Summary
In January 1692, two young girls in the predominantly Puritan village of Salem, Massachusetts, began suffering convulsions, hallucinations, and fits of screaming. The town's doctor diagnosed them as "bewitched," and local Puritan ministers agreed. Accusations of witchcraft quickly swept through Salem, and over the course of the year, more than 200 colonists were placed on trial. Twenty-four of them were found guilty and executed. Were the trials actually motivated by Puritans' belief in witchcraft, or were there other factors at work?
This eBook examines the Salem Witch Trials and delves into the pro and con arguments that surrounded them. It includes a timeline, primary sources, a bibliography, and a "Learn More About" chapter with more information on the topic.