Salem Communication and Isolation
Salem was more or less cut off from others towns during the time of the Salem Witch Trials. This caused an information vacuum where the only source of knowlegde they had was the Bible. Their dependence on the bible to explain events created the belief that the Devil was creating witches that were bewitching the town's children. Children were well educated in witches becuase slaves, often from the Caribbean would entertain them with stories of voodoo and witchcraft while their parents were away. Also, medicine was not as advanced as it is today, so when a girl began convulsing of barking without physical problems, they were declared bewitched. These syptoms are symptomatic of mass hysteria. Mass hysteria is an ailment whose exact cause is still unknown but is defined as strange behaviors appearing rapidly within a particular group of people such as vocal tics, twitching, or even convulsions. Salems isolation meant that no other towns could be called upon to help with the epidemic Salem was experiencing. People knew how isolated and alone they were and this cuased widespread panic, more hysteria, and the Witch Trials to try to protect the children from the devil.
By: Ben