THE WITCHES OF SALEM

Introduction:

In the following piece of research I will be explaining about the trials of the witches , where they happened, how the trials came about and who they were.

The Witches of Salem.

Where the trials happened :

The trials happened in more than one town but Salem is the most widely known, and is located in the state of Massachusetts in America. It was already known as a town with problems as its 600 citizens were divided in their beliefs , between those who lived in the town and made a living from the sea and the other half who were farmers, who believed that they people of the town were not living according to the rules of Puritanism.

How the Trials Came About:

The Trials came about because of the extreme religious ideas of the Puritans. They were opposed to the Church of England and believed the following ideas, that; the loss of crops , children and livestock were all due to the wrath of God, that sinful behaviour was due to supernatural forces and that women were more likely to be devils.

The most important farming families of Salem had created their own church , in order to worship in their own way. They had also appointed a new Minister , Rev Samuel Parris, who believed in witchcraft.

In the Winter months there was not much for the people to do and so reading was a popular pastime. People were interested in books about prophecy and fortune telling and girls used to form small groups reading and practising these things . Betty Parris and Abigail Williams were part of a reading circle. They would also practise the prophesies with the other girls , at one point the girls started to be scared of the results , so Betty Parris told her father the Rev Samuel Parris .

Having social and financial problems at home were causing her and her cousin Abigail Williams a lot of stress leading to unusual behaviour, which Samuel Parris decided could only have been caused by Witchcraft.

Who they