Conflicts In The Salem Witch Trials

The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 were a series of trials and accusations of over 100 people. This event still fascinates and baffles historians and people alike to this day. Things escalated and spiraled out of control and the cause of that is still a mystery. However, there are many possible causes to the hysteria which translated into numerous innocent people being accused of witchcraft. Conflict was very prevalent in Salem, Massachusetts during the time of the accusations. This conflict stemmed from many things such as religion and even the economy. Tensions began to rise and the list of accused people got longer and longer. The conflict within Salem was most likely the cause of the accusations of over 100 people. As with most things, …show more content…
The two areas were very unique to each other and were divided by their economic state, class, and the overall character of the region itself. Salem Town was the wealthier part of Salem and most of the people that resided there were wealthy merchants. Salem Town was like a port town and did a lot of trading as well. Salem Village on the other hand, was very different from Salem Town. There was mostly farm land in Salem Village and the people there were nowhere near as financially stable as those in Salem Town. Most of the people from Salem Village were farmers and made a living from growing crops and then selling those crops. People from Salem Village were also very religious and saw the economic status and prosperity of Salem Town as a threat to their strong Puritan beliefs. This was just part of what would spark major hostility between the two areas of …show more content…
Things would escalate and get worse before they got better. Over 100 people would eventually be accused of witchcraft. There were no trials because the colony had no charter until Sir William Phillips became governor on May, 14 1692(Loiselle). At this point trials could begin for those accused of witchcraft. Very rarely was a person found not guilty during their trial. Rebecca Nurse was found not guilty in her trial, but the judges were asked to further investigate her case(Loiselle). Later Rebecca Nurse was indeed found guilty, along with four other women. These accusations were not focused on group of people either. Former minister of Salem Village, George Burroughs, was also accused of witchcraft and was put on trial. With the conditions Salem was in no man or woman was safe. During the trials, people were convicted solely based spectral evidence. People started to realize this wasn’t right and something needed to change. Finally, the governor ended the court of Oyer and Terminer on October 29(Loiselle). A new court was established under the rule that they were not to charge any of the accused based on spectral evidence. This all led to Reverend Samuel Parris losing his positions as minister of Salem Village. Within five years he would no longer be minister and was replaced by Joseph Green in