The events in Salem, Massachusetts, between the years 1688 and 1693 constituted the most significant witchcraft epidemic in the history of the New England colonies. The entire event was quickly labeled a "colossal mistake" by the government after its approval. (Ray, 2010) With this in mind, the question remains; How did it all start and how could it get out of hand so quickly? Salem is a town in Massachusetts that unfortunately earned its reputation thanks to these trials. It was founded in 1626 when settlers led by Roger Conant settled Naumkeag after a failed attempt in 1623 to create a fishing settlement on Cape Ann. (Salem, A Brief History, n.d.) Its name was Christianized to Salem in 1629. However the land within Salem's boundaries was not fertile, which led residents to expand to obtain more fertile land to produce crops. Some of the key themes of Salem Village were therefore the Puritan church being allowed to function independently, the need to expand to produce crops, and political tensions with the Crown and Commonwealth regarding their charter. Factors such as these led to political tensions that are attributed to creating the events that would ultimately culminate in the infamous Salem witch trials. In 1688 Rev. Samuel Parris preached in the village for the first time and became officially employed as village minister thereafter. year. Samuel was the minister during the witch trials of which he was a driving force. Religious hysteria began and was led by this man. In January 1692 the daughter and granddaughter of the Rev. Samuel Parris. (Salem's Most Visited Museum, n.d.) When they failed to improve in a reasonable period of time they were... ... middle of the paper ...... of the Salem witch trials." History, travel, art, science, people, places |. Smithsonian. 23 October 2007. Web. 23 May 2014. .Ray B. "The Salem Witch Mania": Recent Scholarship and Textbooks in American History Of Religion [online serial] 78 (1): 40-64, MA. Accessed May 25, 2014. “Salem, a brief history.” Salem, a brief history, n.d. Web May 25, 2014. http://catholic-resources. org/Millennium/Salem/3History.html. “Salem's Most Visited Museum.” Salem Witch Museum, nd Web May 23, 2014. “Salem Witch Trials Timeline, nd Web 2014. .