USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The Salem witch trials occurred in colonial Massachusetts between early 1692 and mid-1693. More than 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft-the devil’s magic-and 20 were executed. In 1711, colonial authorities pardoned some of the accused and compensated their families.

Detailed explanation-2: -Those who were believed to follow Satan were automatically assumed to be witches, which was a crime punishable by death. By the end of 1692, over 200 people were jailed and facing accusations of witchcraft.

Detailed explanation-3: -The afflicted girls soon accused three women: the Parris’ “Indian” slave, Tituba; a local beggar woman, Sarah Good; and an invalid widow, Sarah Osbourne. As local magistrates began questioning the accused, people packed into a tavern to witness the girls come face to face with the women they had accused of witchcraft.

Detailed explanation-4: -The witch trials The typical victim of an English witch trial was a poor old woman with a bad reputation, who were accused by her neighbours of having a familiar and of having injured or caused harm to other people’s livestock by use of sorcery.

Detailed explanation-5: -Witches were persecuted by the Church, State or local communities for being perceived as different, rebellious or not in line with the dominant religious beliefs. Often they were blamed for things like natural disasters, famine and child deaths.