00:00 The Salem Witch Trials were a case of hysteria and injustice in which over 200 people were charged with witchcraft and 20 people died.

02:20 Europe experienced a wave of witch hunts in the 14th century, resulting in the deaths of as many as 10,000 people, and the Puritans, who established colonies in New England, created theocratic communities in order to escape persecution from other sects.

04:14 The initial accusations of witchcraft in the Salem Witch Trials were made by young girls against three women, Sarah Good, Sarah Osborn, and Tatuba, with Tatuba admitting to witchcraft after being beaten by Samuel Parris and giving a detailed confession involving various animals and the devil.

06:14 Confessions and the use of spectral evidence led to more accusations of witchcraft, including prominent members of the Salem religious community, and those who defended the accused were also arrested.

08:11 The Royal Governor of Massachusetts convened a court of oyer and terminator to hear and decide on the accusations of witchcraft, and despite requests to deny spectral evidence, the court proceeded with the trials, resulting in the execution of several individuals, including Bridget Bishop, Sarah Good, Elizabeth Howe, Susanna Martin, Sarah Wildes, Rebecca Nurse, Martha Carrier, George Jacob Sr., George Burroughs, John Willard, John Proctor, and Giles Corey, causing concerns that the trials were spiraling out of control.

10:04 The court of Euler and Terminer was closed and replaced by the Superior Court of Judicature, resulting in the end of executions and the release of those imprisoned, but 20 people had already been killed and the proceedings were later declared unlawful.

11:57 The Salem witch trials may have been a case of mass hysteria, but some historians believe it could have been caused by attention seeking, petty jealousies, and grievances.