Reformation Paper Salem Witch Trials - 1368 Words

Reformation Paper: Salem Witch Trials The reformation housed many impressive inventions such as the creation of gunpowder and the printing press along with many divisions like wars and radical religious ideas. The reformation was a period in history that caused many changes to the way Christianity operated forcing many communities to re-divide themselves among different religious loyalties. People like Martin Luther and John Calvin questioned their religion and aspects of the way the greedy and corrupt religious leaders, such as Pope Leo X, operated instead of following blindly like most people at that time. Questions asked by these famous reformers led to many anxious and spiritual qualms towards Protestantism or Catholicism. With these†¦show more content†¦history. The greatest instance where Wicca phobia had gotten out of hand was The Salem Witch Trials. The Salem witch trials began February 29, â€Å"in colonial Massachusetts between 1692 and 1693. More than 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft—the Devil s magic—and 20 were executed.† They took place in Salem at a site called Proctor’s Ledge contrary to the older recognized location which was Gallows Hill. As stated by The History Channel â€Å"In January 1692, 9-year-old Elizabeth (Betty) Parris and 11-year-old Abigail Williams (the daughter and niece of Samuel Parris, minister of Salem Village) began having fits, including violent contortions and uncontrollable outbursts of screaming. After a local doctor, William Griggs, diagnosed bewitchment, other young girls in the community began to exhibit similar symptoms, including Ann Putnam Jr., Mercy Lewis, Elizabeth Hubbard, Mary Walcott and Mary Warren†. â€Å"On March 1, Sarah Goode, Sarah Osborn e, and Tituba, an Indian slave from Barbados (some sources mention her as being Caribbean), became the first Salem residents to be charged with the capital crime of witchcraft. Later that day, Tituba confessed to the crime and subsequently aided the authorities in identifying more Salem witches. With encouragement from adults in the community, the girls, who were soon joined by other ‘afflicted’ Salem residents, accused a widening circle of local residents of witchcraft, mostly middle-aged women but also several