The Aftermath

The Aftermath

The Salem Witch Trials are an excellent example of mass hysteria because the entire community turned on each other in order to attempt to save themselves. The depressing thing is that similar situations still pose a threat on our society today. The presence of fear and no common explanation for unnatural things can still cause people to change their beliefs in order to fulfill their sense of security. The Puritans religious affiliations, which date from before Constitine's bringing up of Christianity in 312 A.D., were outdated. This presented change in society, which some chose not to accept.

Short Term Effects

"We walked in clouds and could not see our way. And we must have most cause to be humble for error... which cannot be retrieved."
~Reverend John Hale of Beverly

~Even with the witch trials over, many people were still in jail, because they could not afford their relese.
~Those who were convicted of witch craft had their property and possesions seized by the government, which left familys in poverty.
~Fields were left because the planting season was interrupted by the trials. This caused a shortage in food and goods.
~In April, 1696, Rev. Samuel Parris moved due to the pressure and guilt left by the trails.
~Parris' Family: Tituba was sold to cover her jail costs; Abigal Williams was said to have never recovered, and died young; Betty Parris married, had five children, and died at 78; Parris' son Noyes died insane.
~ Joseph Green became new minister. He sat the accused next to the accusors to help heal the congregation.
~The Puritan religion started to die out due to political, economical, and society changes which had been avoided for too long.

Right or Wrong???

"We fear we have been instrumental, with others, through ignorantly and unwittingly, to bring upon ourselves and the people of the Lord the guilt of innocent blood... We justly fear that we were sadly deluded and mistaken... and we therefore humbly beg forgiveness... and do declare we would none of us do such things again on such grounds for the whole world..."

~Twelve unknown citizens that signed a public statement stating the evidence was not suficient enough to convict.

Long Term Effects

~Salem is always associated with the witches. When we think of Salem, we remember how the Puritans killed innocent people as a rebellion against change.
~We do not see the Puritan religion as a strong faith because the Puritans fought against each other, killing inncocent people because of false accusations with no substantial evidence.
Some Good
It is aways said that good comes out of everything.
~No one else ever died as a convicted witch in America.
~Witches are no longer looked on as evil doers but instead nature worshipers. Witches have freedom of religion, and can not be prosecuted.
~Today witches are celebrated in Salem. They have their own witch museum and dungeon. Salem uses their witches as a tourist attraction, They even have their own witch.

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws