What really happened during the Salem Witch Trials - Brian A. Pavlac

Dig into how the infamous Salem Witch Trials began and why they remain a cautionary tale of the dangers of groupthink and scapegoating.
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You’ve been accused of a crime you did not commit. It’s impossible to prove your innocence. If you insist that you’re innocent anyway, you’ll likely be found guilty and executed. But if you confess, apologize, and implicate others, you’ll go free. This was the choice facing those accused of witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts in the 17th century. How did this happen? Brian A. Pavlac investigates.
Lesson by Brian A. Pavlac, directed by Lucy Animation Studio.
Animator's website: www.silviaprietov.com/
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[@gretawogsland7553]

When your mom says "you won't get in trouble if you tell the truth" when you did nothing.

[@maskgirlmixitup]

😂 I just ruined the zero reply streak

[@jas6246]

That’s basically the event in a nutshell

[@darkangel7589]

Turned up to 100

[@keona9261]

When you got siblings.

[@iwannasleep3511]

Oh my gods this is perfect😂

[@goldsidion3086]

“Say your a witch” “I’m a witch” “That sounds like something an innocent would say”

[@parabot2]

Sounds like the Germans after WW2

[@MTC008]

@@parabot2 and like east germans after 1991

[@Vamp_1111]

Alternative universe: “say you’re a witch” “You’re a witch” “Wait guys it’s not what it looks like”

[@malacaite]

Meanwhile on the Boiling Isles.. “Say you’re not a witch! Just say it!!” “…I’m not a witch. But..I’m training hard to be one.”

[@dani_dupae]

@@malacaite 😂😂😂 I love this. I can’t wait for TOH to come back tho

[@miawaddington6052]

Governor: "Are you a witch?" No one: " No, Im a wizard?" Governor: "Ok your free"

[@miawaddington6052]

@@franksmith7247 oops sorry

[@Spell__Caster]

Ur a wizard harry! 😂

[@MrJamiez]

You're*

[@guywholikesspiders924]

aaaaaaaaand fireball

[@officialcherry730]

No lie!💯💯💯

[@diyadev539]

What I love about the animation is that it’s the town locals who have a more ‘witchy’ appearance, as opposed to the accused witches, who look like normal people.

[@eduardovasquez8071]

That's the point of the whole thing

[@Kinobambino]

great detail 🔥

[@exposeevil5492]

The were actually accused of Satanic Ritual Abuse on the children. Like Frank Fuster was accused.

[@MS-np2nf]

Makes things really objective huh.

[@albastroube8195]

And? What's your point?@@MS-np2nf

[@ahyes6481]

Epileptic girl: has seizure Literally the whole of Salem: your free trial of living has expired

[@bluegummi7645]

XD

[@Wheezr]

When your free trial comes from winrar

[@Buzzzy-bee]

Literally the whole of my country: your possessed

[@urvchh1013]

The same could happen now,if u cough in public 😂

[@maytimu844]

your free trial of living has expired, now its time for.. the salem witch trials

[@kennethsummers6857]

The emotional pain of being accused of something you didn't do, and then you're unable to prove yourself...

[@osmosisjones4912]

Reminds me of the Cosby second trial

[@gantagavin]

It is very annoying indeed

[@EvanOM]

Reminds me of my mother

[@racoonlittle1679]

Ur guilty until proven guilty! - some random judge in Salem

[@SecondVelcory]

Reminds me of the Count Dankula trial...

[@nwec777]

My dad use to tell me that “Witches” was just people smarter kind of like scientists, and they was hung because the ‘Normal’ people didn’t understand science back then, or something like that lol

[@corvusknight9575]

You certainly aren't wrong about that.

[@skyfallprime7977]

Was also because scholars opposed the church like calling earth round, so church called them witches and going all Robespierre on them

[@hishamrashid5293]

@@skyfallprime7977 *to the guillteine*

[@royalty_the1892]

You weren't really listening to your dad lol but he was right. People who would study different types of scientific methods would be labeled as heretics or witches by the church and be imprisoned it put to death. It wasn't until the enlightenment, an age of reason in most of Europe - with the exception of Spain who was going through the Spanish inquisition at the time, that there was finally separation of church and state when these medieval practices stopped, for the most part.

