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Salem witch trials
(redirected from Salem witch hunt)

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Salem witch trials

(May–October 1692) American colonial persecutions for witchcraft. In the town of Salem, Massachusetts Bay Colony, several young girls, stimulated by supernatural tales told by a West Indian slave, claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused three women of witchcraft. Under pressure, the accused women named others in false confessions. Encouraged by the clergy, a special civil court was convened with three judges, including Samuel Sewall, to conduct the trials. They resulted in the conviction and hanging of 19 “witches” and the imprisonment of nearly 150 others. As public zeal abated, the trials were stopped and then condemned. The colonial legislature later annulled the convictions.
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These three people were easy targets because they were undesirable, but the episode did not end with their deaths and eventually led to the Salem witch hunt which ended up costing 20 people their lives, including fourteen women and six men, and resulted in the incarceration of an estimated 175 to 200 others.
Witches & Warlocks, Terrorists and Sex Offenders by Pawan / Education community
He compared the case with "mass hysterias" of America's Salem witch hunts, communism fears of McCarthyismin America and Munchausen syndrome by proxy in the UK, where a spate of cases were brought over parents allegedly killing their babies.
'Gunman' told a 'pack of lies' COURT: Gangland feud claims in trial ... by Birmingham Mail (England)
I watched shocking racist accusations roll out like a Salem witch hunt against the Clintons.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR by The Santa Fe New Mexican (Santa Fe, NM)
 
 
 
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