The outbreak of religious bigotry in 17th century New England bothers historians, sociologists and theologians to find out where the motivation lay to accuse neighbours and finally put them to execution. This work will sum up the most important attempts to explain the causes as well as it will attempt a kind of focussing on the picture of the world as recognized by members of puritan faith. After a short summary of the events in winter 1692 I will first focus on social and economical circumstances during the second half of the seventeenth century. Chapter 3 will focus the puritan world-view and matters of discussion of theologians and philosophers. Chapter 4 sums up the accusations that were stated during the trials of Martha Carrier in 1692 as a showcase.
Table of contents
Preface
1. Chronology of events
2. The Salem setting: political and economic conditions
3. Puritan faith and religious bigotry
4. The Trial of Martha Carrier at the Court of Oyer and Terminer
4.1 The end of the trial
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the main causes of the Salem Witchcraft Trials?
The causes were a complex mix of religious bigotry, social tensions, economic conditions in 17th-century New England, and the specific Puritan world-view of the time.
Who was Martha Carrier and why is her trial significant?
Martha Carrier was one of the accused during the 1692 trials. Her case serves as a showcase for how accusations were stated and handled at the Court of Oyer and Terminer.
How did the Puritan faith influence the accusations?
Puritanism fostered a rigid world-view where the devil was seen as a literal presence. This environment made it easier for neighbors to accuse each other of witchcraft based on religious fears.
What were the political and economic conditions in Salem in 1692?
The late 17th century was marked by instability, land disputes, and economic pressure, which contributed to the underlying stress that fueled the witchcraft hysteria.
What is the chronology of the Salem events?
The events began in the winter of 1692 with initial accusations and rapidly escalated into a series of trials and executions throughout the year before the hysteria eventually subsided.
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- MA Guido Maiwald (Autor), 2004, The Salem Witchcraft Trials, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/179484
