How Did The Puritans Contribute To The Salem Witch Trials

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Historical Puritans The puritans created the Puritans religion were created to cleanse the corrupt and sinful practices in England and enforce public morality. The puritans believed that churches specifically Roman Catholic were full of hierarchies and so the Puritans escaped England and to gain religious freedom “They [puritans] contended that The Church of England had become a product of political struggles and man-made doctrines. The Puritans were one branch of dissenters who decided that the Church of England was beyond reform”(Kiser). The Puritans headed for america and created a “pure” religion and lifestyle. They strictly followed the bible and were calvinist. They valued congregation or community, the lord's day, and God in their mind and soul and though all …show more content…

After numerous wars with the indians on surrounding land and a smallpox break out everyone was on edge.There are many theories why the witch trials occurred and what sparked it “Nothing about this tragedy was inevitable. Only an unfortunate combination of an ongoing frontier war, economic conditions, congregational strife, teenage boredom, and personal jealousies”(Linder), all of these could have contributed to the start of the witch trials, but people may never know what real cause this catastrophic event. During this time to be proven a witch the accused were put on trial and would have to recite the Lord's prayer, be examined for warts or other markings, have a witness testify, special evidence, and a confession. During the test girls who were at the trial would scream and roll on the floor during the test ( Witchcraft in Salem), this would relate to the possible cause for the trials of teenage boredom and personal jealous or trying to get attention in this religious focused community the trials lasted only months but had everlasting