What caused the Salem witch trials? This question has been asked for hundreds of years, but the world is still unsure of the answer. The only statement that can be proven is that there are multiple causes (salemwitchtrials.com). There was no single factor that caused the trials to exist. Even simple things, like fear, contributed to the whole cause. To this day, scientists and researchers still argue about the answer to this enigmatic question. In the early winter of 1692, in colonial Massachusetts, two young girls began exhibiting strange symptoms described as being "beyond the power of epileptic fits or seizures." natural disease with effect (examiner.com)." Doctors examined them, but found no logical explanation for their illnesses. Therefore, the girls were accused of participation in witchcraft. Soon other young women of the village began to exhibit similar symptoms. This sort of "disease" slowly spread through the village and affected many residents. Soon, people began to come up with possible theories as to what had started all this. madness One of the broadest causes suggested was hysteria. Hysteria can arise due to many different situations. One of the catalysts for hysteria was fear of things such as Indian attacks. (salemwitchtrials.com) kept people up at night People lived in worlds ruled by fear The Puritans had to be careful, because the Indians could attack them at any time. This led to the spread of rumors, because the. Survivors of the attacks would then seek protection in Salem and tell others about their recent horrific experience. Among the rumors was the idea that the natives were linked to the devil. People believed that the Indians were Satan worshipers, and that not only were they... middle of paper ......tch-trials-2>."The Salem Witch Trials." FAQs. November 20, 2013. “Salem Witch Trials: The Mushroom Theory.” » Néatorama. 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.” EDITment. November 26, 2013. “What Caused the Salem Witch Trials.” What caused the Salem witch trials. November 26. 2013 .