The historic Salem Witch Trials arises in the early 1692s and claims the lives of about 20 people. The hysteria became popular in the village of Salem due to the fear and anxiety installed in the residents. Witches become a popular affair within the village, and two little girls were the reasons for the growth of the hysteria in Salem. The two young villagers initiate the paranoia about witches when they begin to exhibit abnormal behaviors after visiting a woman in seek of uncovering their fortunes. From that historical account, the accusations began to gradually spread through the town. Although theories have developed in uncovering the reason for the trials, pre-established conditions and beliefs were the reason for the Salem Witch Trial
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The village of Salem consisted of a highly religious community of Puritans, which had earlier established the significance of a witch. Puritans view witches as people who were recruited by the Devil; therefore, the beliefs of the Puritans contributed to the Salem Witch Trials Hysteria because witches would have never been accepted in their communities due to their practices. In the eyes of a Puritan, “ a woman who botched the words when saying the Lord’s Prayer might be the Devil’s agent”, which displays an example of when the religious principles of a Salem villager would influence the image or perspective of an individual and could possibly lead to the accusation or death of an individual (pg. 9). Also, Salem villagers strictly followed the word of God, so even when a Bible verse says “‘Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live’”, the villagers will inherit this mindset and might assassinate an accused witch based on this verse (James, Doc A). Puritans believed that God purposefully created their population, so they could endeavor arduous tasks in order to make it into to heaven, which explains why they heavily value their religion and the word of God.
The Salem Witch Trials Hysteria of 1692 was caused by a mass paranoia and many other factors. Although the existence of witches during the 1690s could have been questionable, the Salem Witch Trials Hysteria should not have taken place in our history. In order to have avoided this event, the colonies needed a sense of leadership within the village and the correct education on what qualifies a person as a witch. Ignorance and a lack of understanding the concept of witchcraft were the reasons for the tragic deaths and imprisonment of almost 300 people during that time
The village of Salem consisted of a highly religious community of Puritans, which had earlier established the significance of a witch. Puritans view witches as people who were recruited by the Devil; therefore, the beliefs of the Puritans contributed to the Salem Witch Trials Hysteria because witches would have never been accepted in their communities due to their practices. In the eyes of a Puritan, “ a woman who botched the words when saying the Lord’s Prayer might be the Devil’s agent”, which displays an example of when the religious principles of a Salem villager would influence the image or perspective of an individual and could possibly lead to the accusation or death of an individual (pg. 9). Also, Salem villagers strictly followed the word of God, so even when a Bible verse says “‘Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live’”, the villagers will inherit this mindset and might assassinate an accused witch based on this verse (James, Doc A). Puritans believed that God purposefully created their population, so they could endeavor arduous tasks in order to make it into to heaven, which explains why they heavily value their religion and the word of God.
The Salem Witch Trials Hysteria of 1692 was caused by a mass paranoia and many other factors. Although the existence of witches during the 1690s could have been questionable, the Salem Witch Trials Hysteria should not have taken place in our history. In order to have avoided this event, the colonies needed a sense of leadership within the village and the correct education on what qualifies a person as a witch. Ignorance and a lack of understanding the concept of witchcraft were the reasons for the tragic deaths and imprisonment of almost 300 people during that time