1. Salem Witchcraft Trials 1692 A look into what caused this episode of our history and the effects.

2. Primary Causes of Salem Witchcraft Trials The origins of the Salem Witchcraft Trials can be studied from various perspectives, including historical facts, religious beliefs, and human nature. A combination of viewpoints can offer possible explanations for the hysteria and human suffering that resulted. Examination of the social and religious context of 1692 Salem indicates an environment ripe for suspicion and panic.

9. Conclusion: What have we learned form the Salem Witchcraft Trials? The Salem Witchcraft trials exposed the dangers of unchecked suspicion, spectral evidence, and mass hysteria. Yet, human suspicion of one another continues. In his book The Salem Witchcraft Trials , author Peter Hoffer describes this human fear as “part of the frailty of human nature.” Man is still fearful of others who are unlike him. Sadly, prejudice and discrimination are still alive and well. Americans are still fearful of the dark forests on the edge of town. However, those forests are no longer inhabited by native Indian tribes or the witches caldron. Today, our dark forests of fear house our racial and religious fears. Immigrants, alternative lifestyles, people with an unusual skin tone; all those different people reside in the dark forest. Hopefully the light of tolerance and respect will one day illuminate our dark forests. When will we realize that as humans, we are more the same than we are different. When we are happy, we smile. When we are sad, we cry. When we are cut, we bleed. A focus on our similarities might lead to a brighter edge of the forest.

10. Works Cited Google Images . Web. 26 Dec 2009. Hoffer, Peter Charles. The Salem Witchcraft Trials . Lawrence, KA: University Press of Kansas, 1997. Print. Keene, Jennifer, Saul Cornell, and Edward O'Donnell. Visions of America. 1st ed. volume 1. Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2009. Print. Salem Witch Trials . The History Channel: 1998, DVD. .