[@judith7026]

What does that tell you about women ?

[@upperlaurel]

I used to think it was crazy to think people believed this back in the day with no evidence. Today I realize how easily people are duped with zero evidence.

[@LuciaLight100]

It hasn’t gone away either. Look at the Satanic Panic in the 80’s. People were burning Harry Potter books for crying out loud. Just nuts.

[@emperorfaiz]

@@LuciaLight100 And the recent Cancel Culture. Just throw all the "ist" and "phobe" at someone and the rest will believe you.

[@AntiStraightMaleSociety]

Religious people are the most wicked people I know.

[@burntre1]

@@AntiStraightMaleSocietyvery true

[@burntre1]

@@LuciaLight100don’t need to go that far back, look at the covid bs.

[@justinemadigan9620]

Daughter: *misbehaves* Mom: "No dessert for you, darling." Daughter: "SHE'S A WITCH!"

[@alexn.2901]

LMAO

[@kamharmon2463]

Exactly

[@Talis1717]

It probably happened 👀

[@gearlieobedos3876]

XDDDDDDD

[@daerdevvyl4314]

youkesh100 I hope you’re being sarcastic. The accusers were a group of girls and young women, who by the way were all religious as well.

[@jari8562]

Executioner: So are you a witch? Me: *Yesn't*

[@spidery7618]

Nah, she's just Lookout.

[@rayravernous4376]

Consort.

[@spidery7618]

@@rayravernous4376 Possibly, but either way we should hang the Executioner

[@soundwave6529]

SHUT UP EXE

[@kaij6573]

Amazing grammar 👏🏼👏🏼😂

[@michellecrocker2485]

For a religious group, they had people violating “thou shalt not lie” a lot in this case

[@Shrimple_Wimphle]

Fr man

[@survivorofthecurse717]

"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor" That flew out the door faster than the accused out of their own homes. Like, don't get me wrong, there's good in virtually every community. But there's also a ton of bad

[@michellecrocker2485]

@@survivorofthecurse717 I would have to say that the authorities of salem....I think they let fear bring them right to the dark side at that time because they never thought to fact check any of these claims. It took a higher office to shut down the madness

[@RB01.10]

And of course “thou shall not kill”

[@Iwanttoblowmybrainsoutrn]

Tells you a lot about religion

[@operleutnant7235]

I honestly love that the artist went for almost a horror movie aspect. Especially when talking about the sisters and how they feel like the twins from The Shining

[@Ja-jq7pc]

Yeah the artists behind the making of all of TED-ED's videos should be rewarded.

[@pandabear1136]

@@Ja-jq7pc I know right

[@Madhattersinjeans]

​@@Ja-jq7pc Perhaps some kind of currency or gold?

[@PrimmyRosie]

oʇɐʇod ʋɐɯnɥ ɐ ikr this animation is so beautiful!!!

[@Rokaize]

Athena’s Book Store Have you seen the one on Macbeth? Incredible animation in that one

[@jjlikestea4815]

A random person: I’m not a witch! The whole town: that’s exactly what a witch would say

[@AydenGraceMusic]

I know right?? Like if they say they’re a witch that means they aren’t???

[@lukadjordjevic2576]

I mean like just weight them and see if their weight is the same as ofa duck

[@ceceoneill2517]

But it's also what a not witch would say

[@NoyoRai_]

Town: Post role and will. Random person: Medium, N1: nobody dead Town: yep definitely a witch, lynch! *Dead person really was medium* Town: tarnation!

[@kaiaaspen5408]

Noyo Rai I do ToL instead of ToS but I thought of the same idea haha

[@LunarBlossom-YueHua]

it breaks my heart to think that those children and people they deem off could have just been neurodivergent and in need of compassion and understanding, not bloody witch trials that cost them their lives.

