Answer:
Lack of scientific knowledge contributed to the Puritans' perception of witchcraft.
Women were the main victims during the hysteria,.
The witch-hunt occurred due to a combination of superstition and societal tensions.
Options (C) and (B) are true.
Explanation:
The Puritans, a religious group that emerged within the Church of England during the 16th and 17th centuries, held a complex view of witchcraft. Generally, Puritans believed in the supernatural, including the existence of witches and demonic forces.
They perceived witchcraft as a malevolent force associated with the devil, posing a threat to their religious and community values.
In the context of the Salem witch trials in the late 17th century, which is one of the most infamous examples of witch hysteria in Puritan New England, women were indeed the main victims.
Accusations often targeted women who deviated from the societal norms, whether due to their behavior, social status, or personal conflicts within the community.
Factors such as jealousy, personal disputes, and the desire to explain misfortunes contributed to the accusations.
Thus,
Options (C) and (B) are true.