History

Who Were the Victims of the Salem Witch Trials?

The Salem witch trials death took place in the Province of Massachusetts Bay between 1692 and 1693 in Salem. This trial began in January of 1692. A few girls were behaving strangely and a local doctor confirmed that they were bewitched. People believe that the accused witches were victims of mass hysteria.

Salem Witch Trials Victims

The bewitched girls soon accused three women- Parris Indian slave, Tituba, a local beggar woman, Sarah Good, and an invalid widow Sarah Osbourne. The locals started to question the accused and they all gathered to witness the victims of the Salem witch trials come face to face with the women the girls accused of witchcraft.

Salem Witch Trials Executions

After Tituba got arrested, she spoke out saying that, she saw Satan and that she signed the devil’s book with her own blood. She also said that Osbourne and Good have also signed the book with her. Because of Tituba’s testimony, people got panicked and then a witch hunt began which swept areas beyond Salem throughout New England. More than 200 Salem witch trials people were accused of being involved in witchcraft and about 20 were executed by hanging in 1692.

1. How Many People Died in the Salem Witch Trials?

A. 23
B. 19
C. 5
D. 200

Many of the accused women were slaves, criminals, outspoken and according to the book ‘The Societal History of Crime and Punishment in America:

“A number of historians have speculated as to why the witch hunts occurred and why certain people were singled out. These proposed reasons have included personal vendettas, fear of strong women, and economic competition. Regardless, the Salem Witch Trials are a memorial and a warning to what hysteria, religious intolerance, and ignorance can cause in the criminal justice system.”

This situation resulted in imprisonment and death of many innocent people. And many accused were arrested or escaped from jail.