[@lucinda2907]

Exactly. I'm Autistic and it could have even been stimming. It hurts my soul to the core that what you said could have been the case for these victims.

[@jimcolumbus6752]

I heard a theory that this could be tourettes syndrome. But they had no concept of science back then

[@anais559]

but they falsely accused people.... not all of them were so innocent.

[@blehblblehbl7535]

well. abigail was one of the first to accuse goody proctor on PURPOSE to sleep with john proctor

[@FaeMagic]

Not to mention women of color and low status.

[@mamacito1795]

Kids then: We are being bewitched! The authorities: We believe you, kill the witches!!! Kids later: we are being abused by powerful people Authorities: No you're not, shut up Humans have issues finding balance

[@bearthezooescapee2439]

Well actually the powerful people used the SWT to get what they wanted back then too

[@sehaj2006]

LMAOO

[@offnyny]

this is so true omg

[@theplumscrub1627]

Can you blame them? Of course the authorities won’t listen when you’re saying to the authorities that you’re being abused by the authorities.

[@theplumscrub1627]

Of course the authorities won’t listen when you’re saying to the authorities that you’re being abused by the authorities.

[@mohasahal1771]

Everyone gangsta till the governor's wife is accused. Seriously though why is it necessarily the case that stupidity goes on and on till some official's life is threatened ?

[@CmdrShepard1001]

Those in power had a convenient excuse to get rid of whoever they want and had no reason to stop until it affected them. Those who can see through the BS could not stop it out of fear of being the next target.

[@ayshb2150]

Distraction by citing a common enemy.

[@m.b.portnoy2350]

@@ayshb2150 yeah, but then the pendulum (its a figurative pendulum of distrust and other group injustices such as bias and racism) swings the other way and nobody cares about what children say. and the term children children applies all the way up to like 17 and 18-year-olds who are perfectly capable of rational thinking. Nowadays, if you're not at least 35 nobody cares about what you say putting it off as too young. humans are just plain crazy

[@NeuroGamerr]

Because in patriarchalism your "biggest mistake" is to being poor.

[@curtischriscoe5383]

@@CmdrShepard1001 true. Also good use of words and you two m.b. portnoy

[@AudibunVA]

“Say you’re a witch” “I’m a witch” “Congrats you’re not a witch anymore.”

[@venomrg.]

Lol

[@saymeownow3838]

Wow, you just described the video, nice job 👍

[@kpopscenario1406]

Lol

[@bestuan]

if she just confessed and didnt repent she would be hanged

[@snowmoon7385]

I think relativs had objectives against those poor ladies n venged on them..There are no witches but the one who openly accepts by will n perform shows sometimes.

[@leemurray814]

Lived in Boston for 20 years and visited a lot of the witch related tours, museums, archives etc. The town was Salem Village which is now called Danvers. The girls were playing out based on stories they heard from Tituba, and playing pranks. They kept it up after it got serious among the adults out of fear, just like everyone else. But the real thing going on there was that some people saw it as an opportunity to grab land from their neighbors. Started with accusing social outsiders and grew. If you were accused, you lost your land and the accusers were grabbing it. The part about not being able to prove your innocence and being killed if you tried (Puritan mindset) was the reason they could get away with it but also the reason why they couldn't stop the situation until the governor rushed back from Maine when his wife was accused and immediately put a stop to the insanity. They even hanged a dog for chrissakes.

[@Ok-yd9vb]

That’s what my teacher taught us today besides the dog part

[@takingyourfirstbornnow]

They hanged three dogs, actually

[@meganl.9504]

A DOG?!

[@iceglacier770]

Why did they hang dogs?

[@eunhogarcia5293]

​@@takingyourfirstbornnowWe didn't need to know that

[@lacy9979]

Imagine being blamed for doing witchcraft, then centuries later the same town/village makes profit out of it 💀.

