Description
Book Synopsis: In late seventeenth-century New England, the eternal battle between God and Satan was brought into the courtroom. Between January 1692 and May 1693 in Salem, Massachusetts, neighbors turned against neighbors and children against parents with accusations of witchcraft, and nineteen people were hanged for having made pacts with the devil. Peter Charles Hoffer, a historian long familiar with the Salem witchcraft trials, now reexamines this notorious episode in American history and presents many of its legal details in correct perspective for the first time. He tells the real story of how religious beliefs, superstitions, clan disputes, and Anglo-American law and custom created an epidemic of accusations that resulted in the investigation of nearly two hundred colonists and, for many, the ordeal of trial and incarceration. He also examines life during this crisis period of New England history—a time beset by Indian wars, disease, severe weather, and challenges to Puritan hegemony—to show how an atmosphere of paranoia contributed to this outbreak of persecution. Hoffer examines every aspect of this history, from accusations to grand jury investigations to the conduct of the trials themselves. He shows how rights we take for granted today—such as rules of evidence and a defendant's right to legal counsel—did not exist in colonial times, and he demonstrates how these cases relate to current instances of children accusing adults of abuse.
The Salem Witchcraft Trials, a concise history written expressly for students and general readers, contains much new material not found in the author's earlier work. It sheds important light on the period and shows that our horror of these infamous proceedings must be tempered with sympathy for a people who gave in to panic in the face of a harsh and desolate existence.
Details
Uncover the chilling truth behind the Salem Witchcraft Trials with our captivating book, The Salem Witchcraft Trials: A Legal History. Immerse yourself in the late seventeenth-century New England, where an epic battle between God and Satan unfolded in the courtroom. Between January 1692 and May 1693, Salem, Massachusetts became a hotbed of accusations, as neighbors betrayed one another and families were torn apart. Through meticulous research, esteemed historian Peter Charles Hoffer offers a fresh perspective on this dark chapter in American history, unveiling the forgotten legal details that have never been seen before.
Want to dive deeper into the trials? Our book goes beyond the shocking accusations and trials themselves. It delves into the undercurrents of religious beliefs, superstitions, and clan disputes that fueled the epidemic of witchcraft accusations. The book contextualizes the trials against the backdrop of a tumultuous time in New England, with Indian wars, disease, and Puritan hegemony being challenged. As you read, you'll uncover how an atmosphere of paranoia contributed to the persecution that gripped Salem.
Discover the hidden stories of the nearly two hundred colonists who faced investigation, trial, and incarceration during this dark period. Relying on his extensive knowledge and expertise, Hoffer meticulously reconstructs every aspect of the Salem Witchcraft Trials. From the initial accusations to the grand jury investigations, and from the trials themselves to the absence of key rights that we take for granted today, such as the right to legal counsel and solid rules of evidence. This book will captivate history enthusiasts and legal enthusiasts alike.
While exploring the Salem Witchcraft Trials, you'll gain valuable insight into comparable cases of child accusations of abuse that still occur today. By drawing these connections, Hoffer sheds light on the enduring relevance of this chapter in history and emphasizes the importance of understanding it within its historical context. The Salem Witchcraft Trials is the ideal resource for students and general readers alike, presenting crucial new material not covered in the author's previous works. Brace yourself for an enlightening and unsettling journey into one of the most infamous periods in American history.
Unravel the mysteries and learn from the past. If you're ready to embark on this captivating historical adventure, click here to get your copy of The Salem Witchcraft Trials: A Legal History.
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