What were the Salem witches accused of?

witchcraft
The Salem witch trials occurred in colonial Massachusetts between 1692 and 1693. More than 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft—the Devil’s magic—and 20 were executed. Eventually, the colony admitted the trials were a mistake and compensated the families of those convicted.

Who was accused in the Salem witch trials and why?

The afflicted girls soon accused three women: the Parris’ “Indian” slave, Tituba; a local beggar woman, Sarah Good; and an invalid widow, Sarah Osbourne. As local magistrates began questioning the accused, people packed into a tavern to witness the girls come face to face with the women they had accused of witchcraft.

Who accused witches in the Salem witch trials?

Among them were Ann Putnam Jr., Elizabeth Booth, Elizabeth Hubbard, Mary Warren, Mercy Lewis, and a few others. These young girls became the main accusers during the Salem witch trials, instigating the execution of nineteen people.

Why the Salem witch trials were unfair?

The Salem Witch Trials a way to suppress people from exposing the truth behind the Government. The Trials were unfair, the Government and the townspeople were corrupt, and they had stress from outer threats surrounding the village.

Why were two dogs killed in the Salem witch trials?

However, hundreds of lives were damaged by the Salem witch hunts. A total of 24 innocent people died for their alleged participation in dark magic. Two dogs were even executed due to suspicions of their involvement in witchcraft.

Why the Salem Witch Trials are important?

Despite what some people believe, the Salem Witch Trials are an important part of American history because innocent people lost their lives, it could have been prevented, and something similar could happen again if people aren’t careful. The trials occurred in colonial Massachusetts between 1692 and 1693.

What unusual evidence was allowed in the Salem Witch Trials?

It was virtually impossible to disprove charges of witchcraft in Salem, and defendants were convicted with no evidence other than personal accusations, the presence of a “devil’s mark” on their bodies, or because they failed one of the so-called “witch tests.” The courts accepted spectral evidence, that is, evidence …

How old was the youngest person killed in the Salem witch trials?

This sent panic throughout the Village of Salem and led to accusations of more than 200 local citizens over the next several months, including Dorothy “Dorcas” Good who was by far the youngest accused at age 4 (she spent eight months in the prison’s dungeon before being released) along with her mother, Sarah Good (who …

How old was the youngest victim of the Salem witch trials?

Dorothy, written as “Dorcas” on the warrant for her arrest, received a brief hearing in which the accusers repeatedly complained of bites on their arms. She was sent to jail, becoming at age five the youngest person to be jailed during the Salem witch trials.

Why the Salem Witch Trials were unfair?

Who were the people being accused of witches in Salem?

Among them were Ann Putnam Jr., Elizabeth Booth, Elizabeth Hubbard, Mary Warren, Mercy Lewis , and a few others. These young girls became the main accusers during the Salem witch trials, instigating the execution of nineteen people.

Why were so many people accused of being witches in Salem?

Women were blamed for witchcraft because of their low authority in the political system, and the way they were viewed in the Puritan society. The gender roles consisted of many differences during the period of the Salem Witch Trials, and therefore caused more women to be accused of witchcraft.

What options did an accused witch have in Salem?

Colonists accused of witchcraft in the Salem Witch Trials did not have a lot of options. Salem was ruled by English law at the time which dictated that if a grand jury handed up a “true bill,” which indicates that there is evidence of misbehavior, the person would be indicted and a formal trial by jury would follow.

What is the evidence of the real witches in Salem?

Most of the convictions and executions were grounded in the testimony of spectral evidence. Spectral evidence is evidence-based on visions and dreams of the actions of a witch’s spirit or specter. Thus, spectral evidence is testimony about what an accused person’s spirit did, rather than actions of the accused person in the body. In the Salem witch trials, spectral evidence was used as evidence in the courts, especially in the early trials.