Society, Suspicion, and the Supernatural: The Factors Behind the Salem Witch Trials

The Salem witch trials of 1692-1693 evolved out of the factors of religious fanaticism controlling Massachusetts society, patriarchal constructs that negatively impacted the views of and the actions of women, white North American constructs of race and ethnicity, interpersonal and societal tensions, and the aftermath of King Philip’s War. Religious domination of Salem life espoused conformity, the supernatural as an explanation for negative events, and the dangers of secularism. Samuel Parris played upon these factors of the Puritan religion, along with the tensions between Salem Village and Salem Town, to spur the start of the witch trials, as he was personally affected by a supernatural bewitching. Puritan women, whether afflicted or accused, were subject to extreme notions of conformity and religious doctrine that maintained the inherent sinfulness of women but found avenues of power through accusing others of witchcraft or behaving as an afflicted. Parris’ slave, Tituba, represents the racial and ethnic outsider, whose Native American heritage cast her as the propagator of Salem’s demonic activity, but who was able to find power by upending the racial hierarchy the community had created. Economic tensions between Salem Town and Salem Village were highlighted in the witchcraft accusations and were exacerbated by religious differences and climate conditions. King Philip’s War impacted Salem’s concepts of Native Americans as demonic witches, highlighted the existence of religious enemies, diminished the authority of government, and increased Puritan awareness of sin.