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Salem Witch Trials

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Salem Witch Trials
Salem Witch Trials DBQ

The Salem Witch Trials, of 1692, occurred in Salem Massachusetts. This is a case where people accused other people of witchcraft. Salem was a town governed by strict Puritan religion, and to have such a charge labeled against you could cost you your life. There were many worldly reasons for the events that happened so many years ago. In this essay, I will explain why I think this tragedy occurred. One of the reasons why I think this took place was because of social problems. Another reason why this disaster might have happened could have been because of young girls recklessly lying. And the last reason why I think this happened was of town division.

The first reason why I think that the Salem Witch Trials occurred could have been a result of social problems. (Doc A) in this document it shows us all the people who were executed and the dates they died. Also in this chart, 65% of the accused witches were women. I think that since this took place in 1692, and that was back when women had no rights and they were treated unequally that men probably thought women were most likely to become witches because they were the weaker out of the two genders. (Doc B) in this document it shows in one chart that most of the accused were female, married and from the ages of 41-60. In the second chart it shows the accusers to be female, single and from the ages of 16-20. I can conclude from this information that maybe the younger generation was jealous of the older generation. Maybe the younger women wanted the men that the older women had.

The second reason why I think the Salem Witch Trials occurred might have been because of girls recklessly lying and being a part of a prank that got out of hand. (Doc C) in this document it states that Bridget Bishop was being examined at Salem Village. The girls who accused her were also in the same room. When Bridget walked in the girls fell into fits. When Bridget began talking she shook her head and the girls

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