The Salem Witch Trials, which took place from 1692 to 1693 in colonial Massachusetts, resulted in a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft. Ultimately, the trials led to the execution of 20 individuals, most of whom were women, and many more were imprisoned. The outcome prompted widespread fear, hysteria, and a societal reckoning about justice, evidence, and the balance of power in communities. By the end of the trials, public opinion shifted sharply against the proceedings, leading to the eventual dissolution of the special court that conducted the trials in 1693.