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It spooks them (discuss.online)
submitted 4 months ago by to c/atheistmemes@lemmy.world
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[–] 18 points 4 months ago (2 children)

I have read that it was much more about silencing outspoken women than any thought of witchcraft.

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  • [–] 19 points 4 months ago (1 child)

    Also, land disputes played a significant role:

    https://salemwitchmuseum.com/locations/border-disputes/

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  • [–] 12 points 4 months ago*

    Yep, the Putnam family had 3 ”afflicted girls" (one was adult), and made over 60/200 accusations. Almost all of which were against political or business rivals, or connected in some manner. It very well may have began a political/business conspiracy between Thomas Putnam and Reverend Parris, playing on very real Puritan and settler fears.

    Plus, the Indians were kinda pissed about being slaughtered, and were big on raiding Colonial towns at the time, which added to fears

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