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Who wants to do more homework than they have to do? You decide to not waste time reading about the Puritans. Why would you need to know about the Puritans?
You decide to watch the swirling lights in the tunnel before you.
You notice that the years on the display are counting backward. You look for a way to stop the car but you aren't able to. As you look at the lights it seems like you can see people and events but you aren't quite sure.
The spinning tunnel of light begins to slow as the date slowly counts down: 1699, 1698, 1697, 1696, 1695, 1694, 1693, 1692.
Once the date stops moving, the computer voice announces: "We have arrived in 1692."
You cautiously open the door and step out of the car.
As you look around, you notice that there is no one in sight. You are completely alone. You see a trail near you. In one direction it looks like the trail is heading toward more open areas, in the other, the trail disappears into the forest.
You decide to walk into the forest.
it is getting dark in the forest
it is getting dark in the forest
It is getting dark, and it is getting cold. You are starting to wish that you had gone the other direction. Many sets of eyes start to appear in the darkness around you and you are starting to get just a little bit scared.
You hear a whooshing sound near your head and then an arrow sticks into a nearby tree. Terrified, you run back down the trail towards the time-traveling car, screaming all the way.
You get to the car and shut the door.
Suddenly the car speaks to you: "You should have studied about the Puritans instead of staring out the window! I would have warned you to not go into the woods - there are Native Americans there who are at war with the colonists! Have a seat and learn a little about the Puritans."
You have no desire to get skewered by an arrow, so you sit back and listen to the car. You look at the screen in front of you and read the following:
A HISTORY OF WITCH EXECUTIONS IN EUROPE
A HISTORY OF WITCH EXECUTIONS IN EUROPE
Many churches in Europe during the Middle Ages taught that the Devil could give power to people called witches in exchange for their loyalty - this was taught up until the 1600s and it influenced what the Puritans believed.
From the 1300s - 1600s thousands of accused witches were killed in Europe - most of them were women
Puritans in 1692:
Puritans in 1692:
The Puritans believed strongly in an invisible world and the Devil
The Puritans thought that a witch was someone who agreed to help the Devil. In return for their help, the Devil would give witches material possessions and powerÂ
Puritans lived in small towns. People knew a lot of things about their neighbors.
The Church and Government were the same - Church leaders were Government leaders
Church attendance was required by law
Puritan clothing was plain and dark
The Puritans believed that when people suffered it must be that they had done something wrong and God was punishing them. They generally wouldn't help those who were suffering
70 miles away, other British colonists have been killed in fighting with Native Americans
The car's computer speaks to you again:
"There are Puritan clothes for you to change into in the cargo box behind you. You will want to change into them now - you don't want to stand out. Also, it would be wise to not let them know that you are from the future. Whatever you do, don't show them your cell phone!"
You notice that new information has appeared on the screen:
Puritan children and teenagers:
Puritan children and teenagers:
Puritan children were held to the same strict conduct as Puritan adults
Showing emotion was discouraged
Toys and games were considered sinful
Boys could be apprentices, hunt, fish, and explore the outdoors
Girls stayed indoors and cleaned, washed and sewed
You hear the car's voice again:
"There is more that you should know. Three years ago, the King and Queen of England started a war with the French settlers near the Puritans' settlement in North America. This war sent many refugees from British settlements to the north to Salem. These refugees put a strain on Salem's resources and have added additional stress to the community."
The car's computer screen shows you a map of Salem.
The car speaks again:
"Now, follow the pathway into town. Do not go back into the woods. You may observe the Puritans, but try to not speak with them as you may struggle to appear as though you are from the year 1692. Look in the glove compartment and you will find a watch. The alarm on the watch will let you know when I have returned to 1692 to bring you back to Vista. Now, get out and head into town - the opposite way of the forest"
And with that, the car tips you out of the door and immediately disappeared.
You quickly change into your Puritan clothes.
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