Killing the Witches: The Horror of Salem, Massachusetts

How does the experience of the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower foreshadow the terrible experience that their descendants will suffer in the Salem Witch Trials? How does this early struggle with religious and political authority shape the Puritan worldview that later enables the witch trials?

In what ways were the Salem Witch Trials a reflection of the precise historical context? What specific factors helped make a people more likely to a bout of mass hysteria? Consider the role of war, religious extremism, and political instability in creating a culture of fear.

How did the witch trials serve the interest of certain powerful actors, and what did they do to make sure that the trials continued? Examine the motivations of key figures like Cotton Mather and Judge Stoughton—were they driven by genuine belief, ambition, or a mix of both?