trials and examinations
Preceding the trials, Salem was split in two sides each supporting a different minister. This split was yet another factor that enabled the hysteria to thrive. Throughout the process of the trials, the amount of citizens imprisoned outnumbered the amount of those still present in the community. Livestock and orphans were unattended; the economy of Salem was in a downward spiral. The accusations started as miniscule but morphed into grand lies. As the trials came to a close the true motives of the accusers and their accomplices were unveiled. Those tried for witchcraft had the opportunity to confess but upon confession, they would lose their homes and belongings, which would be auctioned off or sold to other members of the community. This was the prime motivation for the accusations. Citizens of Salem would accuse others of witchcraft to gain property and extend their land, increase their wealth by attaining the money of the imprisoned, or take vengeance for past wrong done to them. The trials claimed the lives of seventeen men and woman and two dogs. The tragic deaths of the innocent were direct results of the vindictive members of Salem, Massachusetts.