Salem Witchcraft Trials

Paper Summary:

This paper stresses that, when viewing the Salem witch trials as a historically ignominious phenomenon from the perspective of the late 17th century, the modern historian must remember that the pre-Enlightenment, Calvinist, Puritan mind was very different from American morality today. The author points out that, during the time leading up to the witchcraft trials, Salem, an early American community, was in the process of experiencing many economic, social and other changes, which affected the power structure, atmosphere and suspicious moods of the Salem dwellers, especially the wealthiest, most powerful and most influential citizens. The paper relates that the aftermath of the Salem witch trials was a period of atonement and reflection; centuries later, these trials of 1692 remain a permanent stain on American history and collective conscious.

From the Paper:

"Clearly, the vast majority of those who were hunted, tried, and convicted of witchcraft in Salem in 1692 were from less than well-off backgrounds, while those who organized and took part most zealously in the witch hunt and witch trials themselves were from wealthier and more powerful backgrounds. Some accusations of witchcraft were likely driven, also, by longstanding animosities among families. For example, one of the accused who was later convicted and hanged, Rebecca Nurse was one of three Towne sisters, all identified as witches, who were members of a Topsfield family that had a long-standing quarrel with the Putnam family."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Linder, Douglas. "The Witchcraft Trials in Salem: A Commentary." Famous American Trials: Salem Witchcraft Trials 1692. Retrieved May 22, 2006, from: http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/SALEM.HTM.
• Morgan, Edmund. The Puritan Dilemma. New York: Longman, 1998.
• Norton, Mary Beth. In the Devil's Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692. New York: Knopf, 2002.
• "Salem witch trials." Wikipedia. May 18, 2006. Retrieved May 22, 2006, from: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem_witch_trials.html>

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