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Salem Witch Trials Research Essay

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Ty Landis Morgan Roediger ENGL 103-008 12 January 2023 I am interested in how historical events have shaped modern events. I enjoy exploring “butterfly effects” in which one event has led to another event occur. An infamous example of this, which happens to be the concept’s namesake, is a butterfly flapping its wings causing a tsunami. Obviously, the former event does not cause the latter, but the two could be connected by many smaller events. When reflecting on topic I have researched in the past, I always take special interest in the Salem Witch Trials. I think this is a fascinating event in history that underscores the flaws and prejudices inherent in organized societies. Therefore, I created the research question: have historical “witch …show more content…

I also have a memory regarding learning more about the Salem Witch Trials after visiting the Smithsonian American History Museum in Washington D.C. with my family. In addition, I also have another layer of connection with this topic as I am going to pursue a minor in political science and I have always tried to be an advocate for political issues, meaning that the law element of my research question can tie into my scholastic personality. I think being able to contextualize this multifaceted topic through my personal experiences could ground the topic in a relatable narrative. In my research about this topic, I want to explore law and the legal system, as well as its evolution in American history. Additionally, as denoted by my question’s general wording, I would also like to explore less literal “witch hunts” in history and how they changed the legal system. For example, a common “witch hunt” in American history associated with false accusations is the McCarthy …show more content…

This is a play that portrays the Salem Witch Trials and follows characters such as Samuel Paris, John Proctor, and Abigail Williams. I think this historical fiction will provide relatability and depth to my research as it highlights how the Trials were part of a larger issue around false accusations, evidence, and the ineptitude of truth-seeking in history. Furthermore, the writing also involves a plot in which the accusers in Salem are secretly witches, an apt metaphor for the selfish, hypocritical nature behind many historical “witch trials.” (2018). In addition to an outside writing, I might also consult a professor of history with knowledge about the Salem Witch Trials or McCarthyism to deepen the ethos of my topic by giving a professional outlook on how these events objectively defined the criminal justice system today. When researching my question, I want to find information that will allow me to argue that “witch trials” have shaped the modern legal system, but that we can still observe instances of prejudice today. I would like to tie in topics such as modern cases of wrongful convictions in the criminal justice system or more recent Supreme Court cases that highlight the ongoing issue of discrimination in

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Lauren McGilvray February 15, 2023 Prompt 1: The Salem Witch Trials of 1962 and the New York Slave Conspiracy of 1741 are two events that seem to have unraveled in similar ways. Each event created paranoia and distrust in the surrounding community and made nearby townspeople question their safety. These two events were impacted by various factors that led to a questionable way of dealing with each situation. Beginning the year of 1962, a hysteria began in the Salem Village of the Massachusetts Bay Colony over the possibility of witches inflicting harm on the community. In order to understand the causes of this event, it is important to mention factors that may have contributed.

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In both The Crucible and in modern day witch hunts, witch hunts are caused out of fear or for personal gain. Jill Schonebelen wrote a research paper on Witchcraft allegations, refugee protection and human rights. Throughout this article, it mentions the persecution of witches today in communities around the globe, mentioning the flashbacks of similar strategies that were used in the past, doing different types of tortures. In Modern days, recent generations have abandoned wonderful traditions. Rather, recollecting others with distasteful memories such as witchcraft.

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The Salem Witch Trials are widely known in American History. My inquiry into the trials consists of a series of questions: What was the purpose of mainly targeting women? How did the trials overall affect future legislation? How did the trials change society then and now? This will introduce the misogyny behind the trials, the ages that were mainly affected, and why they were targeted.

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The Salem witch trial hysteria of 1692 may have been instigated by religious, social, geographic and even biological factors. During these trials, 134 people were condemned as witches and 19 were hanged. These statistics also include 5 more deaths that occurred prior to their execution date. It is interesting to look into the causes of this stain on American History, when as shown in document B, eight citizens were hanged in only one day.

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They have been seen as a mirror of the times' fears and tensions, as well as a warning of the risks of public frenzy, bigotry, and injustice. Witch-hunts were triggered by several circumstances, including

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The Salem witch trials had a long-lasting impact on the American justice system. Salem had an impact on the justice system by helping to create the idea that all men are innocent until proven guilty. Salem helped create this idea due to the fact that during the trials if a person were to be incriminated of being a witch they would consequently be put on trial. The person on trial wouldn’t receive a lawyer and no investigation was done. The trials didn’t require real evidence to be used.

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The Salem witch trials, which took place in the late 17th century in colonial Massachusetts, remain one of the most notorious incidents of mass hysteria and injustice in American history. Lasting from 1692 to 1693, this dark chapter claimed the lives of innocent individuals accused of practicing witchcraft. This essay delves into the origins of the witchcraft trials, the role of Massachusetts society in fueling the trials, and the eventual end and repercussions of this tragic event. Origin and First Accused: The witchcraft trials in Salem were sparked by a complex mix of religious, social, and economic factors.

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American Muslims in Witch Hunt of Discrimination in the United States The Salem Witch Trials in Massachusetts during the year of 1692 relates to the persecution of Muslim Americans today in American society. The women accused of witchcraft had a stereotype put on them that they were different and dangerous in Puritan society. Muslims receive stereotypes as harmful and terrorists from the people of America due to terrorist attacks that have occurred in the United States. The definition of a witch hunt is an attempt to find and punish a particular group of people falsely accused for something because their opinions and not because they have done something wrong (Collins English Dictionary).

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In addition to the many different views of witchcraft, be it positive or the negative, from various communities throughout the years, one also has to consider the impact it has left through the course of history. A well-known impact or event that concerns witchcraft is the Salem Witch Trials. It was an event that lead to hearings, persecutions, and accusations of people that were said to be dealing with witchcraft. When witchcraft was discovered in Salem, Franklin Mixon states, “No fewer than six other ministers soon came to Salem… idle superstition was not permitted, and "spectral evidence" was admitted in court by the ministers who served as counsel and jurists in the proceedings which would follow (Starkey 1963, 28-29)” (Mixon, pg.2).

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Over 300 years ago, more than 100 citizens of the colony of Massachusetts were accused of the crime of witchcraft, and many executed. Although this era in history, known as the Salem Witch Trials, lasted only mere months, its impact on the American criminal justice system has lasted until present day. Although both the trials in Salem and modern America are based on a similar justice system, there are vast differences, specifically in the rights of the defense, most notable in the separation of Church and State, the standards of evidence, and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. The modern American criminal justice system, in comparison to that of the time of the Salem Witch Trials, has changed drastically. No longer is the rule of law based on

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The Salem witch trials was one of the most absurd and tragic events in history of pre-colonial America. A fine example of how believing in accusations and hearsay could affect a lot of people in a short span of time. the justice system is flawed and prejudice was allowed to reign over the people. I found this topic very interesting even though it is one of the most regretted in history. I’ve always been the type of person who likes reading all those weird and peculiar things on the internet.

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Today, Your Honour we are here to exonerate the wrongfully convicted men and women of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials of Massachusetts. Men and women were accused of witchcraft, 19 well respectable people were hung. As we know religion has no place in court, therefore eliminating the conclusion of witchcraft. Leaving us to look for other reasons and motives that appeal to human emotion such a s fear, greed and jealousy. Emotions like this led to the deaths in Salem.

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