TED-Ed: What really happened during the Salem Witch Trials

The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between 1692 and 1693. The trials were fueled by paranoia, religious fervor, and a flawed justice system. Accusations began with young girls exhibiting strange behaviors, leading to the arrest of several women. Many confessed under pressure to avoid execution. The trials accepted dubious evidence, and many were executed or imprisoned. The trials ended when accusations spread to powerful figures, prompting the governor to halt proceedings. The events serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of fear and scapegoating.

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