Short Term Effects
The short term affect was how many people were affected including the hundreds of women and some men who were imprisoned or killed left the population lower. On October 29th, 1692, Governor Phipps officially closed the court of Oyer and Terminer. The Supreme court of Massachusetts was to convene in January 1697 to try the remaining cases. On December 29, 1692, Governor Phipps called for a day of fasting and prayers for the townsfolk. In January 1693, the Superior court met to begin the remaining trials.
By order of Governor Phipps, spectral evidence could not be used against the defendants. Of the 52 persons tried, 49 were cleared of the accusations and 3 were found guilty. The last sitting of the court was held in Boston in May, 1693 and by this time Governor Phipps revived a letter from England which convinced him that there was no need to continue with the trials. The Governor issued a proclamation that pardoned everyone and granted amnesty to those who fled to escape persecution. By the end of the trials, some of the most important citizens of Massachusetts would be accused of witchcraft including Governor Phipps wife. A few years later, the girls who started the hysteria as well as many of the accusers who took part in the accusations asked for forgiveness for their actions. On October 17, 1711, an Act of the colonial legislature returned all property taken from the victims and their families and were paid compensation for their losses. This Act officially ended all government actions relating to the trials of 1692. However, in Salem, accusations and resentment would be felt for years to come.
Long Term Effects
In the long term, obviously the impact of the hysteria the Salem Witch Trials has not gone away. It is a focus in all major book publishers' literature series. And Hollywood doesn't leave it alone either. Many types of " Witch - hunts" have happened even over the last century have kept the reminder of the Salem Witch Trials in view. They are a good reminder to consider how far our beliefs can carry us to poorly carry out what we sometimes think is justice.
The short term affect was how many people were affected including the hundreds of women and some men who were imprisoned or killed left the population lower. On October 29th, 1692, Governor Phipps officially closed the court of Oyer and Terminer. The Supreme court of Massachusetts was to convene in January 1697 to try the remaining cases. On December 29, 1692, Governor Phipps called for a day of fasting and prayers for the townsfolk. In January 1693, the Superior court met to begin the remaining trials.
By order of Governor Phipps, spectral evidence could not be used against the defendants. Of the 52 persons tried, 49 were cleared of the accusations and 3 were found guilty. The last sitting of the court was held in Boston in May, 1693 and by this time Governor Phipps revived a letter from England which convinced him that there was no need to continue with the trials. The Governor issued a proclamation that pardoned everyone and granted amnesty to those who fled to escape persecution. By the end of the trials, some of the most important citizens of Massachusetts would be accused of witchcraft including Governor Phipps wife. A few years later, the girls who started the hysteria as well as many of the accusers who took part in the accusations asked for forgiveness for their actions. On October 17, 1711, an Act of the colonial legislature returned all property taken from the victims and their families and were paid compensation for their losses. This Act officially ended all government actions relating to the trials of 1692. However, in Salem, accusations and resentment would be felt for years to come.
Long Term Effects
In the long term, obviously the impact of the hysteria the Salem Witch Trials has not gone away. It is a focus in all major book publishers' literature series. And Hollywood doesn't leave it alone either. Many types of " Witch - hunts" have happened even over the last century have kept the reminder of the Salem Witch Trials in view. They are a good reminder to consider how far our beliefs can carry us to poorly carry out what we sometimes think is justice.