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Salem Witch Trials Theories

Why did the Salem witch trials -- or as the episode is sometimes called, the Salem Delusion or Salem witch craze -- happen? What led neighbor to denounce neighbor, with more than 20 deaths resulting?

Salem Witch Trials - Recommended Books
A selection of the best books to read to learn more about the New England witch hunts. Some books look at why most of the accused were women; others focus on alternate explanations, including legal rules, disease, psychology, religion and so forth.

FAQ's About the Salem Witch Trials
From a commercial museum commemorating the Salem Witch trials of 1692, some quick answers to common questions. For more depth, you'll want to consult other resources, but it's a good starting point.

New Light on Witchcraft
Joseph McCabe's skeptical approach to the history of witchcraft and the evolving definition of "witch," part of a larger critique of Christianity.

Salem: Witchcraft Hysteria Interactive
This illustrated site includes a few tidbits about the Salem Witch Trials. The bibliograpy and an "ask the expert" list of questions may be found via the pull-down menu. The online feature is meant to accompany/enrich the 1997 National Geographic print feature on the witchcraft craze of Salem, in 1692.

Were the witches of Salem a result of poisoning with ergot fungus?
Cecil Adams of "The Straight Dope" column weighs in on the likelihood of ergot poisoning being behind the strange behavior of the afflicted girls of Salem village.

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