The Judicial System of the Salem Witch Trials - 803 Words

The following paper will best explain the judicial system used during the Salem Witch Trials, a series of hearings over a witchcraft scare that took place from June through September of 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts. The writer shall include a brief history of the events, explain the judicial system of the Trials, and give detail to what methods were used to determine fate of a victim. Additionally, the writer will explain how the Trials were based on false views that were not supported. The Trials began soon after a few young girls living in Salem began throwing unexplainable and spontaneous tantrums that consisted of sudden falling, screaming and crying in agony, and a loss of voice. After the girls had been questioned by their parents†¦show more content†¦In Conclusion, the unjust judicial system of the Trials had taken away nineteen innocent lives, and imprisoned even more. The system favored the afflicted and was based solely on his or her word; it clearly did not justify the actions of the young girls, and still would not have if the girls had actually been afflicted, for the reason that there was a lack of evidence. Furthermore, within the Trials were a series of faulty tests derived from superstitious beliefs that only helped support the fallacy of the whole event. Works Cited Linder, Douglas. Salem Witchcraft Trials 1692. Famous American Trials. Mar. 2007. UMKC School of Law. 24 Sept. 2008 http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/salem.htm. Microsoft. Salem Witch Trials. MSN Encarta. 2008. Microsoft. 24 Sept. 2008Show MoreRelatedJohn Hale1111 Words   |  5 PagesA crucible is defined as a severe trial or a container in which metals are melted at very high temperatures. Much like how metals mold to a new shape at very high temperatures, people change when severe trials and challenges present themselves. When innocent lives are lost, a person will realize the wrongs and attempt to make things right again. The character John Hale must forget his old teachings and way of life to try to return the town of Salem to a peaceful community. In Arthur Miller’s TheRead MoreThe Hunt For Witches By William Golding1513 Words   |  7 Pageswere caught breaking the rules, they had to cover themselves from punishment. When the young girls became â€Å"ill† from being infected by witches, the town set out on a hunt to destroy all witches and everything that was not â€Å"pure† or of God. The Salem Witch Hunt bega n in 1692 and ended in 1693. At the end of the hunt, 200 people were accused and 20 people lost their lives. Merriam Webster simply defines witchcraft as â€Å"magical things that are done by witches: the use of magical powers obtained especiallyRead MoreRed Scare And The Crucible Comparison Essay1008 Words   |  5 PagesRed Scare and The Salem Witch Trials were both events that left a mark in American history. The Red Scare began in 1917 and took place across the United States. The Red Scare was known as the widespread promotion of anti-communism. The Salem Witch Trials began in 1692 and took place in Salem, Massachusetts. The Salem Witch Trials were various court hearings and prosecutions of people in Salem accused of Witchcraft. Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible, a play about The Salem Witch Trials, to send a messageRead More Danforth?s Witch Hunt, Is It J Essay502 Words   |  3 Pages Danforth’s Witch Hunt, Is it Justified? (An Essay on the Crucible) I write in response to your column regarding Judge Danforth’s actions during the witch trials in Salem. Surprisingly, you praised Judge Danforth for his â€Å"impartiality and tact† during this tragic set of trials. You could not be farther from the truth. Judge Danforth abused his judicial power, throughout the trials, to the fullest of his abilities. His abuses range from berating and coercing witness into saying what he wants themRead MoreEscaping Salem Essay909 Words   |  4 PagesEscaping Salem: The Other Witch Hunt of 1692 American Economic and Social History September 26, 2012 The seventeenth century was full of challenges; political, social, and economical. Across the board individuals struggled to live, although the conditions had much improved from the beginning of the colonies. Women in particular had a difficult time fitting into this patriarchal this society. Women were defined by men and were seen as an accessory to men. In the colony of New England womenRead MoreCauses Of The Salem Witch Trials994 Words   |  4 Pagesdevelop the greatest consequence possible. The Salem Witch Trials are an example of such conflict, as they resulted in many people being falsely accused for crimes, arrested, and killed. But what provoked this mass hysteria? Scholars have attempted to answer this question, but the most common idea is that it was due to a variety of economic, social, and physiological problems within the Salem village. In order to understand the cause of the Salem Witch Trials, some background must be given about the eventRead MoreThe Crucible by Arthur Miller1085 Words   |  5 Pagesprotagonist John Proctor, during the witch trials of Salem; showing the effects of â€Å"an individual opposed to the will of the majority.† Through the mass hysteria caused by Abigail, corruption of justice and weakness of man; we see clearly the effects of fear and how Miller’s work translates into his own situation, during the introduction of McCarthyism. The most dominant outward human conflict between individual and society, is shown as Proctor defies the church and judicial authorities. On first introductionRead MoreThe Unjust System of New England Puritan Court System Essays1018 Words   |  5 Pages The court system in Puritan New England was an unfair and unjust system, stemming from the general court of Massachusetts. Many of the trials and procedures were ludicrous. General life in the Puritan communities was centered around religion and the judicial system reflected this. Religion crept into laws and the courts until they were practically combined. Puritans valued their religion zealously and it became part of everyday life in the colony. Religion was a huge part of law, the court, andRead MoreThe Trial Of The Salem Witch Trials991 Words   |  4 Pagesvillages of Salem Village and Salem Town became incriminated in the hunt of questionable witches or heretics among their residents. â€Å"Nineteen people were executed for witchcraft, one died after being crushed to death during his questioning, and seven more died in prison awaiting trial after a special tribunal was created to address the accusations.† Later on the colony admitted the trials were a mistake and eventually compensated the families of those convicted. The Salem Witch Trials were an eventRead MoreThe Danger of Assumed Accusations in The Crucible by Arthur Miller 784 Words   |  3 Pages In the 1690’s based play, The Crucible, Arthur Miller portrays and displays the danger of assumed accusations, emphasizing the importance of a fair adversarial judicial system. During these times of religious governing, the puritan town of Salem accumu lated a great deal of grudges, as it was the duty of God only to judge his people. This religion submerged town was unable to express nor confess it sins and confrontations, and as a direct result, each citizen was forced to bottle up their individual