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Quick takeaways
- History is full of scapegoating and turning on one another fueled by superstition and fear.
- Mary Webster's survival after being accused of witchcraft challenges the townspeople's superstitious beliefs.
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Fear and Superstition in Early America
In early America, superstition and fear of the supernatural were pervasive. If something unexplainable occurred, blame was often placed on witchcraft. The Salem witch trials in Massachusetts exemplify this pattern, where accusations were frequently made against neighbors and those with differing religious beliefs. The consequences of being accused of witchcraft were dire, often leading to the confiscation of property and ruined lives. Similar stories of neighborhood witches and their "defeat" were prevalent throughout New England, casting individuals in a negative light based on superstition and personal animosity.
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