Salem Witch Trials

Salem Witch Trials

By:Amanda RyanArika McLean

Christopher Connick

The Tragedy

In 1692, a horrible fear gripped the settlement of Salem. The citizens believed that their

daughters were being influenced by witches; thus the now famous Salem Witch Trials were

born.

Where is Salem?

Salem is in the state of Massachusetts.

At the time of the witch trials, the city

was just a developing town.

Society at the Time

People were frightened of what they did not know.

They turned to the church for answers.

As a result, the church was very influential on the people.

Accusations

The first accusations of witchcraft were made shortly after an incident during mass.

Daughters of prominent men in Salem began pointing the finger at those around them.

Video: The Story of the Witch Hunt

http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schooladventures/salemwitchtrials/story/

Stereotyping

Traits of a witch: Woman Elderly Poor Ugly Antisocial or

different Kept cats

Who was Accused?

Accused(185)

Tried(59)

Convicted(31)

Put to Death(19)

7

5

5

44

52

14

26

141

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The Trials

The “trials” were not fair. Confession or not, you were guilty.

During a trial, anything could be stated and taken as truth. No Proof was necessary.

Torture and Confessions

If no confession was given, one would be coaxed out of you.

Public humiliation was a very popular form of torture.

Tests were also performed, like the floating test.

Conviction

Convicted witches were put to death.

Witches were hanged in Salem, never burned alive.

The Aftermath

After the summer of 1692, the trials officially ended.

The accused were eventually pardoned.

There is no one fully accepted belief as to how the trials started.

There are many theories, such as ergot poisoning.

The End

Thank You