Salem witch trials1 Essay Example For Students

Salem witch trials1 Essay Historical Overview and Brief AnalysisAmidst millenniums of debate, argument, and conflict concerning racial prejudges and those issues which surround their implementation, there has consistently existed a certain historical prejudice regarding various stereotypical ideas for those things which people can not understand or explain logically. While more contemporary examples of such circumstances include concepts such as McCarthyism, it is generally accepted that the most classic example of all such social tragedies based on fear and ignorance is that of the colonial eras Salem Witch Trials. While Mc Carthyism was illustrated as a widespread fear of communism that led the United States to pursue unnecessary investigations, imprisonments, and often unprovoked acts against those who were often only remotely accused of being a dreaded communist, the Salem witch trials led to well over a dozen executions of local women accused of practicing witchcraft and directly associating themselves with evil magic. Although the two historical periods were parallel in their nature and content, it can be argued the much earlier witch trials were the more severely inhumane and irrational as they rendered a constant trend of senseless deaths with little or no justice ever prevailing. The Salem witch trials were held during the year 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts Bay Colony. Beginning in May of that year, the proceedings led to the hanging deaths of nineteen suspected witches and the imprisonment of many others over the five months that would follow. The courtroom episodes of those being tried for witchery were complete, and utter travesties of justice. Women were actually considered guilty as accused until proven innocent. In addition to the known hangings, other cruel forms of punishment such as the burning of witches on a stake and the slow torturous human crushings by brick are evidenced to have existed as Salems justice for their alleged witches. (Brown., Pages 37-41;43). That which is said to have initiated the trials and related hysteria has become an historical irony in our time and is the subject of many contemporary jokes and theatrical performances. Caused by the accusations of a few young girls against women in the Salem community; a special court was co nvened; and trials grew quickly into socially stereotypical prejudices regarding any women seen acting out of or performing witchery. Within time the social chaos did not even exclude Salems more prestigious women as the local governors wife was even implicated in accusations of witchcraft. The dramatic irony is re-exemplified through an examination of the young ladies who intentionally lied to a religious authority and created the spark to cause the fire. Based entirely on their beliefs and accusations, the fear and ignorance of an entire town led to hundreds of imprisonments and nearly two scores of senseless deaths. (Brown; Pp. 67-74). When community leaders did finally begin to cast doubt on evidence; special court was dissolved and those imprisoned were pardoned. Eventually indemnities were paid to the families of those killed yet of the three judges who presided over the trials, only Samuel Sewall admitted error in a public statement The Salem witch trials were clearly Americas most notorious episode of witchcraft. The actual practice of witch persecution, is not however one created in North America at all. The belief in witchcraft was carried to colonial America from Europe, where in the two centuries before 1650 thousands had been executed as witches. The Salem incident, as I wrote, began when two young girls in the household of the Reverend Samuel Parris began to behave oddly. The girls had participated in meetings at which incantations had been cast and attempts made to foretell the future. They were examined by a doctor, ministers, and magistrates, who all concluded that they were bewitched. The resulting f renzy spread rapidly and the new royal governor, Sir William Phips, established a special seven-member court in which to try the prisoners. Jurors were drawn from church membership lists, and the chained defendants had no counsel. In early June, Bridget Bishop was convicted. A brief delay followed because somejudges were uneasy about the validity of spectral evidence such as testimony givenby witnesses about voices or apparitions perceived only by them. The trials were resumed after several leading ministers advised the court that such evidence might be used, but only with exquisite caution. By September 22, the court had tried and convicted twenty-seven persons. Nineteen were hanged, and one, Giles Corey, was said to have been pressed to death by stones. In addition, about fifty had actually confessed, one hundred were in prison awaiting trial, and accusations had touched another two hundred on top of that. (Hansen, Pp 103-111;133-114). Cause And Effect Essay On SmokingIn 1994, the events of the Salem Witch Trials and McCarthyism are viewed as unjust and even barbaric. It is however necessary to consider the standard cliche of relative history; those involved at the time believed that they were doing right. Therefore from a more philosophical perspective it is possible to question the validity of our contemporary justice system; Have we created yet another witch-hunt for terrorists ?For probably as long as there is society, there will exist things which we do not understand and things which we can not rationally explain. As long as there such questionable items; there will exist ignorance and over-dramatized fear. So even today, as we stare into the skies and question the existence of U.F.Os, I wonder only if we will ever advance and stop holding Salem Witch trials. Arnold and Nissembaum, Stephen, Salem Possessed: Printed in 1974 Brown, David, The Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692. Printed in 1984. Hansen, C., Witchcraft at Salem. Printed in 1987. Gitterich, K. McCarthyism. Printed in 1979. Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. Re-printed in 1986. With an Emphasis on The Crucible and McCarthyismGurko, Leo. The Heroic Impulse in The Old Man and the Sea.Bibliography: