Causes of the Salem Witch Trial

The Salem Witch trials took place in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. During that time, 29 people were convicted of witchcraft, 20 of whom were executed for their crimes. The incident has become a watchword for public hysteria , intolerance and misogyny. Its roots are complicated and have numerous sources, both general and specific.

Puritanism

The Puritanical religion of the region held that Satan was a real, tangible figure and that witches were his disciples. It further held that women--as the "weaker" sex--were more susceptible to the Devil's temptations.

Coincidence

Within Puritanical society, coincidental events could take on an ominous significance. For example, a farmer whose crops prospered while those of his neighbor withered could be said to be in league with the Devil instead of simply having better access to well water.

Children's Mischief

The with trials formally began when two girls--Abigail Williams and Betty Parris--began to have "supernatural fits." Three women--Sarah Osborne, Sarah Good and a slave named Tituba, all of whom were social outsiders--were accused of using witchcraft against the girls.

Political Conformity

The accusations soon spread to others, and those who questioned the validity of the charges, or the truthfulness of the girls, soon found themselves under suspicion as well. (Betty Parris's father was Reverend Samuel Parris, the town's influential minister, and Abigail Williams was his niece.)

Spectral Evidence

Further feeding the fire were the questionable forms of evidence brought against the accused. Spectral evidence--claims by the supposed victims that they could see invisible demons in the form of the accused--was admitted during the early trials, which may have been a factor in many convictions.