What would be the conflict and the controversy(spelled that wrong probably) of the Salem witch trials?

Answer 1

The answer about it being a reflection of Puritan intolerance of those with different theological views is a complete stereotype. When the Puritans believed someone's teaching was in serious error they at times went as far as to send them away from the community -- they did NOT try and execute them as 'witches'

Also, in this particular case, religious leaders played an important role in ENDING the trials (esp. by arguing that :"spectral evidence" should NOT be admitted).

So, what was the 'controversy'? There is much confusion and debate about the exact issues, but it seems to have been a very local clash -- more social and economic (newcomers vs. older ?), NOT a theological one. Rapid changes and perhaps also recent tensions for Indian Wars (esp King Phillip's War) may have set the stage for the hysteria.

If you want a good overview that sorts some of this out, try this article by Douglas Linder -- "The Witchcraft Trials in Salem: A Commentary"
http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/SAL_ACCT.HTM

If you want a bit more, an easy read (a bit dated in some points but gives you a sense of what the COMMUNITY was going through), try the book *The Devil in Massachusetts* by Marion L. Starkey (1949)

And if you REALLY want a good up-to-date study, the current 'classic' is *In the Devil's Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692* by Mary Beth Norton (2002)

Some more useful online resources (including collections of documents related to the trials):
http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/salem.htm
http://www.salemwitchtrials.org/home.html
"Teaching the Salem Witch Trials -
http://www.iath.virginia.edu/~bcr/maps_esri/Ray_ch02.pdf

Answer 2

Actually I live in Massachusetts and have been to Salem several times. The contreversy is the Puritans who left Engalnd to gain realigious freedom are now dictating the religion of others who they refer to as heritics and witches. It's like sociology when one kid on the playground gets picked on. He starts picking on other kids to make himself higher on the social ladder.