Though the exact cause for the witch trials is unknown, there is a lot of ideas about the cause. The cause scholars think is most accurate is Betty's illness, but they say that there was more factors involved. This is a list of causes that scholars put together.
-Strong belief that Satan is real and acting in the world
-The Invisible World, like diseases, demons, etc.
-A belief that Satan recruits witches to carry out his deeds
-Belief that a person who is bewitched exerts certain symptoms
-Time of troubles when Satan seemed to be active
-Cotton Mather's Memorable Providences
-War with the Indians
-Teenage boredom
-Convulsive Ergotism, a disease that Betty and Abigail might have been ill with
-Tituba's confession
-Confessing witches
-Old feuds
These all had a major part in the Salem Witch Trials.
-Strong belief that Satan is real and acting in the world
-The Invisible World, like diseases, demons, etc.
-A belief that Satan recruits witches to carry out his deeds
-Belief that a person who is bewitched exerts certain symptoms
-Time of troubles when Satan seemed to be active
-Cotton Mather's Memorable Providences
-War with the Indians
-Teenage boredom
-Convulsive Ergotism, a disease that Betty and Abigail might have been ill with
-Tituba's confession
-Confessing witches
-Old feuds
These all had a major part in the Salem Witch Trials.