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Why did the Puritans believe in witches?
Witches were thought to be able to harm people and therefore were feared greatly. The Puritans feared the Devil and God equally and “they believed the Devil was real, and had the intent to Page 2 C6-18 2 influence and harm” (Mills 16). People heard about and eye witnessed the fits the Afflicted girls were having.
What was the real reason for the Salem witch trials?
The Salem witch trials and executions came about as the result of a combination of church politics, family feuds, and hysterical children, all of which unfolded in a vacuum of political authority.
What was witchcraft as defined in 1690?
Witchcraft, which people believed represented direct human contact with the devil, was one of the most serious crimes in the early colonies. A series of misfortunes—fires, epidemics, costly battles with Indians—affected Massachusetts colonists in the 1670s, 1680s, and early 1690s.
What was illogical or unfair about the Salem witch trials?
One of the most illogical aspects of the witch trials was how do deal with an accusation made against an individual.
How did religious and cultural beliefs influence the Salem witch trials?
While the Puritan culture’s strong Christian beliefs did dictate the behaviour of New England society, for the authorities that instigated the Witch Trials, religion was a mere justification for their actions that allowed them to gain support by instilling in the masses the fear of a higher power.
Why were colonial New Englanders willing to believe accusations of witchcraft about their fellow colonists?
2. Question : Why were colonial New Englanders willing to believe accusations of with craft about their fellow colonists? Answer: The colonial New Englanders were willing to believe the accusations because the life styles of the so called “witches” did not line up with that of the cooperative men and women of Salem.
Who was accused of witchcraft in New England?
The first three people accused and arrested for allegedly afflicting Betty Parris, Abigail Williams, 12-year-old Ann Putnam, Jr., and Elizabeth Hubbard, were Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba—with Tituba being the first.
Who did Cotton Mather accused of witchcraft?
Cotton Mather, the minister of Boston’s Old North church, was a true believer in witchcraft. In 1688, he had investigated the strange behavior of four children of a Boston mason named John Goodwin. The children had been complaining of sudden pains and crying out together in chorus.