What Is The Salem Witch Trial Of 1692

The terror of the infamous 1692 witch hunts in Salem Massachusetts ravenously assaulted the peaceful existence of innocent men and women accused of consorting with the devil. A portion of the mayhem was contributed to fear which readily bred among puritan settlements struggling to survive America’s arduous environment. In a Salem witch trial documentary presented by the History Channel, Thaddeus Russell explains “They were afraid of death by starvation, death by exposure, they were afraid of death by savages” (History Channel, Russell). Additionally, the puritan’s strict religious beliefs added excessive distress among settlers where austere restrictions, mostly shaped by unsound doctrine, maintained the belief that almost every incident was

After a doctor examined the girls he suggested that witchcraft could be the source of their torment since he could find no natural cause. Tituba had prepared a “witchcake” which was to reveal the identity of the afflicter. However this action supported her involvement with witchcraft. Reverend Parris found out and became furious. The girls accused Tituba, Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborne as bewitching them. Reverend Parris was said to have beat a confession out of Tituba. Judges John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin examined the three women. Good and Osborne plead innocent. But Tituba confessed to the charge in order to save her own life and surprised observers by testifying that Sarah Good and Sarah Osborne were accomplices. She concocted an elaborate story which the judges readily accepted. “She claimed there were other witches acting alongside her in service of the devil against the Puritans” (History.com). This admission created a panic within Salem village; people were terrified that the devil was loose in their community. Ann Putnam’s daughter and other Salem girls began to experience similar symptoms and accusations rapidly flourished. The Putnam’s became influential accusers in the Salem Witch Trials, testifying against over one-hundred people. Neighbor accused neighbor. For instance, a farmer accused his neighbor Carrie of witchcraft after they had an argument and his cattle died. Later, when a young girl was suffering with stomach pains, she claimed to have heard Carrie’s voice telling her she was poisoned. Even her own children testified against her. But the most damaging testimony came from several young girls who screamed from pain when they saw her in the courtroom. They claimed they could see the devil whispering