To date, the Salem Witch hysteria and the resulting trials have baffled historians and psychologists, causing them to be unable to provide a definite answer as to why Salem was thrust into hysteria and panic. But there are still some ideas as that give insight to what might have caused the start of the trials. The most logical of the ideas is the Salem villagers ' religion and belief in the occult/supernatural which fueled the fire to start the hysteria. The beliefs and religion of Puritans during the 1600s affected the start of the trials immensely. Events that occurred before and around the start of the Salem witch hysteria also played a prominent role in causing the trials to occur. Finally, the villagers fear of the supernatural and occult
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The Puritan belief that Satan was present and active in the world was a common one. To Puritans not believing in demons, evil spirits, and witches meant not believing in Satan. Which in turn meant not believing in God. Along with this all misfortunes were blamed on the previously mentioned evils. The Puritan beliefs made a perfect habitat for hysteria to thrive. The Salem villagers were extremely religious, attending church and sermons two or more times a week. The views that witches were abominable evil beings of Satan was instilled in the minds and hearts of Salem townspeople. When a doctor blamed Abigail 's and Elizabeth 's fits (which were most likely caused by stress of the strictness of Puritan beliefs or ergot poisoning) on the supernatural, the girls and the parents assumed a worst case scenario of a witch cursing the girls without further investigations or tests. Abigail and Elizabeth 's fear latched on to someone to blame, their minds blamed women who seemed to fit the description of one. Since Puritans believed dreams and visions held meaning and were messages, spectral evidence, seeing an apparition or shape of the witch, or seemed to be perfectly justified evidence in court. It took so long for the Trials to end because the villagers believed they were for righteous …show more content…
Due to Salem being a perfect example of what can occur when religious beliefs and superstitions mix with hardships and misfortunes. The events that occurred around the start of the trials set the stage for hysteria to exist. Salem village’s religious views and belief in the supernatural was the spark that caused the Salem Witch Trials to begin, and the fear of the supernatural kept the flames going for so long. Salem Village had the perfect blend of beliefs, fears, and time to allow the Witch hysteria to thrive. But learning about the Salem Witch Trials attempts to alleviate a tragedy like this occurring again. Yet as abnormal as it may seem, Witch Hunts still exist to this day in some parts of the
The Puritan belief that Satan was present and active in the world was a common one. To Puritans not believing in demons, evil spirits, and witches meant not believing in Satan. Which in turn meant not believing in God. Along with this all misfortunes were blamed on the previously mentioned evils. The Puritan beliefs made a perfect habitat for hysteria to thrive. The Salem villagers were extremely religious, attending church and sermons two or more times a week. The views that witches were abominable evil beings of Satan was instilled in the minds and hearts of Salem townspeople. When a doctor blamed Abigail 's and Elizabeth 's fits (which were most likely caused by stress of the strictness of Puritan beliefs or ergot poisoning) on the supernatural, the girls and the parents assumed a worst case scenario of a witch cursing the girls without further investigations or tests. Abigail and Elizabeth 's fear latched on to someone to blame, their minds blamed women who seemed to fit the description of one. Since Puritans believed dreams and visions held meaning and were messages, spectral evidence, seeing an apparition or shape of the witch, or seemed to be perfectly justified evidence in court. It took so long for the Trials to end because the villagers believed they were for righteous …show more content…
Due to Salem being a perfect example of what can occur when religious beliefs and superstitions mix with hardships and misfortunes. The events that occurred around the start of the trials set the stage for hysteria to exist. Salem village’s religious views and belief in the supernatural was the spark that caused the Salem Witch Trials to begin, and the fear of the supernatural kept the flames going for so long. Salem Village had the perfect blend of beliefs, fears, and time to allow the Witch hysteria to thrive. But learning about the Salem Witch Trials attempts to alleviate a tragedy like this occurring again. Yet as abnormal as it may seem, Witch Hunts still exist to this day in some parts of the