Historical Events In American History: The Salem Witch Trials

The Salem Witch Trials was a historic event that occurred in Salem, Massachusetts in the year 1692 and lasted until 1693. It’s known to be a dark time in American History (Brooks, Historyof Massachusetts.org). It first began when a group of teenage girls were exposed of practicing witchcraft and it then lead to bigger things Innocent people were killed and others were treated poorly. More than 200 individuals were wrongfully blamed and 20 were executed for denying the accusations (Blumberg, Smithsonianmag.com ). To this day no one is sure as to why the trials even started. There are numerous theories that state the causes of the infamous witch hunt but only a few of them are quite convincing. Many historians believe that religion is the main
cause of the trials because it is what makes up the society. In the following paragraphs, the 4 causes of the Salem Witch Trials will be discussed. They consist of environmental, economic, social and political causes.
The “little ice age” is a phenomenon that happened between the 1550 and the 1800’s. It was a period of cold weather in the northern hemisphere, which includes Salem, Massachusetts. Many historians believe that these witch hunts happened more frequently in times of chilly weather. During these periods people tend to look for scapegoats to blame when their crops fail and are dealing with economic hardship (Wolchover, LiveScience.com). According to Emily Oster, a Ph.D student from Harvard, witches were the scapegoats. The people of the town blamed witchcraft for their struggles because they believed the weather was controlled by supernatural powers.
Economic struggles in the town of Salem exceeded after the change in the weather.
Farmers had a hard time adjusting to the climate. The theory of revenge was then introduced. Land ownership was a big deal in Salem at this time. The people would always argue about who owned the most land. Historians claim that the accusations made by the two sick girls, Ruth Putnam and Betty Parris, were encouraged by their fathers. It is said that they took advantage of the hysteria in Salem and asked their daughters to accuse specific people as a way of revenge (Brooks, HistoryofMassachusetts.org). Thomas Putnam and Reverend Parris benefitted from this because they were then able to take their land and claim it as their own. Also, the fact that these two individuals held so much power in the society gives more proof as to why this theory could be
correct.
Gender played a huge role in the Salem witch hunt. Women were never seen as equal to men, they were looked at as the weaker sex. In the 16th century women were expected to be housewives and mothers. The reason most of the accusations consisted of women was because they were considered more susceptible to sin (Michelle, Exemplore.com). Men held so much power over women that the way they acted made it easier to accuse them of witchcraft. For example if a woman was emotional or was acting odd then that would be the reason for the accusation. This was not a motive but a symbol of power held by men used constantly against the females in their lives (Ahopley, TeenInk.com). The accusations by the group of young girls’ were also believed because they were seen as pure and innocent so they trusted them. The society’s beliefs were based on their religion therefore they could not disagree with them.
During the 16th century the citizens of Salem were all religious christian puritans.
They had strong beliefs and the society was controlled by Puritan law. The law was very strict. People believed that a little sin such as falling asleep during a church recital deserved a punishment. Women and men were expected to dress and act a certain way. According to Discovery Education, “individual differences were frowned upon” meaning people had to keep their thoughts and opinions to themselves. The Puritans believed in the devil as much as they believed in god. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, women were more “susceptible” to sin because Satan went to those who were weaker and whoever followed him was then considered a witch. Practicing witchcraft was one of the biggest sins to make and it was punishable by death. As reported by many scholars society’s way of thinking was influenced by their religion which then lead to what is known as “the darkest time in American History”.
In conclusion, religion is the main cause of the Salem Witch Trials due to many reasons. Christian Puritanism controlled the town of Salem. It influenced the citizens to think a certain way as well and it planted these thoughts in their heads. For example, believing that women are weaker than men and so on. According to the research conducted, one can see that the political cause was what made the most impact. Though, this does not mean that the environmental, economic and social causes are any less important
but that the reason they were formed was because of the way the community was established.