Originally Posted By Mr X Just curious, how many women in the witch trials were executed??...I thought it was a lot but the research I can find says only 22 women were involved.
Originally Posted By hightp It's been about 30 years since I visited Salem, but your info coincides with what I remember. Then again, the 'official' record says there were only 22 trials. That doesn't mean there weren't a few country side trials, that were only told by word of mouth.
Originally Posted By DlandDug No women were burned at the stake in Salem. All of the condemned parties were hung.
Originally Posted By pecos bill It was a bad time for people who did not quite fit in, or were not particularly devout in their religion. Europe was really bad, thousands upon thousands were condemned as witches, and many were indeed burned at the stake. Joan of Arc was one of them, for heresy and witchcraft.
Originally Posted By ecdc I think the Salem Witch Trials always generated a lot of attention not because of the numbers killed, but because I think Americans are fascinated that "it happened here." Such superstitions as believing in witches is largely seen as a European phenomenon, something that we logical, freedom-loving Americans are supposed to be better than. So today the actually history is largely forgotten and the myth has replaced it as a morality tale, like most famous stories in history. History is always oversimplified, changed, and ultimately forgotten by the masses to be replaced with myths and stories that reinforce the majority worldview. Of course, the U.S. has a long history of superstition and bigotry towards many peoples, usually religious groups. I don't know that we've been any worse than most nations, but there's too many examples, some that still exist today, of religious bigotry on one level or another, to say that we really do believe in freedom of religion as guaranteed in the 1st Amendment.
Originally Posted By barboy "Europe was really bad, thousands upon thousands were condemned as witches, and many were indeed burned at the stake." Ironically, tracking down "witches" helped bring on the Black Death which decimated Europe's population.
Originally Posted By jonvn "All of the condemned parties were hung." One man, Giles Cory, was pressed to death in 1692. A board was laid on top of him and heavy stones were put on the board, crushing him in the process. When it was demanded that he confess, his last words were "More weight."
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 Between June and September 1692, 20 citizens were executed for the crime of witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts. Giles Corey, an elderly man, was crushed to death. Thirteen women and six men were hung. At least four others died in prison waiting for their trials. (That total is murky, and is probably significantly higher.) <<I think the Salem Witch Trials always generated a lot of attention not because of the numbers killed, but because I think Americans are fascinated that "it happened here." Such superstitions as believing in witches is largely seen as a European phenomenon, something that we logical, freedom-loving Americans are supposed to be better than. So today the actually history is largely forgotten and the myth has replaced it as a morality tale, like most famous stories in history. History is always oversimplified, changed, and ultimately forgotten by the masses to be replaced with myths and stories that reinforce the majority worldview. Of course, the U.S. has a long history of superstition and bigotry towards many peoples, usually religious groups. I don't know that we've been any worse than most nations, but there's too many examples, some that still exist today, of religious bigotry on one level or another, to say that we really do believe in freedom of religion as guaranteed in the 1st Amendment.>> Great observations, as usual, ecdc. But note: -- We were not the US when the witch trials occured. -- The trials and executions would have continued but for the fact that people's discomfort with the lack of due process brought an end to them within a few months. I highly recommend spending a day in present-day Salem. Salem is a museum, a tourist trap, and a beautiful village. It's fascinating to soak in its weird balance of: the desire to present true facts; the denial; the commercialization and sensationalizing; the quiet New England charm of a modern berg that just wants to be left alone.
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 Also of potential interest -- in light of other "current events" topics on WE -- the Salem Witch Trials appear to be more racist than sexist. It started over concern about an African slave's influence over those in her household. It then spread hysterically to claim the lives of both women and men.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< I highly recommend spending a day in present-day Salem. Salem is a museum, a tourist trap, and a beautiful village. It's fascinating to soak in its weird balance of: the desire to present true facts; the denial; the commercialization and sensationalizing; the quiet New England charm of a modern berg that just wants to be left alone. >>> I've never visited there (and want to someday), but I get a sense of the conflict. I've always thought that this was well-represented in the patch worn on the uniform of Salem police officers: <a href="http://www.petespatch.net/policepatch/uscity" target="_blank">http://www.petespatch.net/poli cepatch/uscity</a>%20salem.jpg
Originally Posted By Mr X Nice patch. Yeah, Salem is a place of contrasts for sure. Mostly kitschy though, I'd say. (funny, I misspelled "kitchy" I guess, and one of my options was "witchy". lol) The seaside is awesome though, and the house of the seven gables is pretty cool too.
Originally Posted By jonvn I've been to Salem. I was just able to make my escape before being accused of witchery. They had already set up the stake for me to be burnt at. I just had enough time to buy a cheesy souvenir and hex someone before running out.
Originally Posted By Mr X Funny, I found the place to be very "witch friendly" myself. They must have recognized your evil ways.
Originally Posted By ajnhollysmommy We stopped by Salem this summer. I think one of the most interesting things was that those who were accused but found not guilty still ended up rotting away in jail because they did not have the money to pay for the lawyer fees.
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