The Salem Witch Trials

Today we are going to discuss what is arguably one of the most infamous events in wizarding history. This event was 300 years ago and it still has a profound effect on wizardkind today.

The Salem Witch Trials took place in the Salem settlement of Massachusetts from 1692 to 1693. The trials resulted in the executions of 20 people; most women and some of whom were No-Majs unfortunate enough to be pulled in by the mass hysteria. The trials were the result of Puritan witch hunts in the new settlements of North America. It was mainly Puritan No-Majs that presided over the trials, however, there are some magical historians who say that some of the judges were Scourers. The Scourers were a group of vigilante wizards who started off as bounty hunters before turning to wizard trafficking and even turned innocent No-Majs in during the witch trials for gold.

After the Salem Witch Trials, a memorial to those that lost their lives during the Trials was put up in MACUSA (see below). The International Statute of Secrecy was also put into effect in 1692 after being first signed in 1689 and is being actively enforced today. Now, onto your assignment!

The Salem Witch Trials: About Me

ASSIGNMENTS

Answer the following questions:

1 - What is a scourer?

2 - What were the Salem Witch Trials the result of?

3 - What laws or statutes came into effect as a result of the trials?

And choose either option 1 or option 2:

1a - If you were around at the time of the Trials, what would you have done to hide your status as a witch or wizard to avoid persecution?

1b - Explain why, in your opinion, you think that women were persecuted more than men during the trials.

2 - Write a story or draw a comic strip as to how the Salem Witch Trials began

Note: If you select option 1, both parts 'a' and 'b' must be completed

The Salem Witch Trials: Image