Historical Context

Thank-you Mr Wright for linking me to this cool Smithsonian article:
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/brief-salem.html

It really set the foundations for establishing the historical context of Salem, and more importantly, of New England during the 1600's. Let us briefly outline that context :D

* New England was one of the first European settlements in North America. Many English pilgrims moved here in around 1620, many to escape the restrictions on religion in England. The first arrived late in 1920 on the Mayflower, to establish the Plymouth colony and practice religion freely. (Separatists-withdrawing from a larger religious group and/or believing they should interact primarily with co-religionists) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separatism

* After the Pilgrims, the Puritans sent over smaller groups in the mid 1620's to establish colonies. Like the original pilgrims, this was mainly because of religious reasons- there was huge religious conflict at the time between the Pilgrims, the Kings James I and Charles I of England, and the Church of England.

* Salem, Massachussets was settled in 1626 by Roger Conant. Conant was not a separatist, and Salem was originaly a commercial venture for agriculture and a winter haven for Banks fishermen.

* In 1689 English rulers William and Mary started a war with France in the American colonies. This displaced many people from New York, Nova Scotia, Quebec etc., whom took refuge in the County of Essex (Mainly Salem Town.)It is very possible that the strain on resources caused by the refugees is part of the cause of the Salem Witch Trials.

* From the 1300's-1600's witch hunts had been rippling throughout much of Europe. The executions at Salem would be the last for witchcraft in America.

* It was not unusual for anything unexplained to be blamed on the work of the Devil. At this time, the Devil was a very real entity that could destroy God's will through allies in human society.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_England_Colonies
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puritan_migration_to_New_England_(1620%E2%80%931640)
http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Salem,_Massachusetts