The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. The trials resulted in the executions of twenty people, fourteen of them women, and all but one by hanging. Five others (including two infant children) died in prison. Twelve other women had previously been executed in Massachusetts and Connecticut during the 17th century. Despite being generally known as the Salem witch trials, the preliminary hearings in 1692 were conducted in several towns: Salem Village (now Danvers), Salem Town, Ipswich, and Andover. The most infamous trials were conducted by the Court of Oyer and Terminer in 1692 in Salem Town.
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A doctor diagnosed the children as being victims of black magic, and over the next several months, allegations of witchcraft spread like a virus through the small Puritan settlement. Fueled by xenophobia, religious extremism and long-brewing social tensions, the witch hunt continues to beguile the popular imagination more than 300 years later.
The most infamous trials were conducted by the Court of Oyer and Terminer in 1692 in Salem Town..
Salem Witch Trials of 1692
In January of 1692, the daughter and niece of Reverend Samuel Parris of Salem Village became ill. William Griggs, the village doctor, was called in when they failed to improve. His diagnosis of bewitchment put into motion the forces that would ultimately result in the hanging deaths of 19 men and women. In addition one man was pressed to death; several others died in prison, and the lives of many were irrevocably changed.
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Reviews for "Historical Documents and the Salem Witch Trials: Examining Primary Sources"
1. John - 2/5 stars - "I was really disappointed with 'Salem Witch Fir'. The storyline was weak, and the acting felt forced. The supposed scares were so predictable, I found myself getting bored halfway through. The production also lacked attention to detail, with noticeable continuity errors and poorly executed special effects. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this film to anyone looking for a good horror flick."
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - "'Salem Witch Fir' was a total waste of time. The plot was confusing, and the characters were one-dimensional and unlikable. I didn't feel invested in any part of the story, and it just dragged on without any real suspense or scares. The dialogue was cringe-worthy, and the acting was subpar at best. I had high hopes for this film, but it fell flat in every aspect. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this one."
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - "I normally enjoy horror films, but 'Salem Witch Fir' just didn't do it for me. The pacing was off, with long stretches of nothing happening, followed by rushed and confusing scenes. The so-called scares were laughable, and the plot twists were easily predictable. The cinematography was lackluster, with uninteresting shots and uninspired visual effects. I was left feeling underwhelmed by this film and would not watch it again."
4. Michael - 2/5 stars - "'Salem Witch Fir' had a promising concept, but it failed to deliver. The story lacked depth, and the characters were forgettable. The scares were cheap and relied heavily on jump scares, which became repetitive and tiresome. The film also had pacing issues, dragging on in some parts while rushing through others. The overall execution just fell short of what could have been a great horror movie. I would recommend looking elsewhere for a better supernatural thriller."