Answer:
The accussations of a group of young girls started the witch hysteria in salem. Soon many people in the town were crying witch on others and from the use of torture the accussed witches gave up names of others saying they were witches in hopes that by cooporating their torture would be lessened. It is not likely that any of the people tortured and killed were actually witches at all. you can learn about this and more at www.thewitchescollective.com