Possible Causes of the Salem Witch Trials
List of 5 Possible Causes of the Salem Witch Trials
The Salem Witch Trials were a series of witchcraft trials that took place in 1692 in Massachusetts. Nearly 200 people were accused of witchcraft and by the end of the trials, 19 were sentenced to death by hanging and executed. The historians agree that the Witch Trials were a result of mass hysteria but there are several theories about its causes. Listed below are 5 possible reasons for one of the most tragic events in American history.
Boredom
One theory claims that it all started because the girls in the village were bored. Indeed, there wasn’t much to do. In addition, the Puritans held very strict beliefs which forbade many forms of entertainment not only for adults but for children too. And for girls, it was even worse because the restrictions for them were more severe than they were for boys. For them, reading books, and attending small circles involving fortune telling and telling/listening to various stories - among other also about witches and witchcraft - were the main form of entertainment.
Strong Belief in the Occult
The Puritans strongly believed in the existence of witches and witchcraft. According to the belief, witches were in alliance with the devil that gave them power to do harm. They were blamed for all kinds of misfortunes from illnesses and failed crops to bad weather and other things that had a perfectly rational explanation even three centuries ago. But due to the strong belief in the occult, the villagers were inclined to the most improbable explanations. For them, witches and witchcraft were a very real threat.
Disputes, Rivalries and Personal Differences
Many of those who were accused of witchcraft had unsettled accounts with their accusers or were seen as a threat to the Puritan values. About 50 people were directly or indirectly accused by the members of the Putnam family which strictly followed the Puritan beliefs and customs, and strongly supported Reverend Samuel Parris, the
The Salem Witch Trials were a series of witchcraft trials that took place in 1692 in Massachusetts. Nearly 200 people were accused of witchcraft and by the end of the trials, 19 were sentenced to death by hanging and executed. The historians agree that the Witch Trials were a result of mass hysteria but there are several theories about its causes. Listed below are 5 possible reasons for one of the most tragic events in American history.
Boredom
One theory claims that it all started because the girls in the village were bored. Indeed, there wasn’t much to do. In addition, the Puritans held very strict beliefs which forbade many forms of entertainment not only for adults but for children too. And for girls, it was even worse because the restrictions for them were more severe than they were for boys. For them, reading books, and attending small circles involving fortune telling and telling/listening to various stories - among other also about witches and witchcraft - were the main form of entertainment.
Strong Belief in the Occult
The Puritans strongly believed in the existence of witches and witchcraft. According to the belief, witches were in alliance with the devil that gave them power to do harm. They were blamed for all kinds of misfortunes from illnesses and failed crops to bad weather and other things that had a perfectly rational explanation even three centuries ago. But due to the strong belief in the occult, the villagers were inclined to the most improbable explanations. For them, witches and witchcraft were a very real threat.
Disputes, Rivalries and Personal Differences
Many of those who were accused of witchcraft had unsettled accounts with their accusers or were seen as a threat to the Puritan values. About 50 people were directly or indirectly accused by the members of the Putnam family which strictly followed the Puritan beliefs and customs, and strongly supported Reverend Samuel Parris, the