The Salem Witch Trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. This dark chapter in American history took place during a time when belief in the supernatural and fear of witchcraft was prevalent. The trials occurred in the town of Salem, which was a small, close-knit community heavily influenced by Puritanism. The events that unfolded during this period would have a lasting impact on American society.

The witch trials began when two young girls, Betty Parris and Abigail Williams, started exhibiting strange behavior. They claimed to be afflicted by witches and accused several individuals in the community of practicing witchcraft. These accusations quickly spread, leading to widespread panic and fear. The accused were often women, but men and even children were also targeted.

The legal proceedings in the Salem Witch Trials were unique and controversial. The accused were brought before a special court, known as the Court of Oyer and Terminer, which was established specifically to handle witchcraft cases. The court relied heavily on spectral evidence, which was testimony about supernatural occurrences or visions. This type of evidence, along with confessions obtained through questionable means, often led to guilty verdicts and sentences of death by hanging.

The Salem Witch Trials were fueled by a combination of societal factors, including religious beliefs, social divisions, and economic pressures. Puritanism, the dominant religious belief in the area, emphasized the existence of evil forces and the importance of rooting out sin. This religious fervor, coupled with existing tensions within the community, created an environment ripe for the outbreak of witchcraft accusations. Additionally, economic hardships and conflicts over land added to the overall anxiety and paranoia.