#salem1962

[salemwitchtrials-dc]

The hysteria that swept through Salem Village, Massachusetts began in January 1692 when several young girls began to display unusual behavior. The community was at a loss to explain the seizures, senseless screaming, and trance-like states that afflicted the young women. Physicians who examine the girls could find no cause of the disturbing behavior. Since the source of their afflictions were not attributable to a physical malady, it was reasoned that it must be the work of Satan.

[salemwitchtrials-dc]

Later, in February the village began fasting and praying in hopes to cast away the influences of the devil. The afflicted girls were pressured to reveal who in the community was to blame for their behavior. A total of three women were identified and examined. One, Tituba, confessed to seeing the devil who appeared to her “who sometimes appeared as a dog or a hog and who asked her to sign in his book and to do his work.” Even more troubling, Tituba confessed that a conspiracy of witches permeated Salem Village. Tituba’s confession succeeded in transforming her to a central figure in the expanding prosecutions as well as silence most skeptics. Salem began witch hunting with zeal.