Salem - Why the hunts began?

Question 1

What are the 3 paragraphs for why the hunts began in Salem?

Answer 1

• Political conditions/ weakened authority
• Indian threats
• Social tensions

Question 2

What evidence is there for political conditions/ weakened authority?

Answer 2

• Glorious Revolution (James II overthrown) -> led to overthrow of Andros

Question 3

What RC is there for political conditions/ weakened authority?

Answer 3

• Massachusetts was a heavy puritan society (1630s migration from England)
• Andros policies had lead to lack of authority

Question 4

What was the impact of the political conditions/ weakened authority?

Answer 4

• Influence of Mather grew -> encouraged fear in Salem of foreign beliefs
• When things went wrong, saw Devil at work
• Increase/ Cotton Mather led rebellion

Question 5

What is the link of the political conditions/ weakened authority?

Answer 5

• Lack of authority exacerbated events ->made widespread
• Shows strength of theocracy
• Did not trigger sudden urge of events

Question 6

What is the evidence for the Indian threats?

Answer 6

• 1st Indian war, 1/10 of military men killed, outsiders seeked refuge (population growth of 3%)
• 2nd war coincided around same time as hunts

Question 7

What is the RC for the Indian threats?

Answer 7

• Puritans thought Indians were Devil worshippers

- Indian attacks from early days of European settlement

Question 8

What was the impact of the Indian threats?

Answer 8

• Fostered a deep seated paranoia concerning God’s willingness to allow the Devil to attack Puritans
• 2nd war led to further attack feeling from outside -> growth of fear and use of spectral evidence

Question 9

What is the link of the Indian threats?

Answer 9

• Fear led to change in social view -> hunts became easier and more significant
• Fear indirectly caused events in Salem

Question 10

What is the evidence for social tensions?

Answer 10

• Between Salem Village/ Town (600 people)
• Village, agricultural and staunch Puritans
• Town, less agriculture and religious belief

Question 11

What is the RC for social tensions?

Answer 11

• Massachusetts governed as theocracy -> aspects of life followed strict religious principles

Question 12

What was the impact of social tensions?

Answer 12

• Poor harvest -> village accuse town

- Porter family tried putting end to witchcraze, found difficult when allies under suspicion

Question 13

What is the link for social tensions?

Answer 13

• Helped trails become widespread

- Tensions led to accusations, reasoning beyond witchcraft