The Salem Witch Trials began in 1692 after a few girls claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused local women of witchcraft. The hysteria spread, over 200 people were accused of being witches, and nineteen were executed by hanging. Is a family rivalry to blame? Were people losing their minds from ergot poisoning rye bread? INTERVIEWS:Historian and author Marilynne K. Roach. Her books: Six Women of Salem and The Salem Witch TrialsRachel Christ, Director of Education at the Salem Museum: https://salemwitchmuseum.comEMAIL: Webcrawlerspod@gmail.comVOICEMAIL: 626-604-6262DISCORD: https://discord.com/invite/VNGJnHrFOLLOW: Twitter / Instagram / Reddit / FacebookPATREON: HEREMERCH: https://webcrawlerspod.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/webcrawlers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.