The Salem Witch Trials

or as they say in France:

Le procès des sorcières de Salem

Created by Winton Yee of 1D2

Before we get started, let me tell you a little back story.

Before we get started, let me tell you a little back story.

The Puritans had just come from England to North

America, and had faced many hardships along the way. Their faith had been put to the test, and they

needed to be cautious to not fall into the Devil’s hands.

There was much arguing going on in the town of Salem,

Massachusetts, and many suspected it was the work of the

Devil.

In the January of 1692, something strange

happened that no one could explain.

Two young girls, Betty and Abigail Williams, who were the daughter and niece of the village minister, began to act unusually, having seizures, screaming nonsense, and going into trance-like states.

Two young girls, Betty and Abigail Williams, who were the daughter and niece of the village minister, began to act unusually, having seizures, screaming nonsense, and going into trance-like states.

Doctors sent to examine the children could find nothing wrong with them physically, so they suggested another explanation…

A genie?

Doctors sent to examine the children could find nothing wrong with them physically, so they suggested another explanation…

A genie? No…

Doctors sent to examine the children could find nothing wrong with them physically, so they suggested another explanation…

witchcraft

People in Salem accepted this diagnosis, and said...

WELL, OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE A WITCH

IN SALEM

Another girl, Ann Putnam, began experiencing the

same “symptoms” as the other girls.

Another girl, Ann Putnam, began experiencing the

same “symptoms” as the other girls.

Under pressure, the three “victims” accused three

women of witchcraft

BY SOME SLAVE FROM THE CARIBBEAN

I WAS BEWITCHED

Indeed, one of the three “witches” was a slave from the Caribbean, Tituba. The other two suspects were Sarah Good and Sarah Osborne (both were in poverty).

Indeed, one of the three “witches” was a slave from the Caribbean, Tituba. The other two suspects were Sarah Good and Sarah Osborne (both were in poverty).

Both Sarah’s denied practicing witchcraft, but Tituba confessed to doing the Devil’s work.

Both Sarah’s denied practicing witchcraft, but Tituba confessed to doing the Devil’s work.

She told the villagers that she had visions of colorful animals and even the Devil himself.

Both Sarah’s denied practicing witchcraft, but Tituba confessed to doing the Devil’s work.

She told the villagers that she had visions of colorful animals and even the Devil himself.

And then, she spoke of a network of witches within Salem…

Both Sarah’s denied practicing witchcraft, but Tituba confessed to doing the Devil’s work.

She told the villagers that she had visions of colorful animals and even the Devil himself.

And then, she spoke of a network of witches within Salem…

VAMPIRE WITCHES, THAT IS!

Okay, so maybe there weren’t any vampire witches

AWAw, man!!

But regular “witches” were enough to scare the heebie-jeebies out of the community

But regular “witches” were enough to scare the heebie-jeebies out of the community

The three women accused of witchcraft were all put in jail, and over the next few months more people were suspected of sinister evil.

Even Martha Corey, a devout church member and outstanding citizen, was blamed.

Even Martha Corey, a devout church member and outstanding citizen, was blamed. If such a high member of society could be a witch, then anyone could be one.

Even Martha Corey, a devout church member and outstanding citizen, was blamed. If such a high member of society could be a witch, then anyone could be one. Paranoia spread even further.

Even Martha Corey, a devout church member and outstanding citizen, was blamed. If such a high member of society could be a witch, then anyone could be one. Paranoia spread even further.

Which was the work of a genie, right?

Even Martha Corey, a devout church member and outstanding citizen, was blamed. If such a high member of society could be a witch, then anyone could be one. Paranoia spread even further.

Which was the work of a genie, right?*Sigh* No. There are NO SUCH THINGS AS GENIES.

Even Martha Corey, a devout church member and outstanding citizen, was blamed. If such a high member of society could be a witch, then anyone could be one. Paranoia spread even further.

Which was the work of a genie, right?*Sigh* No. There are NO SUCH THINGS AS GENIES. Tell that to the genie.

The governor, William Phillips, created a special court

specifically for the cases of the witches.

