The Salem Witch Trials

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During February 1692 through May 1693 the town of Salem went from being a normal Puritan town to a hunting ground. The people of Salem where not hunting simple things like deer or foxes, these people where on the hunt for something that was being controlled by Satan himself. Witches had the town of Salem shaking in their boots and extremely suspicious of everyone around them. Innocent lives were taken and the town of Salem would go down in history as one of the most famous trials in America. In this research paper we will explore how the Puritan society handles the thought of witchcraft in Salem. Salem was cut into two parties during 1692, Salem Town and Salem Village. The people who reside in Salem Village were the complete opposite from their counter parts, even though Salem Village was part of Salem Town. Salem Town was filled with wealthy merchants; it was also located at the center of trade with London. The people of Salem Village were normally poor farmers who earned money nurturing their crops. Salem Town desperately wanted independence from Salem Village, it was not possible since the town was very dependent on Salem Village because they offered food, crop prices and the town also collected taxes from the village (Salem Witch Trials Economic and Social Divisions). The Salem Village also had a bit of division within its self. The residents who were near Ipswich Road became merchants (carpenters, innkeepers and blacksmiths); these people grew financially and did not mind the changes that were taking place economically. On the other hand plenty of farmers in the village who lived on the opposite side of success strongly believed that the values of Salem Town were threatening their Puritan way of life and values. The Putnams... ... middle of paper ... ... Trials, n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2014. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/sal_acct.htm. Wilson, Lori Lee. "Salem Witchcraft." The Salem witch trials. Minneapolis: Lerner Pub. Co., 1997. . Print. Kallen, Stuart A.. The Salem witch trials. San Diego, CA: Lucent Books, 1999. Print. J, Allen. "The Dissolving of the Court of Oyer and Terminer." . The Salem Journal: Legal News, 1 Jan. 2012. Web. 14 Apr. 2014. http://people.ucls.uchicago.edu/~snekros/Salem%20Journal/Legal/AllenJ.html. Department, Education . "Salem's Most Visited Museum." Salem Witch Museum. Salem Witch Museum, n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2014. http://www.salemwitchmuseum.com/education/. Ray, Benjamin . "Salem Witch Trials Notable Persons." Salem Witch Trials Notable Persons. Salem Witch Trials Noteable Persons, n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2014. http://salem.lib.virginia.edu/people?group.num=all&mbio.num=mb47.

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