Questions belowrefer to the following passage. (1) The Salem witch trials were some of the most fascinating and terrifying events in American history. (2) In 1692, fear gripped the people of Salem Village, located in what was then the Massachusetts Bay Colony, when a doctor diagnosed two young girls as being “bewitched.” (3) This led to an investigation and subsequent trial that resulted in the deaths of 20 people and ruined the lives and reputations of countless others. (4) Although the governor of the colony put an end to the trials in 1693 and the state of Massachusetts formally... Show more Questions belowrefer to the following passage. (1) The Salem witch trials were some of the most fascinating and terrifying events in American history. (2) In 1692, fear gripped the people of Salem Village, located in what was then the Massachusetts Bay Colony, when a doctor diagnosed two young girls as being “bewitched.” (3) This led to an investigation and subsequent trial that resulted in the deaths of 20 people and ruined the lives and reputations of countless others. (4) Although the governor of the colony put an end to the trials in 1693 and the state of Massachusetts formally apologized for the tragedy in 1957, the causes of this tragic event still captivate historians more than 300 years later. (5) Right before the trials, Salem Village saw an influx of new colonists, searching for refuge from the first of the French and Indian Wars. (6) This strained the resources of the village and caused tension among several groups, which contributed to the spread of gossip and suspicion throughout the area (King, 2002, 89). (7) However, this alone wasn’t the cause of the widespread panic that led to accusations of witchcraft. (8) As scholar Aisha Whitmore explains, “The Puritans of Salem had a strong belief in evil—they were certain that anyone who deviated from the norms of Puritanical society must be practicing witchcraft.” (9) While these factors certainly created something of a powder keg in Salem, the hysteria didn’t start until two young girls experienced strange muscle spasms, vomiting, and delusions that the local doctor could not explain. (10) After being questioned by adults, the girls accused three women of bewitching them. (11) From this point on, the people of Salem lived in fear, both of witchcraft and of the possibility of being labeled a witch. (12) For years, many scholars tried but failed to explain the strange symptoms of “bewitchment” the victims experienced. (13) However, in the 1970s, psychologist Linnda Caporael noted that all these symptoms could be explained by the ergot fungus, which can contaminate rye and other grains. (14) If the village doctor had only known about ergot poisoning, then this tragedy could have been avoided. King, Jeffery. “How War Lead to the Salem Witch Trials.” Historians Online Magazine, (March 2002). <http://historiansonlinemag. com/> (accessed May 20, 2010). Show less
Questions belowrefer to the following passage.
(1) The Salem witch trials were some of the most fascinating and terrifying events in American history. (2) In 1692, fear gripped the people of Salem Village, located in what was then the Massachusetts Bay Colony, when a doctor diagnosed two young girls as being “bewitched.” (3) This led to an investigation and subsequent trial that resulted in the deaths of 20 people and ruined the lives and reputations of countless others. (4) Although the governor of the colony put an end to the trials in 1693 and the state of Massachusetts formally apologized for the tragedy in 1957, the causes of this tragic event still captivate historians more than 300 years later. (5) Right before the trials, Salem Village saw an influx of new colonists, searching for refuge from the first of the French and Indian Wars. (6) This strained the resources of the village and caused tension among several groups, which contributed to the spread of gossip and suspicion throughout the area (King, 2002, 89). (7) However, this alone wasn’t the cause of the widespread panic that led to accusations of witchcraft. (8) As scholar Aisha Whitmore explains, “The Puritans of Salem had a strong belief in evil—they were certain that anyone who deviated from the norms of Puritanical society must be practicing witchcraft.” (9) While these factors certainly created something of a powder keg in Salem, the hysteria didn’t start until two young girls experienced strange muscle spasms, vomiting, and delusions that the local doctor could not explain. (10) After being questioned by adults, the girls accused three women of bewitching them. (11) From this point on, the people of Salem lived in fear, both of witchcraft and of the possibility of being labeled a witch. (12) For years, many scholars tried but failed to explain the strange symptoms of “bewitchment” the victims experienced. (13) However, in the 1970s, psychologist Linnda Caporael noted that all these symptoms could be explained by the ergot fungus, which can contaminate rye and other grains. (14) If the village doctor had only known about ergot poisoning, then this tragedy could have been avoided.
King, Jeffery. “How War Lead to the Salem Witch Trials.” Historians Online Magazine, (March 2002). <http://historiansonlinemag. com/> (accessed May 20, 2010).
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