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The Salem witch trials were court proceedings held in Salem Village, Massachusetts, in 1692 and early 1693.

This was the only mass witch hunt in American history

The beliefs of witchcraft were brought from Europe where thousands had been executed over the last two centuries under the conviction of being witches

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In February , Betty Parris and Abigail Williams began slipping into trances, blurting nonsensical phrases, cowering in corners, and collapsing in epileptic-like fits. Their bodies were supposedly twisted as if their bones were made out of putty.

Reverend Parris invited many doctors to examine the children. No doctor knew what to make of the situation until Doctor William Griggs examined the girls and diagnosed witchcraft.

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Over time, many scholars have defined several factors as to why this witch hunt began. Some of these are intra-community conflict, religious tension, gender concerns, and psychological relationships.

During this time of the Salem Witch Trials, people were extremely paranoid of who was a witch and who wasn't. This is why so many people were accused of being witches

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The governor of the Massachusetts colony heard that his own wife was accused of witchcraft and ordered the  end of the trials

The governor also stated that crimes that relied on spectral and intangible evidence could no longer be used during trial

Many people later admitted that they had not been victims of witchcraft

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The Salem witchcraft crisis began in mid-January 1692, when several young girls affiliated with prominent families in Salem Village began to suffer from fits, which they and their elders eventually attributed to witchcraft. It essentially ended the following November, when the last three suspects were accused.