The Reasons And Importance Of The Salem Witch Trials

To understand the reason and significance the Salem Witch Trials hold, it is important to know what life was like in the sixteenth century. The Salem Witch Trials occurred due to tension reaching its peak in Salem, Massachusetts that effected women even to this day. In the year 1629, Salem was officially established located on Massachusetts north shore. Most of the settlers were English or of English decent and as a result they carried over many English laws. Also in the year 1629, England issued a charter that allowed young Salem the right to self-govern. Salem was primarily filled with Puritans, and their religion effected Salem’s autonomy. English emigrants left their home to escape political and religious oppression, but ironically the

Just like England, Puritan’s did not accept any other religious beliefs besides their own. Puritan’s had a strong belief of god and the devil, which greatly contributed to the hysteria of witchcraft. Every action they made was to prove that they lived a life devoted to god’s work. Puritans saw the devil as the reason for misfortune and thought women to be weaker to temptation. The fear of being persuaded by Satan was accompanied by the paranoia of Indian raids. At this time Indians were allies of the French and had a very negative reputation among the colonies of Massachusetts. The year 1692 was not an easy year for the women of Salem. Tension over load caused by English Law, neighboring wars, and unfortunate events lead Salem to experience the dark side of

Throughout history women have been perceived as the weaker sex because of their femininity. As a result, women’s value and place in society has been shaped by a male dominate view. The responsibilities expected of women have followed the pattern of a stay at home mom. However, just like men women have always provided important contributions to both their family and community. In the sixteenth century, a stay at home mom did more than just clean, cook, and care of the children. They also provided all the details in between. For example, the clothes they made, the meat they cured, and milk they got from cows. The title of a “goodwife”, also known as a “goodie” granted more respect to a married women. Women were used for their nurturing ways but shut down for their independent thoughts, especially in Massachusetts. A woman’s place in Puritan society is beside a man. The concept of Predestination was introduced to Puritans by a man named John Calvin. Predestination is an essential component of puritan belief, which made them think God had already decided their fate. Puritans follow a very strict law, because they have no way of knowing who is predestined to go to heaven and who is not. Even though, the expected role of Puritan women required them to be submissive to men, they still had an equal chance to be a predestined vessel of