The Puritans were people dissatisfied with the Church of England and who worked at reforming the morals, religion and society in the 1500's though the 1700's. The writings and ideas of John Calvin, one of the leaders of the reformation gave rise to Protestantism and the Christian revolt. Persecuted by the leaders of The Church and the King the Puritans came to North America.
What most people know about the Puritans centers around the New England Witchcraft Trials, but this does not define them as a group.
The Puritans believed that The Bible was Gods one true law and it provided all that was needed for life and living. They felt the Church of England had become a product of political struggle and man made doctrines and was beyond redemption. 100's of successful thriving communities had been formed by the 1700's. Since God and the Bible was at the forefront of everything they did it was the motivating ideal that worked both for them and against them.
Their interpretation of scriptures was harsh and unyielding. Any deviation from the strict Puritan life was met with disapproval and punishment. The elders of the church were also the political leaders, so any infraction was both social and religious and there was no margin of error.
The devil was behind every misdeed and every misunderstood event even natural ones like storms. Human misdeeds,jealousy,greed and differences could be justified and blamed on witchcraft since proving witchcraft was impossible, it was simply a matter of suggesting its presence. Once the seed of fear was planted, the old woman who used plants to heal was "a witch" the young woman who smiled at your intended was "a witch" The neighbor who's stream you coveted was "a witch".
When the young girls Betty Paris and Abigail Williams fell ill and the village doctor could not find or cure the problem, he proclaimed they were "bewitched" and the hunt was on.
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