Salem witch trials

The Salem witch trials (1692–93) were a series of investigations and persecutions that caused 19 convicted ‘witches’ to be hanged and many other suspects to be imprisoned in Salem Village in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. They were part of a long story of witch hunts that began in Europe in the 14th century.

The Salem Witch Trials has gone down in history as one of the most tragic and egregious abuses of the judicial system. So what started it and what factors played in a role in it? Not what you expect.

Salem, Massachusetts

With the release of "Hocus Pocus 2," Salem is having a moment. Here’s what to know about the biggest myths surrounding the Salem Witch trials.

The European Witch-Craze spanned over centuries during the early modern period, resulting in the deaths of thousands across Europe. Most were coerced into “confession” by torture and other means of extracting a “confession” of being a witch and committing maleficium. During this time the actual religion known as Wicca wasn’t…

This painting accurately depicts the pointing of fingers in 'The Crucible'. But, just as fingers were pointed in 'The Crucible', so were fingers pointed in 'The Scarlet Letter.' Everyone accused and pointed fingers at the accused in the Salem Witch Trials just as they had pointed fingers in 'The Crucible'. The only difference? In 'The Crucible', nearly every single accusation was false while in 'The Scarlet Letter' the accusation was true- Hester Prynne had truly committed adultery.