Belief in the supernatural-and specifically in the devil's practice of giving certain humans (witches) the power to harm others in return for their loyalty-had emerged in Europe as early as the 14th century, and was widespread in colonial New England. In addition, the harsh realities of life in the rural Puritan community of Salem Village (present-day Danvers, Massachusetts) at the time included the after-effects of a British war with France in the American colonies in 1689, a recent smallpox epidemic, fears of attacks from neighboring Native American tribes and a longstanding rivalry with the more affluent community of Salem Town (present-day Salem). Amid these simmering tensions, the Salem witch trials would be
fueled by residents' suspicions of and resentment toward their neighbors, as well as their fear of outsiders.
What the Treaty of Ghent did achieve to which it ended the War of 1812 was it set up a peaceful process for settling future disputes. The war was between United States and United Kingdom and the treaty was signed on December 24, 1814.
enlightenment thinking emphasizes reason, morality, and natural law rather than scriptural authority. it championed imagination, emotion, and the individual over reason, science, and society
