What are the external conflicts in Witch of Blackbird Pond?

I
think the main external conflict in the book is the conflict that exists between Kit and the
Puritan society in general. Kit comes to Connecticut from Barbados where she was used to a
certain level of wealth and prestige. Kit was also used to an easier life in which she did not
have to do much manual labor. Her life in Barbados stands in sharp contrast to the Puritan
society that she finds herself in for much of the book. The Puritan women are used to working
and working hard. They wear drab clothing as well. For much of the book,
Kit is simply a "fish out of water." Her attitude and expectations create conflict for
her with other members of the town.

The division that exists between Kit and
the town only grows as Kit begins to spend more time with Hannah Tupper. As the fever strikes
the town, Hannah and Kit are targeted as necessary scapegoats. Kit is accused of being a witch,
and she is put on trial. The accusations placed against Kit are not solid; they are rooted in
the fact that Kit is different than the rest of them and spends time with other people the town
has alienated.

Another conflict that is present in the story is the conflict
that exists between the colonists and England. The best example of this conflict is the charter
the colonists have that grants them certain rights and a certain amount of freedom. During this
time in history, England attempted to revoke colonial charters. The townspeople in the story do
not want that, so in chapter 15 they steal and hide the charter. The purpose of hiding the
charter was to prevent it from being revoked so that Connecticut could maintain its own rule.
This kind of conflict between the colonists and England will continue to grow until a war is
necessary for the colonists to achieve full independence from England.