The phenomenon known as a “hysteria” is defined as an “exaggerated or uncontrollable emotion or excitement, especially among a group of people.” In 1692, an infamous mania occurred in colonial Salem, MA known as the Salem WItch Trials. This “hysteria” was based on assumedly false accusations of colonists, mainly women, being witches. Each month these so-called witches were hung or pressed to death after a series of seemingly impossible to win trials. This delirium begs the question “What caused this mania?” Although there are many possible causes, the most probable reasons are; the greed for notoriety by the accusers, the swaying and well-known/ well-respected preachings of Cotton Mathers, and the positive outcomes of the wealth of the east
