| By Caren |
Today in Modern times, people are still captivated by the historical Salem Witch hunts and related trails. It all
began back in 1692 in Salem Town / Village Massachusetts. These events started with two girls who started to
exhibit bizarre hysteric behavior. This behavior seemed to spread to many other females who resided in the
same village and there seemed to be no explanation to their behavior. The citizens of this time period were of
English Puritan decent who believed that there were evil forces for this explanation caused by the Devil and
particularly with Witches referenced by the their Bible.
began back in 1692 in Salem Town / Village Massachusetts. These events started with two girls who started to
exhibit bizarre hysteric behavior. This behavior seemed to spread to many other females who resided in the
same village and there seemed to be no explanation to their behavior. The citizens of this time period were of
English Puritan decent who believed that there were evil forces for this explanation caused by the Devil and
particularly with Witches referenced by the their Bible.
A good description of the 1692 Salem Witch Trails chronology of
events can be found at referenced site: http://www.salemweb.
com/memorial/
Some modern day Scientist and Historians believed that the bizarre
behavior exhibited by the Salem females was ascribed to calling out for
attention caused by Puritan and repressed upbringing. Other theories
stem from research that during this time, a popular diet of rye flour had
a derivative of ergot that could cause toxicity and cause great harm to
the mind and body. This may have medical explanations of why these
“witches” were having convulsions and hallucinations caused by the
toxicity of ergot.
events can be found at referenced site: http://www.salemweb.
com/memorial/
Some modern day Scientist and Historians believed that the bizarre
behavior exhibited by the Salem females was ascribed to calling out for
attention caused by Puritan and repressed upbringing. Other theories
stem from research that during this time, a popular diet of rye flour had
a derivative of ergot that could cause toxicity and cause great harm to
the mind and body. This may have medical explanations of why these
“witches” were having convulsions and hallucinations caused by the
toxicity of ergot.
Some common myths about this historical time are that Witch hunts only targeted women. It is true over 90% of
the women were killed; although, some men fell victim, accused to being warlocks and also executed. Certainly,
Witch-hunts were sex related and targeted women mercifully.
the women were killed; although, some men fell victim, accused to being warlocks and also executed. Certainly,
Witch-hunts were sex related and targeted women mercifully.
Other myths include that Witch-hunts occurred during medieval
times of barbarism and cruelty. Witch-hunts actually took place
after the Middle Ages, not ending until the 1700’s and were
conducted by God fearing civilized people. According to many
Historians believe that Witch-hunters were highly educated,
literate and truly believed that they were sanctifying their
communities by “killing” these accused witches. Christianity was
popular during the middle ages and regarded witchcraft as an
illusion; such as the Devil were playing tricks on these
individuals making them believe that they were actually
possessed by Witches.
times of barbarism and cruelty. Witch-hunts actually took place
after the Middle Ages, not ending until the 1700’s and were
conducted by God fearing civilized people. According to many
Historians believe that Witch-hunters were highly educated,
literate and truly believed that they were sanctifying their
communities by “killing” these accused witches. Christianity was
popular during the middle ages and regarded witchcraft as an
illusion; such as the Devil were playing tricks on these
individuals making them believe that they were actually
possessed by Witches.
No single Church was to blame for the hunts, many secular governments hunted witches for essential
non-religious reasons. As throughout history, and proven by the Holocaust, fear instilled in a society can cause
citizens to follow leaders and the common societal practices without questioning morality.
The Witch-hunt persecution and trails period has provided many documented facts and historical court
documentations, although, no one may truly understand the psyche and dysfunction of these persecutors and
victims.
non-religious reasons. As throughout history, and proven by the Holocaust, fear instilled in a society can cause
citizens to follow leaders and the common societal practices without questioning morality.
The Witch-hunt persecution and trails period has provided many documented facts and historical court
documentations, although, no one may truly understand the psyche and dysfunction of these persecutors and
victims.