Alright. This period in American history fascinates me, so I decided to start a topic about it.
So, some background info on the Salem Witch Trials. In the 1600's, the Puritans came to America to avoid religious persecution. However, a few girls, starting with Elizabeth Parris and Abigail Williams (Abigail was the neice of Mr. Parris), began to start screaming and acting strangely. People didnt know what was going on, so they assumed it was the work of the Devil. The girls then accused three women of being under the influence of the Devil. Tituba (their slave), Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborne. All three of them were tried for being witches. Goody Good and Goody Osborne were both executed, however, Tituba confessed to witchcraft and was sold back into slavery. The girls then started to accuse more people of being witches, and more people were tried and executed.
Confessing to witchcraft would mean that you wouldn't die, however, since none of the convicted were actual witches, it would be a lie. Lying was a sin, which is why the convicted were hesitant to do this. The way they were tried was very interesting. Water is said to repel all things that aren't pure. So, if someone was a witch, they would float. They would be thrown into a pond and if they were to drown, they were not a witch. However, if they didn't drown, they would be guilty of being a witch, and eventually executed. If there was no proof that they were innocent, the convicted would be guilty. Women were more likely to be convicted of witchcraft than men. This was because, women could not be ministers, so they were more likely to turn to the Devil. People would accuse others of being witches for many reasons. They could either just not like them, want some attention, or they could want their land. Like, if a man's neighbor had some land, and the man wanted it, he would accuse his neighbor of being a witch, and therefore gain some land.
All of this may seem irrelevent nowadays, however, it has had a long-lasting effect on our judicial system. Back then, all were guilty until proven innocent. Now, all are innocent until proven guilty.
There are some good reads set in the time of the Salem Witch Trials. One of them is the play, The Crucible. This play really captures a more dramatic aspect of the Salem Witch Trials. It was written by Arthur Miller, and he used the history of the Salem Witch Trials to create an interesting and dramatic play. Another is The Witch of Blackbird Pond. This classic novel really shows some reference of the Salme Witch Trials.
So, what do you think about this time? And what do you think about the effect it's had on our judicial system?
I think it was ironic that the Puritans came from England to avoid religious persecution, yet, they executed others for being witches. And I'm glad that it's now innocent until proven guilty. Because charging someone can really ruin their life, and if you have no proof that they're guilty, their life is ruined for nothing.
So, some background info on the Salem Witch Trials. In the 1600's, the Puritans came to America to avoid religious persecution. However, a few girls, starting with Elizabeth Parris and Abigail Williams (Abigail was the neice of Mr. Parris), began to start screaming and acting strangely. People didnt know what was going on, so they assumed it was the work of the Devil. The girls then accused three women of being under the influence of the Devil. Tituba (their slave), Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborne. All three of them were tried for being witches. Goody Good and Goody Osborne were both executed, however, Tituba confessed to witchcraft and was sold back into slavery. The girls then started to accuse more people of being witches, and more people were tried and executed.
Confessing to witchcraft would mean that you wouldn't die, however, since none of the convicted were actual witches, it would be a lie. Lying was a sin, which is why the convicted were hesitant to do this. The way they were tried was very interesting. Water is said to repel all things that aren't pure. So, if someone was a witch, they would float. They would be thrown into a pond and if they were to drown, they were not a witch. However, if they didn't drown, they would be guilty of being a witch, and eventually executed. If there was no proof that they were innocent, the convicted would be guilty. Women were more likely to be convicted of witchcraft than men. This was because, women could not be ministers, so they were more likely to turn to the Devil. People would accuse others of being witches for many reasons. They could either just not like them, want some attention, or they could want their land. Like, if a man's neighbor had some land, and the man wanted it, he would accuse his neighbor of being a witch, and therefore gain some land.
All of this may seem irrelevent nowadays, however, it has had a long-lasting effect on our judicial system. Back then, all were guilty until proven innocent. Now, all are innocent until proven guilty.
There are some good reads set in the time of the Salem Witch Trials. One of them is the play, The Crucible. This play really captures a more dramatic aspect of the Salem Witch Trials. It was written by Arthur Miller, and he used the history of the Salem Witch Trials to create an interesting and dramatic play. Another is The Witch of Blackbird Pond. This classic novel really shows some reference of the Salme Witch Trials.
So, what do you think about this time? And what do you think about the effect it's had on our judicial system?
I think it was ironic that the Puritans came from England to avoid religious persecution, yet, they executed others for being witches. And I'm glad that it's now innocent until proven guilty. Because charging someone can really ruin their life, and if you have no proof that they're guilty, their life is ruined for nothing.
