Why were the witches that were prosecuted at the Salem witch trails really witches?

Answer 1

There is no such thing as witches and spells so just on that fact alone they couldn't have been witches. Extensive research as been done on the people and the events in Salem and the data shows that the people accused were on the fringes of the society for that time/place. Several of the women were widows or single for one reason or another and were considered "odd" or strange. People who were mentally or physically ill in the 1700's were often thought of as witches. The fact that the entire event was started by 12-13 year old girls is also a factor when considering what happened.

Answer 2

The people killed in Salem were at the time believed to be but were not Witches. They were the unfortunate victims of a mass drug induced psychosis brought about by the various products in their diet that contained rye. Unknown to the people of Salem some of their rye had been contaminated by a naturally occurring fungi that had psychotropic side effects. This had to be coupled pre-existing social factors like envy, hate, jealousy, need for attention or power as well as fear and ignorance. The real catalyst was their religious belief which empowered them to kill with righteousness in the name of their God. Similar events took place in medieval Europe where the affliction was given the name St. Anthony's Fire and treated by monks.

19 were hanged, 1 pressed to death and 4 died in prison. It is believed that 13 more may have died in prison.

Answer 3

Assuming you're asking the question, "Were any witches that were prosecuted at the Salem Witch Trials really witches?" the answer is no. during the early modern period in Europe, there was much debate among religion, due to the surge of the Protestant Reformation. This difference in views led to much animosity, and people questioning their own beliefs. The idea of witches was the easiest explanation, and after a while, people realized they could use that justification to get rid of people who were usually one of four things; widowed, independent, single, or promiscuous, and almost always a woman.