Salem Witch Conflict Case Study

Community and neighborhood tensions: The Salem witch crisis had a complex underlying story that was a result of pre-existing rivalries and disputes spreading throughout the growing port town of Massachusetts: between agrarian and urban residents. Boyer and Nissenbaum argue that the complication arises due to social and economic tensions between the eastern and western factions of the village; The eastern faction supporting Salem Town's governance of the village's affairs whereas the western faction wanting complete independence from the town. In 1672, partial independence is given to the village by permitting them to have their own meeting house. The disputes begin when the ministers are elected. By 1692, three ministers had already been appointed and dismissed. During the term of the fourth minister, Rev. Samuel Parris, in which the witch accusations began. It is seen in the map of witchcraft accusations from February 29th to March 31st in …show more content…
A combination of psychological, social and economic factors come into play in the study of the disorder. During the time of the outbreak, various wars had been going on throughout New England between the Indians as well as other Europeans. In addition, within the community of Salem, several political and religious disputes left members of the puritan society distressed. This lead them into a frenzy of accusations against each other over immaterial issues. For instance, in the testimony of John Allen, he describes "That he refusing, because of the weakness of his Oxen, to Cart some Staves, at the request of this Martin, she was displeased at it" (Witchcraft trial documents: Susanna Martin and Goodwin Glover,TSB-5,1) and then blaming the dying or escaping of his cattle on this instance with the supposed