Final answer:
The Salem witch trials had two main objectives: identify and punish perceived witches, and restore order and maintain authority. Religious, social, and political factors drove these objectives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Two Objectives of the Salem Witch Trials
The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. The trials had two main objectives:
- To identify and punish those perceived as witches
- To restore order and maintain the authority of the Puritan church and government
These objectives were driven by a combination of religious, social, and political factors, including a belief in the existence of witchcraft, fear of the Devil's influence, and concerns about the erosion of traditional values and social hierarchies. The trials resulted in the execution of 20 people and a lasting impact on the community.
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