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Causes of the Salem Witch Trials: Political, Religious and Social

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However, as the Scientific Revolution gave way to the Enlightenment, juries were increasingly hesitant to convict even these individuals of witchcraft. Yet, throughout the colonies there were isolated hangings for witchcraft, however most of those indicted and hanged fit into the above mentioned categories...
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What is so remarkable about the Salem witchcraft trials was the sheer volume of accusations, the number of executions that took place within a remarkably short period of time and the types of individuals who were being accused of practicing black magic. As historians we must ask ourselves why. Why, at a time when it was becoming increasingly difficult to acquire a conviction of witchcraft, were so many accused sent to their deaths on the flimsiest of evidence? Furthermore, why were so many respectable and prominent individuals indicted on the mere testimony of young adolescent girls? Finally, why did magistrates and clergy give such weight to the testimony of those who under ordinary circumstances occupied the lower hierarchy of the Puritan household?female children and servants? It is precisely these inexplicable events that have led numerous historians to postulate varies theories as to why the trials were allowed to take place...
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