Salem Witch Trials Research Essay

Ty Landis
Morgan Roediger
ENGL 103-008
12 January 2023 I am interested in how historical events have shaped modern events. I enjoy exploring “butterfly effects” in which one event has led to another event occur. An infamous example of this, which happens to be the concept’s namesake, is a butterfly flapping its wings causing a tsunami. Obviously, the former event does not cause the latter, but the two could be connected by many smaller events. When reflecting on topic I have researched in the past, I always take special interest in the Salem Witch Trials. I think this is a fascinating event in history that underscores the flaws and prejudices inherent in organized societies. Therefore, I created the research question: have historical “witch

I also have a memory regarding learning more about the Salem Witch Trials after visiting the Smithsonian American History Museum in Washington D.C. with my family. In addition, I also have another layer of connection with this topic as I am going to pursue a minor in political science and I have always tried to be an advocate for political issues, meaning that the law element of my research question can tie into my scholastic personality. I think being able to contextualize this multifaceted topic through my personal experiences could ground the topic in a relatable narrative.
In my research about this topic, I want to explore law and the legal system, as well as its evolution in American history. Additionally, as denoted by my question’s general wording, I would also like to explore less literal “witch hunts” in history and how they changed the legal system. For example, a common “witch hunt” in American history associated with false accusations is the McCarthy

This is a play that portrays the Salem Witch Trials and follows characters such as Samuel Paris, John Proctor, and Abigail Williams. I think this historical fiction will provide relatability and depth to my research as it highlights how the Trials were part of a larger issue around false accusations, evidence, and the ineptitude of truth-seeking in history. Furthermore, the writing also involves a plot in which the accusers in Salem are secretly witches, an apt metaphor for the selfish, hypocritical nature behind many historical “witch trials.” (2018). In addition to an outside writing, I might also consult a professor of history with knowledge about the Salem Witch Trials or McCarthyism to deepen the ethos of my topic by giving a professional outlook on how these events objectively defined the criminal justice system today.
When researching my question, I want to find information that will allow me to argue that “witch trials” have shaped the modern legal system, but that we can still observe instances of prejudice today. I would like to tie in topics such as modern cases of wrongful convictions in the criminal justice system or more recent Supreme Court cases that highlight the ongoing issue of discrimination in