"The Salem Witch Trials", heavily citing examples from "The Crucible".

The Salem Witch Trials began in the winter of 1692, taking place in Salem Village, and didn't end until nearly a year afterwards. However, turmoil had been present long before any accusations of witchcraft arose. Much of the trouble is believed to have started with the hiring and preaching of Reverend Samuel Parris. Reverend Parris was hired to preach to a separatists group led by the Putnam family. The Putnam's and their small group of supporters …

…unfairly, mainly relying on spectral evidence. Those accused of witchcraft were usually not given fair treatment outside of the courtroom either. Giles Corey refused to enter a plea of guilty or innocent to his charges, so the court resorted to torturing him for an answer. Giles Corey was pressed under heavy stones for two days, until he was finally crushed to death. His wife Martha, along with seven other convicted witches, was also eventually hanged.