The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. More than 200 people were accused, of whom 20 were executed by hanging.
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1. The Salem witch trials
The trials began in the town of Salem Village, now Danvers, Massachusetts. In February 1692, a group of young girls began to exhibit strange behavior, such as screaming, convulsing, and throwing things.
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2. Salem Village
The girls accused three women of witchcraft: Tituba, a slave; Sarah Good, a beggar; and Sarah Osborne, an elderly woman. The accusations quickly spread, and soon dozens of people were accused of witchcraft.
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3. Accused Of Witchcraft
The trials were presided over by Judge John Hathorne and Judge Samuel Sewall. The accused were often denied the right to an attorney, and the evidence against them was often flimsy.
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4. Flimsy Evidence
Twenty people were executed for witchcraft during the Salem witch trials. Fourteen of the victims were women, and five were men. One of the victims, Giles Corey, was pressed to death with stones because he refused to enter a plea.
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5. Fourteen Victims
The Salem witch trials ended in 1693, when Governor William Phips appointed a new court that was more skeptical of the accusations. The new court overturned many of the convictions, and the remaining prisoners were released.
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6. Governor William
The Salem witch trials were a dark chapter in American history. They were a result of religious hysteria and fear of the unknown. The trials also served as a reminder of the dangers of mob justice.
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7. Mob Justice
The Salem witch trials have been the subject of much study and debate. Some historians believe that the trials were caused by a number of factors, including religious extremism, economic hardship, and social unrest. Others believe that the trials were simply the result of mass hysteria.
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8. Economic Hardship
Whatever the cause, the Salem witch trials were a tragedy. They were a time when people were willing to turn against their neighbors and accuse them of witchcraft based on flimsy evidence. The trials also served as a reminder of the dangers of religious extremism and the importance of tolerance.
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9. Witchcraft
The Salem witch trials are a reminder that we must always be vigilant in protecting the rights of all people, regardless of their race, religion, or gender. We must also be aware of the dangers of mob justice and religious extremism.
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10. Religious Extremism