In at least 150 words, explain how religion influenced the causes and outcomes of the Salem Witch Trials.

CONTENTS

Context & Origins of the Salem Witch Trials

Salem Witch Trials: The Hysteria Spreads

Salem Witch Trials: Conclusion and Legacy

The infamous Salem witch trials began during the spring of 1692, after a group of young girls in Salem Village, Massachusetts, claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused several local women of witchcraft. As a wave of hysteria spread throughout colonial Massachusetts, a special court convened in Salem to hear the cases; the first convicted witch, Bridget Bishop, was hanged that June. Eighteen others followed Bishop to Salem’s Gallows Hill, while some 150 more men, women and children were accused over the next several months. By September 1692, the hysteria had begun to abate and public opinion turned against the trials. Though the Massachusetts General Court later annulled guilty verdicts against accused witches and granted indemnities to their families, bitterness lingered in the community, and the painful legacy of the Salem witch trials would endure for centuries.

Context & Origins of the Salem Witch Trials

Belief in the supernatural–and specifically in the devil’s practice of giving certain humans (witches) the power to harm others in return for their loyalty–had emerged in Europe as early as the 14th century, and was widespread in colonial New England. In addition, the harsh realities of life in the rural Puritan community of Salem Village (present-day Danvers, Massachusetts) at the time included the after-effects of a British war with France in the American colonies in 1689, a recent smallpox epidemic, fears of attacks from neighboring Native American tribes and a longstanding rivalry with the more affluent community of Salem Town (present-day Salem). Amid these simmering tensions, the Salem witch trials would be fueled by residents’ suspicions of and resentment toward their neighbors, as well as their fear ofd at the stake during the Salem Witch Trials?

History of Witches

Women Weren’t the Only Victims of the Salem Witch Trial

The Salem Witch Trials were deeply influenced by the religion of the early New England communities. Most of the people that had settled in this region by the 17th century were Puritans who had faced persecution in England. These migrant people wanted a land where their religion could be respected and openly practiced. This led to several consequences. This connection created communities that were very tight and close to each other, and where dissenters were not easily accepted. Moreover, these communities were often very strict in their laws, as they did not want their authority and beliefs to be challenged. Religion formed a big part of their identity and witchcraft was openly opposed to this religion. Therefore, while New England was not the only area in the world where "witches" were persecuted, it is one of the only ones who considered this to be an essential part of their identity as a people and as a community.  

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