The Salem Witch Trials is a topic of extreme interest to me. I actually just finished writing a 12 page paper on the subject, and I did not mind in the slightest because I find it to interesting.
The Witxh Trials in Salem, Massachusetts initiated in the late 1600s, and they essentially occurred because of the dominance of Puritanism in Salwm at the time. Puritanism dictated specific criteria of what the expected behaviour of women had to be, and any woman who failed to abide by such criteria was usually accused and convicted of witchcraft. A lot of innocent women were mirdered because of false accusations.
The Puritanism teachings instructed individuals in Salem that women were more susceptible to Satanic possession and therefore witchcraft because it was considered that their minds and bodies were weaker than men’s. Most law officials in Salem in the seventeenth century were actually religious figures, usually ministers, meaning any woman who was accused of witchcraft had no chance of escaping conviction.
Accusations began because a lot of young children in the village began experience fits of hysteria, and the only explanation that could be offered was that such fits were being brought on by a witch and her actions. It’s actually been discussed now that these fits were likely a result of Ergot poisoning, which is really sad and alarming.
A lot of scholars believe that witches are still recognized with a negative perception in society today because of what occurred in Salem in the 1600s. Puritanism perpetuated an ideal of witches, and therefore women, that has projected in centuries throughout history.
What are your thoughts on the Salem Witch Trials?
Thanks for reading. 
– Lauren
ontheedgeofeverything 