| A | B |
|---|
| Satan is acting in the world | disease, natural disasters and bad fortune were the work of the devil |
| Satan recruits witches and wizards | Earlier cases in New England and Europe, "sign devil's book" |
| afflicted person has certain symptoms | Cotton Mather's book MEMORABLE PROVINCES explained symptoms, most can be faked |
| times of troubles made it seem likely Satan was active | small pox, problems between Salem town and Salem Village |
| imagination of teenagers | boredom |
| teenage rebellion | children expected to act like adults, only read Bible, children rarely played, and showing emotion was discouraged |
| poisoning | theory that infected rye caused hallucinations |
| civil officers and judges receptive to witchcraft | a way to blame people for failures, spectral evidence |
| "witches" confessions | If one confessed, he was not killed |
| old feuds | past arguments between families |
