Durring the Salem witch trials in 1692, were there any actual witches in Salem?

Question

This studen teacher has taken over and completely re-written the guidlines for our English class. She thinks she knows everything and I'm pretty sure she's wrong when she says there were no witches in Salem, though when I confronted her about it she rose her voice to me and was very rude when some other girl in my class told her not to yell at me. I just remember seeind a doccumenary at some point that said there were some witches in Salem, but I don't really have any solid proof. If someone could provide a link or something I'd really apreciate it.

Answer 1

You have certainly come to the right forum! Your student teacher is no scholar of the Burning Times, as they are referenced in a number of treatises, most notably Gyn/Ecology by Boston Prof. Mary Daly http://books.google.ca/books?id=_Vhe2AgQYckC&dq=%22gyn+ecology%22+mary+daly&pg=PP1&ots=hXYdU9s6HG&sig=X-kIgJd_-knP7cfeQ47uXVI_LTs&prev=http://www.google.ca/search%3Fhl%3Den%26q%3DGyn%252FEcology%2BMary%2BDaly%26meta%3D&sa=X&oi=print&ct=title. Scare yourself and her by searching the terms, 'witch burning' at that link. Check p. 190 for starters!

Then there is a film with Vanessa Redgrave called Three Sovereigns for Sister Sarah (http://www.amazon.com/Three-Sovereigns-Sarah-Vanessa-Redgrave/dp/B0009E32FM), which deals more particularly with the incidents in Salem. Here's the review at Amazon:

This dramatization of a true story deals with one of the most troubling episodes in early American history, the "witch hysteria" that convulsed the village of Salem, Massachusetts, in the 1690s. Noted actress Vanessa Redgrave plays Sarah Cloyce, who years later, is seeking to clear the names of her sisters who were executed as witches. The historical basis for this drama is the fact that early in the 1700s the colonial government offered to pay reparations to the survivors of those who had been killed, but only if their relatives could somehow prove that the deceased were not in fact witches. Redgrave's character, in telling the story of her sisters' tragedy, shows the difficulties face by the accused, who really had no way to defend themselves against accusations that were, by definition, supernatural. Using actual transcripts of some of the trials as the basis for the dialogue, the production sacrifices some dramatic flair while striving to remain historically accurate, yet seeing how the peculiar madness of the witch hunt developed over time remains fascinating. Redgrave's performance, as might be expected, stands out, and she does a fine job of portraying how literally earthly concerns--paltry disputes over land ownership--eventually snowballed into a frenzy that saw 20 people executed and scores of others jailed on suspicion of witchcraft. --Robert J. McNamara

Product Description
This is a true story. Nineteen people were hanged and one old man pressed to death, while hundreds of others suffered in jail cells during the witch hysteria" of 1692. THREE SOVEREIGNS FOR SARAH is the most accurate portrayal yet. Each character you will see actually existed, actually spoke many of the words you will hear. Original transcripts of the trials are woven into the dialogue.

Indeed the study of the pre- and post-Christian period of history which stripped women of property and just about every other right is the subject of tremendous and vigorous scholarship worldwide! At the heart of such scholarship is the role of accusations of supernatural powers in achieving this dark purpose.

Print a few pages from Mary's book and put tacks on teacher's chair! How do these people get jobs, one wonders?

Answer 2

Salem Witch Trials Real Witches

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Durring the Salem witch trials in 1692, were there any actual witches in Salem?
This studen teacher has taken over and completely re-written the guidlines for our English class. She thinks she knows everything and I'm pretty sure she's wrong when she says there were no witches in Salem, though when I confronted her about it she rose her voice to me and was very rude...

Answer 4

It depends on how you define "witch", and if that's the same definition the church elders in Salem used in 1692.
If you mean pagan, Wiccan or even the Harry Potter variety of witch, then no, probably there weren't witches in Salem then.

However, people (mostly women) who were old, acted strangely, mentally ill, diseased, or merely disliked were labeled as "witches". Women who were independent-minded, strong-willed, or skilled in herbal medicine were also attacked. Religious fervor, hysteria,and the Puritan's view of subservient women were also factors. The girls who instigated the claims of "witch" possibly had issues of jealousy, spite, and resentment to those they accused.
I hope your student teacher has you read "The Crucible", which is an excellent beginning to understanding that era and the Salem Witch Trials. It's also an excellent play and is out on DVD.

I'm sorry you have had misunderstandings with her. Please try to be respectful. Remember she is still learning how to teach and control a classroom. This is a fascinating era in US history and you can learn a lot if you are teachable.

Answer 5

I don't know whether this is documented in the region that will be acceptable by your teachers curriculum

In the period of the Salem incident, the rye crops were ruined with a rust blight.

The ergot bacteria from the blight has very hallucinatory properties even after being cooked in the rye bread.

A person of that time, who ingested the bad bread, could have mistaken their hallucination as an act of witchery.

From memory between 13 to 18 people were put through trials.

In the US, it will not be recognized as fact, as theory though, outside in the rest of the real world, it has been a subject of discussion many times, as well as a similar aspect with the French Revolution (Louis 16).

As for hocus pocus and magic wands, that comes from Walt Disney Sudios

Answer 6

Historical study has indicated that these were false accusations. There were no people actually practicing witchcraft in Salem at that time. One theory is that there was a form of ergot poisoning related to fungal overgrowth on the rye crop related to stressful growing conditions in 1692. Ergot poisoning can cause strange behavior, similar to a person on LSD, that could be mistaken for demonic possession. You could look up "claviceps purpurea" or "ergot poisoning" to find out more on this if you are interested.
Added Note - I see Daniel has a good link for you below.
Here's another with music http://www.salems-den.com/SalemWitchTrials.html
I agree there is no reason for a teacher to raise his or her voice to you for asking a question. I like my students to ask questions or debate statements. It shows they are thinking.
This is actually a good question and fascinating discussion.
Extra - You piqued my interest, so I looked up the stats.
18 people and two dogs were reportedly executed by hanging. One man was pressed to death under heavy rocks. (It suffocated the person - inability to breathe) No accused witches were actually burned in Massachussetts in 1692.

Answer 7

No just old woman and men who were disliked or mentily I'll
Children with nothing to do, Religious leaders that were a little power crazy.and a lot of scared people. Add in some moldy Rey and suddenly everyone is a witch.

Answer 8

There is no historical evidence that anyone in Salem or the surrounding areas was actually practicing witchcraft of any kind. There has been some speculation though that the rye they used to make bread had taken on rye fungus which is hallucinogenic.

Answer 9

Witch means old knowledge or old ways. In a sense their was because some of the People did use natural remedies to heal.

Answer 10

Three Sovereigns For Sarah

Answer 11

You believe in witches? Bwahhahhahahhah!

Seriously, ROTFL!

The slave Tituba (from the West Indies) practiced fortune telling and taught it to some young girls. They started acting strangely. When they were questioned about it they confessed to learning fortune telling, which was interpreted as witchcraft. They were told that if they pointed the finger at others they would be forgiven. So they did. Innocent people were hanged.

The documentary you saw probably said something about Tituba and her fortunetelling. Forget about witches, though. They don't exist, and there was certainly no one practicing Wiccan in the modern sense. That didn't even exist in 1692.