisoners. All the 19 prisoners and accused were executed as part of the trials. Because of this trial, there arose several problems within the society. There were fears of religious extremism.
Main Essay Body
Reasons for Witch Trials
This section of the essay discusses the various causes of the witch trials. It all began with Putnam (leaders of separatist groups) became rich, amassed wealth and land, and decided to form groups (religious) and stay united within Salem. The religious groups in those times received many benefits apart from houses and salaries. The members of the groups were paid by the money collected from the taxes.
Hence others questioned the need for such types of lavish treatments rendered to the members of the religious groups. In this manner, a divide was created between those who were not members of religious groups (Puritans) and those who are members of the religious groups. The Puritans were against the Church of England.
They started practising witchcraft to harm the members of the religious sect. the members of the religious sect considered practising witchcraft as an act of sin. Such religious divide fueled the witchcraft trial of Salem in 1692. This event led to the execution of many witches who were believed to be Puritans. Some historians believed that the trials happened because of other reasons.
There is a political divide between the poor English settlers and their rich opponents in Salem. Farming was the main cause of dispute between families and their neighbours. There were various social reasons like the people’s attitude towards children, women, Puritans that led to the happening of the trials of Salem in 1692.
Notions of witches
In those days farming was a prominent profession in Salem town. People in Salem believed that the witches are responsible for drought and crop failure. It was believed that the witches practised certain activities that are known to reverse climate changes. Puritans were known to do witch-hunting. In those days, arracks and major illnesses were attributed to witchcraft.
Besides, the witches were regarded as against Christians since they are known to derive their powers from the anti-Christ. The witches are known to annihilate the lives of the people in Salem. The majority of the people residing in Salem think of killing the witches.
What are the motivations for attacking certain types of people for practising witchcraft?
The accusers are mostly from religious communities within Salem. They were against the activities that were performed by the witches during those days. The Puritans were a community within Salem that gas certain social beliefs about children and women. They were a threat to the religious communities in Salem. The Puritans were against the religious community and they were against the traditions that were practised by the churches.
The majority of the large families in Salem were against witchcraft, they were against the Puritans. They accused the witches of damaging their crops, causing the death of kids and destruction to livestock. Church ministers of that time were also against the activities of the witches. The accusers of witchcraft had the objective to curb witchcraft. They, therefore, acted to stop the witches from practising witchcraft in society.
Analysis of those accused of witchcraft
This section of the essay discusses those who were accused of witchcraft in Salem. It is understood that the accused are mainly Puritans. These persons were against Christianity and they were against the order of the church. The accused of witchcraft were those who maintained social status within Salem. These individuals were often feared and revered for possessing evil powers. Most of the witches resided in the east of Salem and they are known to amass a huge amount of wealth. They were also accused of killing innocents in Salem town to loot them.
From the essay, it is quite clear that the witch trials took place in Salem because in those times the society in Salem was badly affected by the menace of witchcraft. The witches were accused of causing death and diseases to kids and women. Salem witches were believed to be wealthy people. They enjoyed high status within the farming community of Salem town. The Salem with trials led to the capture and execution of witches in Salem.
Conclusion
Despite the Salem Witch Trials being long over, it is an important part of history and should be studied. A focus on what we can learn from this event could help bring attention to how these events shape our world today. The Salem witch trials were one of the most significant moments in American history for many reasons, not just because they took place so long ago. These trials set precedents that are still used today.