Social Factors Of The Salem Witch Trials - 1439 Words

Salem, Massachusetts, known for its history of witchcraft in the seventeenth century. The accusation of witchcraft lead to the Salem witch trials; A series of trials which examined the people whom were accused of witchcraft. Men and women of the Massachusetts Bay colony were being accused of witchcraft, multiple factors played a role in this event. This paper will discuss factors that lead people to being accused of being witches; Including, the behaviors and social situations of the accused, political and social pressures from both the accused and the accusers, and environmental factors. When learning of witchcraft in the seventeenth century, it is important to understand the faith at the time. Knowing the what the people, at the time,†¦show more content†¦4). Social and political issues were a substantial part of why people were being accused of witchcraft. During the seventeenth century, men and women did not have the same rights nor place in society. As said in the previous paragraph, ministers held a high social status in the society, men only. Not only did ministers hold high status, but also men of wealth, faith, and education. One of the men whom held a high status, as well as power in the Salem Village was Samuel Parris. The terms â€Å"witchcraft† and â€Å"witch† were brought when Parris was a minister, he began the perception of witches, through preaching’s telling of the devil and through trial and testimonies (Baker 19-20). Parris also gained many male followers whom accused people, â€Å"men who lodged formal charges†¦come from poorer western part of Salem Village...It is not a coincidence that the age of witch hunts also saw the birth of capitalism.† (Baker 119). This began the idea the orig inal theory, men accusing women of witchcraft, which soon changed because of the social status and behavioral aspects of the people accused, along with more people becoming accusers. Men and women did not hold the same social status as each other, that meant they also did not have the same rights as each other. Though that was true and there were many male accusers whom followed Parris, that did not mean accusers were only limited toShow MoreRelatedSalem Witch Trials1478 Words   |  6 PagesThe Salem Witch Trials of 1692 were a series of trials in which twenty-four people were killed after being accused of practicing witchcraft. These trials were caused by different social climates of the area including the very strong lack of a governor, the split between Salem Village and Salem Town, and the strict puritan lifestyle during the time period. Tituba, the black slave, was a foreigner from Barbados. Her role in society was to take care of Mr. Parris’s family. 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