What I would like to know is why the Salem incident became so popularized when many societies all the way back committed the same atrocities if not worse ones to suspected witch's . I have not done much research on Salem I just know what I've heard so excuse my ignorance!
The way I see it, it was about obedience to the church. The best way to get people to listen and follow is to make a society hysterical and then give a good speech. Plus, it was very rough to be a widow in those times, hence the women inherited their husbands' land. Others would accuse the widow of witchcraft and they'd be hung. Allowing others to get the land, as has been already mentioned earlier.
It is a good question, I think it's because it was a small town? There were trials in Europe, but this was a community of puritans where everyone was oppressed, especially girls, and pretty much everything was a sin. One day some girls do something [according to the community] wrong, and instead of confessing, they lie [another No no but this was before lie detectors] and what followed was a small town [and a few neighbouring communities I think] turning on each other. Salem was an extremely close community because of being Puritans, so to suddenly doubt everyone, sometimes your own husband, wife, or child, I guess it was that centuries version of reality tv. The government didn't step in until the girls accused them of witchcraft.
Bridgett Bishop was one of the first women to hang on suspicion of being a witch. She, also a widow, ran a small pub where she brewed and sold apple ale and ciders. She was despised by the pious in the community for allowing the patrons of her establishment to play the devils game of shuffle board on Sundays. The next batch of hard cider that I brew I want to dedicate to her memory. I suppose that I will have to uncork it at a nursing home since that is one of the few places that you find people who still play shuffle board.
