Women and Witchcraft in 17th Century America

Discovery Education (2006a) explains that the fear of magic and witchcraft was common throughout New England for many centuries before the Salem Witchcraft trials of 1692. Discovery Education (2006b) further explains that church was a major activity during the 17^th century and that most inhabitants of Massachusetts were Puritans, whose lifestyles were dictated by a strict moral code, including the belief that any sin should be punished in some form. Wikipedia (2006) explains that Puritans believed one's fate was determined at birth and that Puritans constantly sought clues from individuals as to whether they'd be cast into hell or allowed into Heaven. Evans (1997) explains that most everyone believed in witchcraft and believed it to be a product of the devil during the 17^th century (p.32). Wikipedia (2006) also explains that there were disputes over land ownership among inhabitants of Salem Colony and Salem Village. These factors contributed to the increased accusations of witchcraft within Salem in 1692 and exemplify some of the social tensions that took place in the greater community, which was split between Salem Colony and Salem Village (Discovery Education, 2006b).