The governor, William Phillips, created a special court

specifically for the cases of the witches.

Soon, the trials claimed their first life.

The governor, William Phillips, created a special court

specifically for the cases of the witches.

Soon, the trials claimed their first life.

On June 10, 1692, Bridget Bishop was hanged on

Gallows Hill for practicing witchcraft

A minister, Cotton Mather, denounced the use of dreams and visions as evidence (called spectral evidence) against “witches” in court. He proclaimed, “It would be better if ten suspected witches escape than one innocent person should be condemned.”

A minister, Cotton Mather, denounced the use of dreams and visions as evidence (called spectral evidence) against “witches” in court. He proclaimed, “It would be better if ten suspected witches escape than one innocent person should be condemned.”However, he was ignored, and nineteen more people were killed for witchcraft, one crushed by stones.

The hysteria finally ended when Governor Phillips, in response to his wife being

questioned for witchcraft, did away with the court for witches, prevented further arrests

for being a witch, and released all the “witches” by 1693.

The hysteria finally ended when Governor Phillips, in response to his wife being

questioned for witchcraft, did away with the court for witches, prevented further arrests

for being a witch, and released all the “witches” by 1693.

However, twenty-five people were dead because of the trials, and 200 people had

been suspected of witchcraft.

The hysteria finally ended when Governor Phillips, in response to his wife being

questioned for witchcraft, did away with the court for witches, prevented further arrests

for being a witch, and released all the “witches” by 1693.

However, twenty-five people were dead because of the trials, and 200 people had

been suspected of witchcraft.

It was until 1957 before Massachusetts apologized for the trials.

epilogue

Scientists now think that the three children who were “affected” by witchcraft might have been afflicted by fungus egrot, which can be found in rye and other grains. The fungus can lead to muscle spasms, vomiting, and hallucinations.

Scientists now think that the three children who were “affected” by witchcraft might have been afflicted by fungus egrot, which can be found in rye and other grains. The fungus can lead to muscle spasms, vomiting, and hallucinations.

Tituba might have been drawing on the voodoo traditions of the Caribbean when she admitted to witchcraft.

Scientists now think that the three children who were “affected” by witchcraft might have been afflicted by fungus egrot, which can be found in rye and other grains. The fungus can lead to muscle spasms, vomiting, and hallucinations.

Tituba might have been drawing on the voodoo traditions of the Caribbean when she admitted to witchcraft.

In 1711, the colony of Massachusetts restored the name of the accused “witches” (which didn’t really help, because they were…dead) and gave their kin 600 pounds as compensation

And there’s also a lesson to be learned

from all this…

Follow your dreams

Follow your dreams

But, seriously, mass hysteria isn’t cool, and the lesson is to think rationally and not freak out when things go wrong.

fin

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/stories/history/salem-witch-trials/

http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/salem.htm

http://www.salemwitchmuseum.com/education/index.shtml

erstories.net

http://etext.virginia.edu/salem/witchcraft/

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/brief-salem.html

http://debeecampos.blogspot.com/2010/03/there-must-be-blog-prompt-list.html

http://www.freewebs.com/kandjreallate/swiper.jpg

http://atheistetiquette.wordpress.com/2010/09/19/sunday-sermon-the-ballad-of-giles-corey/?iact=hc&vpx=145&vpy=348&dur=117&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=178&ty=197&ei=6K8bTafGNYGclgeQt83LCw&oei=6K8bTafGNYGclgeQt83LCw&esq=1&page=1&tbnh=151&tbnw=217&start=0&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:0http://www.hondahookup.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=7303&iact=hc&vpx=114&vpy=260&dur=1850&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=164&ty=124&ei=PLUbTYuDK4a8lQfEzpjeAg&oei=PLUbTYuDK4a8lQfEzpjeAg&esq=1&page=1&tbnh=117&tbnw=154&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:0

Well, almost Fin.Sources

Read Magazine: Witch Hunt, Article: Which Witch is Which?

The Salem Witch Trials: by Stuart A. Kallen

The Salem Witch Trials: by Michael Burgan