What elements existed or were created within the community to allow Abigail and the other girls to gain power?

The community already had deep seated resentments and petty squabbles going on between them. The girls were able to introduce fear, conjecture, and intimidation among the population. People, like Mr. Putnam, used the hysteria created by the girls to cheat people out of their land. Others settled petty grievances by charging others with witchcraft.