SALEM WITCH TRIALS IF ACCUSED OF BEING A
SALEM WITCH TRIALS
IF ACCUSED OF BEING A WITCH, THE COURTS COULD USE THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE AGAINST YOU IN 1692: • 1. Witches are unable to shed tears, so if you’ve cried recently, this disproves you are a witch. • 2. Birthmarks on the body can be interpreted as the “Devil’s mark. ” • 3. Witches use animals as agents to carry out the devil’s commands. Owning pets is a sign that you are a witch. • 4. Witches believe in and perform magic. • 5. 76% of Accused witches were females and 24% males, ranging in age from 4 - 71 years old. In 1692, females were considered more likely to give into witchcraft.
ADDITIONAL SIGNS OF BEING A WITCH IN SALEM 1692: • You do not follow strict Puritan practices/ values closely enough • You are related to an accused witch. • You value “evil” things such as wealth and money. If accused of being a witch, we also assume that you: • can fly • cast spells on others, • have evil rituals, • meet with other witches
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS • 1. Were the accusations presented in a fair way of deciding someone’s guilt or innocence? Why? • 2. In 1692, many people had to go to trial just because someone else accused them of being a witch. What problem do you see with this practice? • 3. In 2015, if you are accused of a crime, what does our current system of government offer to those who are accused? • 4. What lesson(s) can we learn from the Salem Witch
LESSONS LEARNED FROM SALEM WITCH TRIALS: • Right to a fair trial • Innocent Until Proven Guilty • Separation of Church and State • Religious Freedom
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