The Salem witch trials in 1692 came out of a belief on the part of the Puritans that some people were possessed by the devil. Superstition and fear led to the deaths of at least 19 people in Salem who were accused of witchcraft. During a long boring day in winter, two young girls spent an afternoon with Tituba, a West Indian slave woman, who told them tales of African magic. Eventually more girls came to hear the stories. When fainting spells and fits of crying started, the girls claimed that Tituba had cast a spell on them. This was only the beginning. The frenzy spread!
People who held grudges against others would accuse them of witchcraft. There was mob hysteria! Others outside of Salem were also brought to trial and hanged. Finally, the Boston authorities stopped the trials. They also released those remaining in jail. Things calmed down and went back to normal, but this was a tragic time in SalemΓÇÖs history.
