The Witch Trials were a series of historical events where individuals, mostly women, were accused of practicing witchcraft. These trials occurred in various parts of the world, with notable examples in Europe and Colonial America during the 16th to 18th centuries. Accusations often stemmed from social tensions, fear of the unknown, or personal grievances, leading to investigations and sometimes brutal punishments. During the trials, evidence was often based on superstition, confessions obtained under duress, or spectral evidence, where accusers claimed to see the spirit of the accused committing witchcraft. The most infamous of these trials was the Salem Witch Trials in 1692, where a wave of hysteria led to the execution of 20 people.