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Initial Afflictions
January 1692: Initial Afflictions:
Event: The events that would lead to the Salem Witch Trials began when two young girls, Betty Parris and Abigail Williams, exhibited strange behaviors and symptoms, including fits, convulsions, and hallucinations.
Significance: The afflictions of Betty Parris and Abigail Williams are considered the catalysts for the Salem Witch Trials, leading to accusations and investigations. -
Warrant Issued
February 1692: Warrant Issued
Event: Local magistrates issued a warrant for the arrest of three women, including Tituba, a slave owned by Samuel Parris, accused of witchcraft.
Significance: The arrest marked the official beginning of the trials, with the accused forced to undergo examination and interrogation. -
Bridget Bishop's Execution
June 1692: Bridget Bishop's Execution:
Event: Bridget Bishop became the first person to be tried and executed for witchcraft on June 10, 1692.
Significance: Bishop's execution set a precedent, and it marked the beginning of a series of trials and executions that would follow over the next few months. -
Peak of Hysteria
July 1692: Peak of Hysteria:
Event: The trials reached their peak in July, with numerous accusations, trials, and convictions. The court faced immense pressure, and people from various backgrounds were accused of witchcraft.
Significance: The peak of the hysteria demonstrated the extent of the community's fear and the dangers of the trial proceedings -
Governor Phips Intervenes
September 1692: Governor Phips Intervenes:
Event: Governor William Phips dissolved the Court of Oyer and Terminer, the special court established for the witch trials, in early October.
Significance: The governor's intervention brought an end to the trials, and Phips established a new court that was more skeptical of spectral evidence. The change in legal proceedings contributed to a decline in accusations and the eventual release of many accused individuals