The Salem Witchcraft Hysteria

The Salem Witchcraft Hysteria Introduction The combinations of social, political, religious, and economic issues in 1629 combined with fear were the main contributing factors to the Salem witch trials. The ongoing battles with the Indians, social feuding between families, the belief that God would punish those that sin and did not obey the holy law, along with the imagination and strange illnesses incited fear among the Puritans allowing many of them to be manipulated by judicial and religious leaders. Prior to the Salem witch trials, there was no separation of church and state. Many community leaders were also male religious leaders and ministers. Even though some males were accused of witchcraft, it was mostly the women, that were perceived to be independent or living a lifestyle outside the Puritans beliefs that were accused and executed. The men that were accused of witchcraft were mostly involved in social conflict, or a dispute of ideas with elders of the community. Beliefs and Society Puritans who experienced tragic circumstances interpreted the unfortunate events as punishment from God. This fear of the devil fueled the belief among the Puritan community that “evil forces could affect daily life and those that were accused of witchcraft had made a pact with the devil” (Foner, P.108). As fear of Satan grew, the Puritans became obsessed that the devil was trying to infiltrate their community. The Puritan religion did not allow them to question God’s law, and they believed only bad things happened to those that were not following a Christian or pure lifestyle. When doctors could not explain illnesses, they deemed it the doings of a “supernatural origin” (Linder, 2009). In addition to religious quandaries, there were also ... ... middle of paper ... ...m community several years prior to the witch hysteria is a profound example of the extent of revenge the Putnam’s and other elders would go to gain power. Conclusion After 19 executions, it is believed the people of Salem began to feel the trials had gotten out of control. Reverend Parris, Cotton Mather, and some jurors conceded to errors in judgment (Linder, 2009). Spectral evidence was no longer permissible, which meant that no one else could be accused of witchcraft based on hear say or opinion. Even with the admission of poor judgment and errors, none of the accuser or elders ever stepped up and accepted responsibility for the hysteria or apologized. The Salem witch hunts which were generated by fear, social, political, religious, and economic issues probably set the stage for a the American judicial system and eventually the separation of church and state.