Introduction
Witch-hunts seem to exist throughout history. Salem witch trials were part of a long series of witch-hunts. In Europe, witch-hunts commenced in the year 1300 all through 1330 and came to a halt in the 18th century. The last execution took place in Switzerland around 1792. However, Salem witch-hunts occurred later in history. The executions date back to 1692 after the Europe’s execution died down (Goss, p 114). Actually, witch-hunts were simply executions of women who practiced witchcraft. There was no confirmation that the suspects were actual witches. The hunts were only hints of suspicion and rumors, which in turn led to accusations and later execution (Goss, p 105). The hunts originated from church politics, family conflicts, and feverish children. This paper will look take a holistic approach and investigate reasons behind the witch-hunts and ripple effects of the executions.
Reasons
When looking at the reasons underlying the hunts, one cannot help but wonder the possibility of a hidden motive. Researchers insist that it was a scheme to instill fear in women who rebelled against the normal ways of life. In other cases, research reveals that it was a ploy to reform rebellious youth who were disobedient to their parents (Goss, p 156). Just like any other witch-hunt, in Salem, the victims were women whose lives did not conform to regular ways of lives in their societies. Hence, the executions were a simple way of getting rid of social misfits within the community.
Some historian scholars suggested a theory known as cold weather to try to explain the reason behind the trials in Salem. The concept claims that there is a close association between cold weather patterns and the executions that took place in Salem. When looking at Europe in the 13th and 17th century, the concepts hold water. During cold weather patterns, persecutions increased. In addition, the theory speculates that witches had the ability to control weather. Extreme cold weather destroyed vegetation. When people got poor yields from their farms, they laid the blame on witches (Rothman, p 1). Consequently, hunting down witches to break the spell of bad weather led to persecutions. Funny enough, the Salem persecutions begun during the cold season.
The third reason may be mass hysteria, which refers to the widespread of conversion disorder. A condition where one would be hyperactive and exhibit expressive emotions. There was no diagnosis for the hyperactive behavior and people relied on traits exhibited. In other words, distress becomes a physical symptom. Most researchers’ perspective paints the picture and link the mass hysteria to persecution of witches (Rothman, p 1). The stress of living in a time when religion adherence was the order of the day resulted to stress which girls channeled into mass hysteria. Hence, members of the society associated it with witchcraft.
During ancient times, children would only engage in reading the bible and tending to their choirs. The rigid life devoid of leisure and playtime led to boredom. The first trial in Salem, two cousins, Betty and Abigail exhibited unfamiliar behavior. The only explanation for their behavior was bewitching. However, modern day scholars claim that a fortuneteller scared the children. Lack of engaging in play and other forms of leisure gave room to boredom. Absence of enthusiasm made the children find interest in fortunetelling. Later, they would belief everything the fortuneteller told them by acting it out. Researchers claim that participating in fortune telling made the children guilty and fearful coupled with the omen, was responsible for the strange behavior. In short, boredom contributed to the persecutions (Beatrice, p 1).
Ergot poisoning is one of the concepts that some historians use to explain the cause of Salem trials. The symptoms associated with bewitchment are similar to the ones noted after ergot poisoning. Ergot poisoning is a fungus that causes convulsions and hallucinations (Rothman, p 1). Under the right conditions, it grows on vegetation. Girls accused of possessing witchcraft powers had the same symptoms. In fact, the winter of 1691, was suitable for the growth of ergot fungi. Hence, the connection between ergot poisoning and the Salem trials.
Impact of the Salem trials
After the executions of the Salem trial, many people thought it would not affect the future but the effects rippled through time and the impact felt miles and miles away from Salem. One of the lasting impact that resulted from the trials was breaking of families (Goss, p 130). The accused had a hard time reconciling with their families. Once accused of practicing ‘dark magic’ family and friends would isolate them so that they could face the full arm of the law. Separation often denied the victims a chance to get moral and emotional support. Moreover, those that survived the trials would receive compensation from authorities. On the other hand, those that died, their relatives and families would not receive any form of compensation. No aid and no explanation for their loss. In the end, the government introduced a legal way of trying the accused persons in fair a manner (Rothman, p 1).
Another impact was the constant hunt for witches throughout history. To this day, people hunt down witches. In recent times, American communities accused communists of practicing witchcraft. The beliefs and values of communists tied them to the ancient practice. Russians fell victim to the accusations of witchcraft due to their communism. Not only in America but also in India, accusations of practicing witchcraft are common. Indian women accused of being witches abandon their homes and way of life. They do not receive any aid. Most of the times, the reasons leveled against the accused are baseless and without any fact. In North Africa, men accuse women of practicing witchcraft when they go against men’s wishes (Rothman, p 1).
Communities’ members of Salem formed groups for memorial purposes. For instance, there is a park dedicated to the victims of Salem trials, which helps to keep the memories of the victims alive. In addition, there is a Museum dedicated to the fallen victims as well to help the act never repeat itself (Billings, and Kimberly, p, 1).
After the aftermath of the trials, some accusers apologized publicly, while others resumed their lives without taking responsibility. Samuel Parris, a preacher accepted that the trials were a mistake but shifted the blame to others. Parris was a parent to Betty, the first female accused of witchcraft. Samuel failed to provide much needed guidance and information on his daughter, which led to the hunting down of other ‘witches’. Samuel resigned as a minister to clear the name of the church (Billings, and Kimberly, p, 1).
The governor of Salem at the time of the trials was Phips. Governor Phips believed in the existence of witchcraft. Most people claim that he had enough power and information to know the guilty from the innocent but he remained quiet leading to innocent loss of lives. In fact, he created public court of opinion where any evidence was admissible. Public courts often created unwarranted spectacles stimulating the public while diverting attention from real viable evidence. At the end of the trials, Phips laid blame squarely on his assistant, William. At the end of it all, Governor Phips had to resign to clear his name and take the responsibility of the murders that happened during the trials (Billings, and Kimberly, p, 1).
William was an assistant and confidant of Phips. William occupied the position of lieutenant governor and chief justice even though he did not have a good background in law. He served in courts and made many questionable decisions that pointed out to his lack of knowledge and inefficient grasp of law. These were some of the reasons that made the trials unfair and cost many innocent people their lives (Billings, and Kimberly, p, 1).
The last women, held captive due to the trials had no accusations levelled against them. It was a new dawn for them as they experienced freedom for the first. The Salem trials imprisoned more than two hundred people within the Salem area. Out of the two hundred, twenty-four lost their lives and an estimated fifty-five admitted to the practicing witchcraft (Billings, and Kimberly, p, 1).
Conclusion
The trials of Salem were unfair persecutions that cost many innocent people their lives. The victims were women. The society thought that hyperactive behavior was a sign of bewitchment and persecuted anyone who exhibited the behavior. Lack of adherence to societal norms led to baseless accusations of witchcraft practice. Just like any other witch trials, it took place during the cold season. After the trials, people formed memorial parks to remember the victims of trial.
Reference
Goss, K D. Daily Life During the Salem Witch Trials. Santa Barbara, Calif: Greenwood, 2012.
Billings, Warren M., and Kimberly Manning. “Salem Witchcraft Trials.” Salem Press Encyclopedia, 2013. EBSCOhost, 165.193.178.96.
Beatrice Rebecca. History of Salem Witch Trials. Retrieved from http://historyofmassachusetts.org/the-salem-witch-trials/
Rothman, Lily. “The Past Comes Back to Haunt Us.” Time, vol. 186, no. 19, Nov. 2015, pp. 58–59. EBSCOhost, 165.193.178.96
