%%USERNAME%%    %%ACCWORDS%% %%ONOFF%% |
 |
my salem witch project from history |
|
Could there be a Modern Day Reoccurrence of the Salem Witch Trials? The Salem Witch Trials took place in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692/1693. They revolved around the false accusations of many teenage girls towards lower-class women. These teenagers were soon granted the title “the afflicted girls” or “the visionary girls”. They claimed to have visions in which people, or their “shape”, were causing them pain in some manner. These accusations soon led to convulsions. The doctor of the town then decided to take action. He couldn’t pinpoint the cause of the convulsions. The conclusion he came to was witchcraft. It was believed that the accused were of the Devil, or against God. Since the amount of accusations grew, the trials began. As the trials continued many more women were accused of witchcraft. Twenty-five were put to death as a result of a guilty verdict. Nineteen people were hung, one was tortured to death, and five died in prison. There are some events in history that are likely to repeat themselves. There are other events that are less likely, and then there are those that are nearly impossible. In saying this, the Salem Witch Trials could never reoccur in modern day United States. There were too many false accusations made the first time. Plus, now there are too many laws and regulations for this tragic event to reoccur. The first reason that the Salem Witch Trials could not happen again is the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The first amendment covers the legal individualism of each citizen of the United States. It says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” In much simpler words, it grants citizens the right to religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. The first amendment grants citizens the right to religion. As of 1975 Neo-Paganism, also known as the Wicca Religion, has been recognized as a religion in the United States (Sarri. 83) As the Wicca Religion is an “establishment of religion” the government is unable to prohibit one from exercising their religion. Therefore, even those who confessed in being witches are protected by the first amendment. The first amendment also grants “freedom of speech”, or expression. This means that the government cannot restrict your right to voice your opinion unless “it provides a compelling justification.” (Tannahill, 415) Therefore one cannot get in trouble for their opinion, unless they abuse their right. Secondly, the tests used were invalid. They would never be able to stand up in court today. Today’s courts stand on scientific evidence, while the Salem courts stood on accusations. This means that once someone was brought to court the accused was considered guilty unless proven otherwise. Today’s laws are run by saying that one is “innocent until proven guilty.” One account of witchcraft was against Martha Corey. The accuser, Ann Putnam Jr., clamed she was being tortured by Martha. Investigators decided that if Ann could tell them what clothes Martha was wearing, without Martha there, then Martha would be proved guilty and, indeed, a witch. The ‘logic’ behind this ‘test’ was that, “If Ann was sure she was being attacked by Martha, she would certainly be able to describe exactly what Martha looked like.” If Ann answered correctly then Martha would be announced a witch and killed. (Aronson, 97) Another test included the rye cake test. In this test the accusers would bake their urine into rye flour, making a biscuit. The dog was then supposed to be able to lead the courts to the witch that tortured the accusers or the witch would be attracted to the dog. (Aronson, 66) The ‘logic’ was that if the witch was actually torturing the accusers then the witch would be attracted to the accusers urine. Yet another test was the appearance test or the Devil’s mark test. The procedure was that the accuser was sent to prison, where they were striped of their clothes and examined by an examiner of the same sex. The examiner would then put pins into the accusers where there were abnormalities. Any mark of “unnatural excrescence” was considered evidence. (Starkey, 53) There were other forms of proof besides tests. Hallucinations and dreams were considered proof. Therefore, if someone had a hallucination or dream and claimed that a witch was torturing them, then that was proof. This proof could of, and did, put many to death because it was believed that “the devil could not assume the shape of an innocent person.” (Starkey, 53) There are flaws in this kind of thinking. One person could claim that another was torturing them. The ‘another’ could say that they weren’t but have no proof of their whereabouts. This ‘another’ would be considered a witch and hung. In today’s courts regarding criminal cases, “proof of guilty must be ‘beyond a reasonable doubt.’” (Tannahill, 415) In saying this hallucinations and dreams would not, and do not, qualify as legal evidence. This is due to the fact that there is not legal evidence behind any of the so called proof. All of the tests mentioned have no scientific evidence behind them. The Salem Witch Trials could never reoccur in modern day United States, due to the first amendment and the mistakes makes made in the proving process. The first amendment grants rights that prevents the trials from reoccurring. Also, the testing was invalid. So, what do you think? Could the Salem Witch Trials reoccur or have they been adequately prevented? |
This In & Out is EMPTY! Be the first to add... use the form below! |
Self Deletion: Not Allowed Direct Follow Ups: Allowed Post Limiting: Not Limited
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
