Salem Town Essay

Life in early Massachusetts was much different than what it is today. Salem was split into two different parts, Salem Town and Salem Village (Hoffer n.pag.). Salem Town was considered more clean kept and less violence whereas Salem village was known for it’s crime and sickness. Due to disputed property and political office, two families, the Putnams and the Porters, caused the most problem throughout the town. Puritans were considered very strict and abnormal compared to the present (Plouffe and Plouffe n.pag.). For the Puritans, religion was the way in which both life and law operate. The children of these times suffered extremes that many today could not live without, toys.
On top of that, music and dancing were not approved by the church, so therefore, were not allowed.
It can be seen that the Puritans of this time were very strict in multiple cases (Plouffe and Plouffe n.pag.).
Also, they were not accepting of other religions and frowned upon anyone that broke the rules. Some people believed that the religious teachings and strict lifestyle might have corrupted some people into behaving in a strange way (Hoffer n.pag.). Food poisoning and psychological traumas might have also been a cause to these outbreaks (Hoffer n.pag). Witch trials were not only occurring in Salem, but other locations such as England (Matossian pag. 355-357.). In both countries, those being accused would be tried and possibly executed (Plouffe and Plouffe n.pag.). Colonists had brought the thought and behavior of witchcraft from Europe after they immigrated to the New World. The European Inquisition was taking place around the same time as the witch trials taking place in Europe. For execution in America, witches were hanged. Whereas in Europe, witches were burned at the