History of the United States I / Unit 3 USH1 0331 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Witchcraft and Salem
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The idea
Puritans believed witches allied with the Devil to cause illness, death, livestock loss and catastrophe. Hundreds were accused across New England.
In practice
Women, thought more susceptible through weaker constitutions, forming the vast majority of suspects and of those executed.
Where people slip
At Salem Village in sixteen ninety-two many accusers had experienced trauma from the Native frontier wars. Authorities executed nineteen people.
Your place on the trail
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