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The Puritans were a group of religious zealots, who desired religious freedom. They wished to establish a new society separate from the English and Catholic Churches. They sought to create a model civilization overseas, free from the influence of European practice. They believed their theology of Calvinism would guide them to create a God-centered government (theocracy) that would serve as a city on a hill, a paragon, for the societies of the world. It was the Puritans who established the base of American thinking and the American education system.

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The Puritan settlements were considered wilderness societies. The people grew fearful of their environment. The population of the New World strongly believed that Satan was real and working in the world through his agents; witches and wizards/ warlocks. The practice of witchcraft was popular in Europe; the settlers' place of origin. The Puritans believed that witches lived among them; having followed them across the sea. The witch hysteria arose as a result of this increasing anxiety. Neighbor turned on neighbor and friend on friend, all accusing the other of dabbling in witchcraft.

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Anyone could be tried as a witch. It could be the town beggar, a prostitute, the average townsman, or a high standing member of the church. In such trials, there was no evidence. An accusation and spectral evidence was enough to convict a person of practicing witchcraft. The spectral evidence often came in the form of young women who would experience strange behaviors and sensations. The key to these trials was the behavior only occurring in the presence of the accused witch. The young women would complain of scratching or bring sensations, all do a sudden jerky movement, or even have marks appear on their bodies as a result of the accused's presence. There were other forms of trial as well. An accused witch could also be swimmed or pressed. The result of these trials was often death. A person could confess to practicing witchcraft in order to survive, but would face major consequences. He or she could be jailed, have their property taken, and would be outcast from all social settings

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Calvinism is a branch of Protestant Christianity that originated from the teachings of John Calvin. Calvinism emphasizes the sovereignty of God, predestination (the belief that God predestined people to enter either Heaven or Hell), and the depravity of humans (the belief that humanity is inherently sinful). These ideas were central to the Puritan beliefs and played a significant role in shaping the religious and social culture of the Salem, MA community. Calvinist theology instilled a strong fear of the devil's influence. Witchcraft was seen as a direct manifestation of Satan's power in the community, making accusations of witchcraft particularly alarming.

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In the years following World War II (the Cold War), the American population was crippled by an anxiety of communist infiltration. Joseph McCarthy led a "Save America" movement against all Soviet espionage and the spread of communism. The House of Un-American Activities Committee "investigated" alleged communist ties, often leading to blacklisting and ruined careers; the most famous of which being Arthur Miller, the author of The Crucible. Like the Salem Witch Trials, the Red Scare was fueled by mass hysteria, accusations w/o evidence (fear-driven persecutions), shifts in social and political control, and public acknowledgment of wrongdoing.