The Salem Witch Hysteria Essay Research Paper — страница 2

it was no wonder she was accused. C – The next to be convicted was Martha Corey and Rebecca Nurse. Both were upstanding members of the community. Always avid church goers. However, they became quite suspicious of the trial proceedings and openly spoke out against the accusers. Soon after they were accused. D – Martha’s husband , Giles Corey, made a deposition against her. Once he realized what he had done, he retracted his statement. A warrant for his arrest was then issued. He refused to enter a plea. He was crushed to death under a board and stones for not being compliant. F – Next to be denounced a witch was Elizabeth Proctor. When her husband, John Proctor tried to defend her, he was accused and imprisoned. He was convicted and hung later. His wife however, b/c with

child was not. G – The list goes on of so many similar stories. In total 13 women and 6 men were hung for being witches. Names – females-Bridgett Bishop, Martha carrier, Martha Corey, Mary Easty, Sarah Goode, Elizabeth Howe, Susannah Martin, Rebecca Nurse, Alice Parker, Mary Parker, Ann Pudeator, Margaret Scott, Sarah Wildes. Males- George burroughs, George Jacobs , SR, John Proctor, Wilmott Redd, Samuel Wardwell, and John Willard. H – The reason they were hung was because they would not confess. If they did confess, they would have went to jail and not died. Why were these people accused and convicted? A – A common similarity found amongst all the people who were hung, was that they all had had past disagreement, or land argument with some on in the town. Often one of

the accusers. B- For example, George Burroughs was a Minister but quarreled over his salary and left. During the trial, the afflicted girls referred to him as the ” black Minister” . And Claimed he was leader of the Salem Coven C- John Proctor was known for being outspoken and hot tempered. He was a wealthy land owner and owned a tavern. And he was sternly opposed to the witchcraft trials and openly spoke out against them. The people who accused John proctor were the people he spoke out against. D – Giles Corey had a criminal record and a hot -temper. He would constantly argue and threaten neighbors. E – So you see , the people accused were people who frequently caused conflict amongst powerful people in town. VI – Conclusion- A – The Salem Witch trials ended on Nov.

25th 1692, 2 months after the last 8 people were hung. Thomas Brattle wrote a letter criticizing the trials. The letter impacted Governor Phips , who dissolved the court of Oyer and Terminer . The courts in Salem trying the cases. B – The general courts of the colony created the superior court to try the remaining cases. This time no one was convicted. C – The Salem witch hysteria was a tragedy that caused families to break up, and innocent people there lives. D- Was there really a ” Witch Hysteria” ? Or was it just playful girls who got in over there head? Did the accusers really believe the people they were accusing were really witches? Or was it an easy way to rid the town of ” Socially undesirable” and the conflict causers? The only 19 people who would ever really

know, were hung.