Salem Witchcraft History
The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 were a dark time in American history. More than 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft and 20 were killed during the hysteria. Ever since those dark days ended, the trials have become synonymous with mass hysteria and scapegoating. Causes Salem, Massachusetts was not alone in its witch hunt. A wave of witch trials swept Europe from the 1300s to the 1600s. These witch hunts happened for a variety of reasons and were greatly influenced by the fear of the devil and the commonly accepted belief that he could give witches the power to hurt people as a reward for their loyalty. The Witch, No. 3 lithograph by Joseph E. Baker published by Geo. H. Walker & Co circa 1892
“The Witch, No. 3″ lithograph by Joseph E. Baker published by Geo. H. Walker & Co circa
1892
Salem was settled by puritans in 1628 and was the beginning of the Massachusetts Bay
Colony. King Charles I granted the puritans a royal charter to colonize the area, but Charles II revoked this charter in 1684 after colonists violated several of the charter’s rules. These violations included basing laws on religious beliefs, running an illegal mint and discriminating against Anglicans. A newer, more antireligious charter replaced the original one in 1691 and also combined the
Massachusetts Bay Colony, Plymouth Colony and several other colonies into one. The puritans, who had left England due to religious persecution, feared they were under attack again and were losing control of their colony. A feeling of uneasiness and discontent surrounded them. The colony was also under a great deal of strain at the time due to a recent small pox epidemic, growing rivalries between families within the colony, a constant threat of attack from nearby NativeAmerican tribes, and a recent influx of refugees trying to escape King William’s war with France in Canada and upstate New York. All of these factors created a tense environment in Salem. Events
“The Witch, No. 3″ lithograph by Joseph E. Baker published by Geo. H. Walker & Co circa
1892
Salem was settled by puritans in 1628 and was the beginning of the Massachusetts Bay
Colony. King Charles I granted the puritans a royal charter to colonize the area, but Charles II revoked this charter in 1684 after colonists violated several of the charter’s rules. These violations included basing laws on religious beliefs, running an illegal mint and discriminating against Anglicans. A newer, more antireligious charter replaced the original one in 1691 and also combined the
Massachusetts Bay Colony, Plymouth Colony and several other colonies into one. The puritans, who had left England due to religious persecution, feared they were under attack again and were losing control of their colony. A feeling of uneasiness and discontent surrounded them. The colony was also under a great deal of strain at the time due to a recent small pox epidemic, growing rivalries between families within the colony, a constant threat of attack from nearby NativeAmerican tribes, and a recent influx of refugees trying to escape King William’s war with France in Canada and upstate New York. All of these factors created a tense environment in Salem. Events