In five pages this paper discusses these witch trials, the reasons for them, and their community impact. Three sources are cited in the bibliography.
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so they were doing Gods will in fighting the devil. But what brought on this dark period in American history? From all accounts it was a mixture of politics, religious
superstition, a poor economy, and family feuds. For the most part, Salem was split into two main groups which consisted of those who actually lived in the township, itself,
and those who lived in the rural, agricultural areas. Because most of the people living in Salem were Puritans, their communal ways could hardly be kept when half lived in
the township and the other half lived out in the country. Those who lived on the farms wanted to separate from the town Puritans. One of the largest farming families,
who also owned more land than anyone else, wielded great power, both religiously and politically. Their last name was Putnam(LeBeau, 1998, see also Linder, 2002). In a bid for independence
from the town Puritans, a separate congregation was formed outside of town. They hired a pastor named Parris to whom they gave untoward benefits which were unheard of during this
day and age. For example, most pastors did not own land or housing, but rather stayed at a parsonage. But, Parris was given the parsonage, and the land surrounding it,
and paid a salary, and given free firewood. As one can see, this made the town Puritans upset and it seems it may have been a social commentary on how
things stood. It didnt help matters either that a majority of the congregation that met outside of town were comprised of Putnams or their relatives(LeBeau, 1998). In order to combat
this extravagancy, the town Puritans had a new election and the committee of ruling elders, to which the farmland Puritans still answered, denounced Parris and refused to collect their part