How did the witch trials begin and what exactly took place?

Answer 1

The witch trials in Salem began in the winter of 1692 when girls in Salem Massachusetts began exhibiting traits of bewitchment. A panel of ministers met an asked for the names of the witches. The four girls gave three names: Sarah Goode, Sarah Osbourne and Tituba. Those women went to examination in March, which is similar to a Grand Jury. Tituba gave a false confession, telling the crowd that there were more than three witches. Accusation increased over the next month, until more then 150 people sat in jail in Boston on witchcraft charges. Official trials began in June and continued to October, convicting and executing 19 people. In early Ocotber, the wife of the Governor was accused. His already faltering belief in the accusations left him and he banned the supposed visions of the bewitched as real evidence. There were no more conviction and in May, 1693, London granted the governor the authority to clear everyone who remained in prison.