What caused hysteria Salem witch trials?
Accusations followed, often escalating to convictions and executions. The Salem witch trials and executions came about as the result of a combination of church politics, family feuds, and hysterical children, all of which unfolded in a vacuum of political authority.
What was awakened during the Great Awakening?
The Great Awakening was a religious revival that impacted the English colonies in America during the 1730s and 1740s. The movement came at a time when the idea of secular rationalism was being emphasized, and passion for religion had grown stale. The result was a renewed dedication toward religion.
Who died at the Salem witch trials?
5 Notable Women Hanged in the Salem Witch TrialsBridget Bishop. When the special Court of Oyer and Terminer convened in Salem Town in early June, the first case it heard was against Bridget Bishop, a local widow, as the prosecutor assumed her case would be easy to win. Sarah Good. Susannah Martin. Martha Carrier. Martha Cory.
Did ergot cause the Salem witch trials?
In 1976 Linnda Caporael offered the first evidence that the Salem witch trials followed an outbreak of rye ergot. Ergot is a fungus blight that forms hallucinogenic drugs in bread. The victims of ergot might suffer paranoia and hallucinations, twitches and spasms, cardiovascular trouble, and stillborn children.
Did the Salem witch trials have a jury?
In June of 1692, the special Court of Oyer (to hear) and Terminer (to determine) sat in Salem to review these witchcraft cases. Presided over by Chief Justice William Stoughton, the court was made up of magistrates and jurors.
How did the Salem witch trials affect the legal system?
Changes in the American Legal System During the epidemic of witchcraft accusations in Salem, the legal process changed. Without specific colony laws, the judges accepted “spectral evidence,” which included testimony about dreams and visions. The Puritans believed that physical realities had spiritual causes.