Salem Witchcraft Trials

Paper Summary:

The purpose of this study is to examine, in brief, some scientific approaches to the question of what exactly caused the Salem witch trials. What was the impetus behind these girls accusing members of the community of witchcraft? Barring the presence of actual witches, what does the scientific community have to say regarding the matter? Specifically, the paper examines the possibility that the girls who accused so many in the Salem community were suffering from ergot poisoning, a toxic and psychoactive condition that results from ingesting grains that have been contaminated with the ergot fungus.

From the Paper:

"In the course of the European colonization of the Americas, few historical events are as bizarre, unexplained, and yet formative as the Salem witch trials of 1692. During that tumultuous year, a number of young girls accused many members of the community of being witches. The result was that a number of these people were executed, with many more imprisoned for their "crimes." The purpose of this study is to examine, in brief, some scientific approaches to the question of what exactly caused the Salem witch trials. What was the impetus behind these girls accusing members of the community of witchcraft? Barring the presence of actual witches, what does the scientific community have to say regarding the matter?"

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