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How Did The Salem Witch Trials Influence The American Legal System

645 Words3 Pages

During the 1600s, Puritan religious beliefs heavily influenced the American legal system, which led to the Salem Witch Trials in 1692. Many years later, the American author shares the story of the chaos that ensued following the first witch accusation in his play titled The Crucible. In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, the witch trials prove religion taints judgment on justice, and leads to inconsistent legal actions and decisions. The success of the baseless allegations, the unjust consequences, and the conflicting legal choices prove the legal inconsistencies in the play. Firstly, the nonexistent presumption of innocence establishes the prejudiced opinions caused by religious standpoints. Near the end of Act I, Abigail Williams accuses the Bajan slave, Tituba, of being a witch. All involved are instantly against Tituba, believing in her culpability. For example, “quote” (Miller 44). Instead of trying to figure …show more content…

For instance, on page 88, Danforth reveals that “quote” (Miller 88). The court disagrees with the fact that the cases are built upon with a small amount of fact and proof and finds little credence among the religious statements, demonstrating that they are in the wrong when using religion as proof. Nevertheless, they are still allowing religion to take over the legal system, since nothing is being done to halt the trials from moving forward. Additionally, the state requires real legal proof on some occasions throughout the work. For instance, “Mr. Proctor, I must have good legal proof that you—” (Miller 143). Governor Danforth could not take John Proctor’s confession into account, since he would not sign a written confession. Illustratively, they bounce between needing legal proof and going off of someone’s word. Ultimately, the witch trials prove religion taints judgment on justice and leads to inconsistent legal actions and decisions since it switches between using proper law and

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For instance, the defendants were not allowed an attorney or any sort of help, although the prosecution was. This even violated the sixth amendment in the American Constitution, meaning it was outright illegal (EB 1). Another example of unfairness to the defendant, is that all of the judges of the court had no legal background or training, and ran the courts only from the knowledge of the Bible, and advice from Ministers (2 CSD 1). This lack of legal background almost guaranteed that if they had to make a decision, they would decide in favor of the prosecution, because that was the side they supported. Furthermore, the courts were also run unfairly because anytime someone was found not guilty, the judges would urge the jury to think again, trying to make them vote guilty (1 CSD

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The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 are a dark and haunting chapter in American history, remembered for hysteria, paranoia, and the tragic loss of innocent lives. At the center of this period were the judges who presided over the trials, holding immense power and authority in a community controlled by fear and suspicion. Judges such as Samuel Sewall and William Stoughton, prominent members of the Puritan society in colonial Massachusetts, played pivotal roles in the unfolding drama of accusations, trials, and executions that defined the Salem Witch Trials. A closer look at the judges involved in this episode reveals the difficulty and stupidity of their decisions, the impact of their actions, and the legacy of their roles in one of the most infamous

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Among the hundreds that were charged, a considerable lot of them were the general population who did not trust the same confidence as the Puritans, for example, the West Indian hirelings. The primary West Indian worker to be blamed for being a witch was Tituba. All through the records of the warrants and the examinations of Tituba in 1691-1692 she is alluded to as "Tituba an Indian Woman hireling," demonstrating the Puritan culture's taking note of her as various, both in race and religion. Additionally, in the trial of Sarah Good, 1692, Harthorn asks "what god doe you serve," demonstrating the significance of the religion of the charged and how the judge considered that certainty. Despite the fact that numerous history specialists contend that monetary and political insecurity filled a great part of the allegations, a ton of the allegations were additionally in view of religious conviction.

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John Proctor, who portrays the questioning views of puritan society {ADJSC}, questions the truthfulness of witch trial through evidence that the court uses to find the victims guilty, which leads him to challenge the court {ADVSC}. Miller states that “John Proctor would rebel against, for the time of the armed camp had almost passed….” (24) This means that Proctor has a rebellious nature, not having agreed with the court. Due to his stubborn attitude shown towards the court he creates a disagreement between him and the court. In this disagreement Proctor becomes a partisan for those being tried by this idea of spectral evidence, which can only be testified by the affected subject in a situation {PAPP}.

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Arthur Miller’s work, The Crucible, was written during the “Red Scare” time period, and many themes and ideas regarding both events are presented through a drama based on the Salem witch trials. In this drama, a lack of justice is shown when some jealous, vengeful characters in Salem are willing to use manipulation and deceit, and sacrifice the reputations and integrity of all involved, in order to empower themselves.

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The witch trials in Salem in the year 1692 was a scowling time in American history. The New York Post explains about The Crucible play that “... at a time when America was convulsed by a new epidemic of witchhunting, The Crucible brilliantly explores the threshold between individual guilt and mass hysteria, personal spite and collective evil.” In The Crucible, John Proctor and his wife are hit with many situations which burdens their relationship. While this is going on, many people were being accused as witches for little incidents which they thought would add up to witchcraft. During this time period, the grudges and personal rivalries between people makes these witch trials immoral and unethical.

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In Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible,” the Salem witch trials showcase a harsh reminder of the dangers of false accusations and panic within a society. However, there are notable similarities between the distribution of false information

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Until rebellion, the high-powered individuals were never seen negatively due to a divine reason that they were destined to be in power. This would cause a hierarchy to flip upside down during the Salem Witch Trials. The Puritan hierarchy and the events in The Crucible by Arthur Miller show the inevitable fall of the Salem theocracy and how the power was flipped on its head. Miller’s use of the Puritan hierarchy sets up the power and abuse to come. While the courts stand for justice and are the fundamental leaders of our society today, it is different in Salem.

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In the small town of Salem, religion was a strict priority, and strange illnesses like these were often thought to be the devil’s work. Miller demonstrated the paradox in The Crucible from the beginning of the play by allowing Abigail Williams and the other girls to unjustly accuse whomever they wanted of witchcraft. The play presented us how too much power is dangerous, for the temptation was always there to abuse it. Under the justification of a theocratic government, the people in authority in Salem abused their almost absolute power, destroying many innocent people in the process. What theocracy illustrates is how the law is not always based on truth, and that if it is not we should stand up to it.

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