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Salem Witch Trials Essay

596 Words3 Pages

In American history, the Salem Witch Trials serve as a prime representation and example of intolerance and injustice. The Salem Witch Trials were trials that went on for approximately one year, it all began when two girls claimed that they were being possessed” by the devil and they accused some women of witchcraft. The two “afflicted girls” accused the very first three victims, Tituba, Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborne. The Salem Witch Trials began in February of 1692 and ended in May of 1693. The Salem Witch Trials are an important representation and illustration of prejudice and injustice in American history.

More than 200 innocent people were accused. 20 innocent people died including women, men, and children. Some people were accused when …show more content…

It hadn’t really taken much to persuade the villagers of Salem that there was evil among them since they were faithful and strongly religious.

Mainly women were among the 200 people accused. 14 women had been prosecuted. There was an estimate of 75% of the witchcraft accusations being put on women. Since in other people's eyes women were more likely to be witches and use witchcraft they were the “main” cause. Many of the men that were among the 200 innocent people accused of witchcraft happened to be related to the alleged witches (husbands or fathers). The event's long-term impacts on society were one of its most significant impacts since they introduced a new era of distrust and terror towards anyone who might have appeared "unusual" or behaved differently from their neighbors. The effects of the Salem Witch Trials on those who were directly affected are unimaginable. For instance, families of those accused were crushed when loved ones passed away or were imprisoned for years without the possibility of release. Because many people felt the accused's home contained proof demonstrating guilt, these charges occasionally even led to property seizures. People also suffered severe mental distress as a result of being labeled as witches and feeling rejected by their

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