![]() Rather, behind the events in Salem and surrounding towns was a unique convergence of conditions, including a new charter and government, a grim and bloody frontier war in Maine, and sectarian and political power-struggles. Emerson Baker explores the rich catalog of explanations that have been put forward over the years to explain the mystery of what happened in 1692 - such as hysteria brought on by ergot poisoning or encephalitis - but ultimately shows that there was no single factor. The resulting Salem witch trials, in which more than 150 individuals were accused of witchcraft, shook the colony and resulted in the deaths of 25 people, 19 of whom were executed. ![]() The authorities, responding to accusations and pushed into action, began to hunt down and prosecute those believed responsible for the demonic work. ![]() As more villagers fell victim to these startling and inexplicable symptoms, the community became convinced that it was in the throes of a massive outbreak - a veritable storm - of witchcraft. ![]() In Salem Village, young women began suffering from torments, causing them to shriek and contort their bodies they complained of pins being stuck into their flesh and of harassment by specters. In January 1692, strange things started happening in the Massachusetts Bay colony. ![]()
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