The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions that took place in Salem, Massachusetts between 1692 and 1693. During this period, a group of young girls claimed to be possessed and accused several local women of witchcraft. The accusations led to a wave of hysteria, resulting in the arrest of many individuals and the execution of 20 people, mostly women. The trials were fueled by a combination of fear, superstition, and social tensions within the community. The use of spectral evidence, where accusers claimed to see the spirits of the accused, played a significant role in the convictions. The trials eventually ended, leading to a reevaluation of the legal proceedings and the treatment of those accused.