Final answer:
The Salem and other Witch Trials exhibited prejudice born from fear of the unknown and the 'other'. This drove the Puritan society to accuse and persecute primarily women and those seen as different or threatening. The term 'witch hunt' has since been used to describe similar situations of unjust persecution based on differences.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the text about the Salem and other Witch Trials, prejudice emerges as a consequence of a deep-seated fear of the unknown and the unfamiliar, manifesting as extreme measures taken against those who were seen as 'other' or different. The specific groups targeted during these witch hunts were primarily women and other individuals similarly marginalised by society. Evidence from the text reveals that, influenced by their belief in the supernatural and the Puritan belief system, the people of New England were more inclined to accuse those who were different or threatening in some way. The responsibility for societal misfortunes like child deaths or loss of cattle was often assigned to these 'witches'.
This prejudice is further evidenced by the fact that women, seen as more susceptible to the Devil due to their supposedly weaker constitutions, made up the majority of those accused and executed. Meanwhile, the accusations brought by those traumatized by the Native wars and unprecedented social changes just shows how deeply entrenched this fear and prejudice was.
Relating this to other literature and history, the concept of witch hunts transcends timelines and geography. It's a term even used metaphorically today to describe situations where a person or group is unjustly blamed and persecuted based on their differences or non-conformity to societal norms.
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