by Dawn Hawkins

Created on: February 18, 2011   Last Updated: February 21, 2011

The Salem witch-hunts are the most famous stories of mass hysteria in the United States. History lessons are studied in schools, even at the elementary school levels throughout the country each year. Students learn the basic information about the Salem witch-hunts; however, discussions rarely take place about what the possible causes of the hysteria were.

Visiting modern day

Salem, Massachusetts sheds a great deal of light on the causes of the witch-hunts. There are several offerings in the old town for people to see first hand what actually took place in those days long gone. It is important to grasp an understanding of what these trials were really about in order to prevent future "witch hunts". People do not always heed the past to avoid future misconduct though.

Possible causes of the Salem witch-hunts

Lack of knowledge: When the first teenage girl, Betty Parris, fell ill, the doctor could not determine what was wrong with her. Rather than admit that this was something new to him, he blamed it on something supernatural. This was the basis of everything that was to occur in and around Salem over a period lasting for about a five-month period. Had the doctor admitted that he did not know what was physically wrong with the girl, this may never have occurred.

Boredom: One of the principal causes of the Salem witch-hunts can be attributed to the boredom of several young girls. Upon visiting Salem, this is one piece of information that will not be overlooked. The accusers were young girls. In the year of 1692, teenagers had little to keep them entertained. This was a Puritan community. The strict church laws prevented much in the way of entertainment. Four girls made the statements and accusations. Though there were certainly illnesses that appeared to be "of Satan", the illnesses can easily be attributed to actual physical illnesses. Many theories abound. Urged on by the adults in their lives, at least four teenage girls began the accusations. The teenagers became the center of attention. The act of accusing innocent people was much like a game to the girls, providing them with much needed entertainment.

The domino effect: Some of the teenage girls later admitted that they were lying when they accused innocent people of being witches. This is probably the most difficult task of their journey. The accusations caused the deaths of several innocent lives. Once the girls began to make the accusations, it was difficult to stop. The girls would have been outcast had

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