What caused the Salem Witch Trials? This question has been asked for hundreds of years, but the world is still not sure of the answer. The only claim that can be proven is that there were multiple causes (salemwitchtrials.com). No factor pushed the experiments into existence. Even simple things, like fear, took part in the overall cause. Even today, scientists and researchers still debate the answer to this enigmatic question. In the early winter months of 1692, in colonial Massachusetts, two young girls began exhibiting strange symptoms that were described as "beyond the power of epileptic fits or natural disease to effect (examiner.com)." Doctors examined them, but could find no logical explanation for their ailments. Therefore, the girls were accused of taking part in witchcraft. Soon, other young women in the village began showing similar symptoms. This sort of "disease" has slowly spread through the village, reaching many residents. Soon, people started coming up with possible theories about what started all this madness. One of the broader causes suggested was hysteria. Hysteria can arise due to many different situations. A catalyst for hysteria was fear. Fear of things like Indian attacks (salemwitchtrials.com) kept people up at night. People lived in worlds ruled by fear. The Puritans had to be careful, because at any moment the Indians could attack them. This led to the spread of rumors, because survivors of the attacks would then go to seek protection in Salem and tell others about their recent terrible experience. Among the rumors was the idea that the natives were connected to the devil. People believed that the Indians were Satan worshipers, and that they were not only...... middle of paper......tch-trials-2>."Salem Witch Trials." Frequently asked questions. November 20, 2013. “Salem Witch Trials: The Mushroom Theory.” Neatorama. November 26, 2013 .The Scribe. “Salem Witch Trials: Mass Hysteria or Mass LSD Trip?” Ancient history blog. July 11, 2011. November 29, 2013 "Secrets of the Dead." PBS. PBS. November 26, 2013 “Understanding the Salem Witch Trials.” EDSITE. November 26, 2013 “What Caused the Salem Witch Trials.” What caused the Salem witch trials. November 26. 2013 .