What were the Salem Witch Hunts?

Question

I mean I have the general idea. But I dont really know more then the most general.

Answer 1

The kids in the village were attention seekers and they just threw temper tantrums and claimed people were cursing them to get what they wanted (not work, attention, etc.)  

Google the name 'Cotton Mather' to get some more incite, he had a lot to do with the whole mess.

Answer 2

try the History category.

Answer 3

It was a time of persicution, miss understanding, and a huge power trip...

This site is dedicated to the history of the trials and has a lot of usefull information and tools on it.

http://www.salemwitchtrials.com/

Answer 4

back in the 1600s in the English colonies of what is now the Eastern U.S., Puritan settlers killed many innocent people because they believed that certain members of their society were witches. The reasons for believing in witches ranged from women finding hallucinogenic plants in the woods and accidentally getting high and acting really weird, to foolish superstitions, to people getting pissed off at their neighbors and accusing them of witchcraft.

After the which scare was started, the Puritans, who could be considered extremists compared to today's Christians, would hang or burn anyone who was accused of being a witch. Nobody was really safe because fair trials were not given, so anyone could be accused and convicted.

Since the Puritans were so extreme in their laws and beliefs, somebody who didn't go to church that Sunday might be accused of being a witch. The judges would then find some irrelevant fact about the person, such as a birthmark, a questionable background, being very skilled at storytelling, etc. and the judges would use this as evidence against the accused person.

Answer 5

Basically, back in the day, if there was someone you didn't like or who you felt had wronged you or your family in some way all you had to do was accuse them of witchcraft and you could get rid of them.

The Salem witch trials were when things got out of hand when a few young girls accused various neighbors of witchcraft and mass hysteria took over.

Most of the folks who were tried and killed weren't witches at all.

Peace

Answer 6

The below listed web-site is supposed to give you an accurate "feel" of what it was like to be accused of Witchcraft.  This is an interactive web-site.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/salem/

Enjoy.....

Have a lovely rest of the evening.  Bright Blessings

Answer 7

i don't know, kiah. lol google it?