Women were targeted, especially old women, midwives and unmarried women, as they were believed to release their anger and over men through witchery. This led to misogyny; the hatred of women. This was because they were more likely to have enemies, hence the accusations of witchcraft. This shows that the role of women interlined with the role of the elites was responsible for the witch-craze to some extent. Political and legal changes in Europe were another factor that contributed to the European witch-craze to a great extent.
Otgo Baterdene English 11 Mr. Harper Research Paper – First Draft Mass Hysteria in Salem Village In the history there are many societal problems that cannot be solved or avoided. One of these problems was mass hysteria during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. The Salem witch trials occurred in colonial Massachusetts between 1692 and 1693 and were brought on by group hysteria, jealousy, and property disputes. More than 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft or the Devil's magic and 20 of them were hanged. The Salem witch trials were caused by mass hysteria rather than simple belief in witches and the devil; once the people got caught up in the hysteria no
These ideas were then widely supported and imposed upon people by theologians and lawyers[7] making diabolic interference central to the idea of witchcraft. By the end of the sixteenth century the demonic conception of witchcraft has been defused into popular culture and most popular denunciations for witchcraft in most parts of Europe involved the devil. The spread of diabolism “led inevitably to a great feminization of witchcraft”[8]. Ankarloo argues that only after these learned ideas were injected into the lower level of society could the persecution of witches on a large scale begin during the 16th and up to the 17th
Finding witches seemed to become a crusade. It seemed to me as if they were out to slater women that stood out. There was an end to all this. When men started to stand up for their wives and daughters the Salem hysteria began to take a turn. The Salem witch trial and the role of a woman during this era were difficult.
The people of Salem lived in fear of the devil. Paranoia and fear emerged vigorously when talk of witchcraft spread. With such talk of the devil came accusations. People began accusing their neighbors in order to save themselves. “This predilection for minding other people’s business was time-honored among the people of Salem, and it undoubtedly created many of the suspicions which were to feed the coming madness (Miller 4).” * * Hughes 3 * In The Crucible, there are many factors that contribute to the fall of Salem, Massachusetts.
Yarely Covarrubias Pd. 3 What Caused the Salem Witch Trial Hysteria of 1692? The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 are a turning point in history, and is an event that continues to mystify our nation, as well as others. Between the months of june and September of 1692, 19 women and men were accused of witchcraft and hanged because of it. Local magistrates took the initiative when young girls claimed that women in the village were inflicting pain on them, which resulted in all the hangings and overall hype of the Salem Witch Trials.
The European Witch Craze started roughly during conclusion of the 15th century and peaked during the first half of the seventeenth century. When it came down to it women were accused as being witches in Salem more than men and a lot of women confessed. Maybe women were being accused because of the Puritans attitudes towards women, sin, and the devil. There could be many reasons why women were accused of being witches than men. It could have been their appearance, the time, or the gender roles.
Salem Witch Trials DBQ During the late 1600s continuing in the early 1700s Salem, Massachusetts was faced with a mounting hysteria over the probability of witches living among them. The dishonorable Salem witch trials began during the spring of 1692. This Hysteria led Massachusetts colonists to try, convict, and execute numerous individuals on behalf of the capital crime of witchcraft; many of which were said to be triggered due to the economic, social and religious aspects arising at the time. There is truly no one cause for the actions that took place from end to end the Salem witch trials. A mixture of diverse events and factors assisted the commencement of the trials.
Summary “The Devil in Massachusetts: A Modern Enquiry Into the Salem Witch Trial” by Marion L. Starkey is a historical novel based upon facts of people and events surrounding the Salem Witch Trials. The format of the book is a narrative, with dialogue from actual trial records. The trial records are applied with a modern psychiatric knowledge, surrounding the witchcraft hysteria. Starkey recreates the sense of pity and terror that surrounded Salem and the suffering that many innocent people endured during the time. “The Devil in Massachusetts” presents an account of the accusers, accused, prosecutors and defenders surrounding the trials at Salem.
Author Millers, The Crucible, is a play about the fear, of witchcraft in the sixteenth century, and what fear does to people in the small town of Salem, Massachusetts. During the colonial time period, witchcraft was punishable by death. In Salem the idea of witchcraft not only feared the people, but also the community as a whole. The community of Salem was split into two demographics by poor farmers, and wealthy merchants, becomes a scared fearful town during the accusations, not knowing if your neighbor was or was not a witch. The church of Salem plays an important role in the outcome of the town; the church has immense power and control of the town.