Salem Witch Trials

A dull gloomy morning, with the entire town gathered around the hanging tree. A woman
stands screaming with a noose around her neck while the town watches. Puritan, Cotton Mather
gives a brief speech accusing her. Her body is hoisted up and with a slow struggle for life as she
suddenly goes limp. This is not an uncommon scene in Salem. The Salem witch trials started
February of 1692. They ended in May of 1693 with more than 200 people being accused of
witchcraft and 20 people put to death. The idea of witches actually being in Salem is a
misconception. The reality is that puritans brought the trials to Salem, accused the weak, and a
fungus helped sell the story.
Firstly, the origins of the Salem witch trials are questionable. The trial were brought by
puritans to keep the people of Salem in check. Witch accusations were directed toward the unlike
residences of Salem and the colored. When people first arrived in Salem, all sense of justice was
gone. Salem was intended to be a pure place with no sin, and the puritans felt that the will of god
was dissipating. To keep the people in check, they took the fear of the devil and used it. The trials
that took place in Salem of 1692, were one chapter in a long story of witch hunts that started in
Europe between 1300 and 1330, they initially ended in the late 18th century. (Source#1). The
trials brought the fear of Satan's presence amongst them and the fear of being accused.
Besides the origins of the Salem witch trials, the types of people being accused fit a
certain pattern. For instance, the puritans used the trial to not only create a fear of wrongdoing,
but to get rid of the people they wanted. As a result, witch accusations were directed toward the
unlike residences of Salem, and the colored. Roughly of all accused residence were women or
blacks. Daughters, servants, and wives of people in high power were the most accused. This
showed the people that a witch could be anyone and the ministers were able to send a message to

the people of power. For instance, George Burroughs was the only minister to be hung due to
witch accusations. Although George had no witch marks when convicted, he was still taken to
trial. While being hung he fully recited the lord's prayer, which at the time seemed impossible.
After Georges death a new minister rose into power, Samuel Parris, the same man that convicted
George. (Source #2) This proves that the people being picked were not a coincidence, the
probability of these people really being witches is fairly low.
Another reason as to why Salem was convinced witches were amongst them was an odd
coincidence. The coincidence was taking place at the same time that the girls of Salem were
acting out. For instance, the residents of Salem were blindsided by the actions of young girls.
Around the beginning of the witch trials a group of young girls began to have odd actions that
people associated with witches. Ergot was the cause of the several accusations caused by muscle
spasms and violent actions from young girls. Ergot is a fungus that thrives in humid and damp
conditions. It causes violent muscle spasms, vomiting, hallucinations, and paranoia. These side
effects were all present in a group of young girls believed to to be spelled by witches. The
summer that the group of girls began to show these effects was a rainy time. This was the perfect
condition for the fungus ergot to grow, that following fall became dry and the girls stopped show
these signs because the fungus could not survive. (Source #4) Although ergot was not known at
the time, it is a simple answer to a convenient question.
The reality of the Salem witch trials is revealed. It began with a group of puritans who
wished to re enforce the will of god. Then, ministers began to play along by getting rid of the
people of Salem they wanted. The weak, colored, and liked were more likely to accused. When a
group of young girls began to have odd actions they used it to further prove to the people of
Salem that the witches were real and had power. Therefore scaring the people of Salem, initially

achieving the puritan goal. This American tragedy is a perfect example of discrimination
towards others. Should anyone be able to judge others based on their beliefs or appearance? This
extremely judicial prodigious is still present in today's society.