[@musicforyou1849]

it's really terribly before i didn't think about it

[@bdoon51]

Making lemonade out of lemons

[@LARAUJO_0]

3:20 "If you confess you'll go free but if you deny you'll get hanged. We honestly can't be bothered to actually investigate." 10/10 judicial system right there

[@curtischriscoe5383]

This is why religion and government positions don't mix. No matter how hard we try it's gonna fail sooner or later

[@twilightundersky8658]

“Yeah I murdered the innocent girl, do I get to go now?”

[@justsomeoneelse5942]

This just sounds like the US of A

[@curtischriscoe5383]

@@justsomeoneelse5942 I agree

[@iliedimstillinmyroomhiding998]

More like lazy judicial system

[@HH-qr5sv]

Some girl in Salem : hey look at this card trick I learned All of the town : BLASPHEMY !

[@jb0433628]

Some girl in Salem : let's sacrifice this child to satan. TED talk centuries later : let's not talk about this part.

[@wood2640]

Some girl know science. Medieval catholic : WITCH

[@farida.]

Lol

[@enriquepenanieto4398]

Hiệp Đỗ Salem witch trials were puritan not Catholic.

[@deepstariaenigmatica2601]

@@jb0433628 wut

[@iatetonkatsu3902]

Nevermind the horrible history, The art is so great and done so beautifully.

[@ginnyledwell8923]

One theory is that at least the original two girls (Abigail and Betty Parris) were suffering from "conversion disorder." Conversion disorder is when the brain "converts" emotional stress in to physical symptoms (sensory problems, seizures, numbness, blindness, etc.). And believe me, those girls were under A LOT of stress. During that time, Reverend Parris (Betty's father and Abigail's guardian) had gotten into a dispute with Salem Village over his pay. It got to the point where the village actually stopped paying him in October 1691.There was a chance Parris and his family might not survive the winter. Tituba would also entertain Abigail, Betty, and other girls during the long winter nights by performing magic tricks. It would've been fascinating to watch- and a huge taboo in Puritan Society. The guilt and fear over getting caught would've been crushing.

[@hanbigim]

very interesting

[@musiccubed2650]

I believe one of the women who was accused was well versed in medicinal herbs. In general, those who had knowledge of healing plants would have been under suspicion for making "potions"

[@musiccubed2650]

If I am mistaken please let me know

[@pandoratheclay]

I’m not sure this is completely accurate, but on a podcast about the Salem Witch Trials (Female Criminals if you are interested) I heard something about that the accusing girls likely targeted women who had decently well off partners, leaving vacancies for these girls to then marry into those well off families Something along those lines, I can’t remember exactly

[@sonice9020]

disorders for everything now

[@yannijs6086]

Imagine if they all had seizures and didn’t know what they were so they just hung random people

[@subinitamazumder1307]

That's the most probable reason of the behaviours. Epilepsy is what most probably happened.

[@justanotherhappyhumanist8832]

The most probable reason is that they suffered from actual hallucinations. Studies have shown that the type of grain that they used at the time to make bread hosts a type of fungus that induces hallucinations. The potency of this fungus is killed off when it’s cooked, which is why women were more likely to hallucinate than men - because women did the baking, so they were the ones most likely to handle and knead the raw flower. Hygiene wasn’t as great back then, and they obviously didn’t have modern amenities like kitchen sinks, so they’d almost certainly have eaten, or touched their mouths, after touching the raw flour without washing their hands first.

[@justanotherhappyhumanist8832]

Anonymuse Of course, there were a variety of factors involved, and it’s certainly likely that a few people took advantage of the Trials for their own financial gain. However, it’s highly implausible that this was true in the majority of cases.

[@Ruushii]

I like how this video says that bad things happen when u listen to ur kids but 10/10 times in horror movies when the kid says something about ghosts or being followed and the adults don't listen they almost always die

[@graveyardbanana8091]

Lsd

[@BarrocoTarot]

Just marry a governor, the best protection for witches...

[@thezenutz7289]

Burn them all🔥 @ the stake. Only good witch is a dead witch🎈

[@iexistforraspberrycookie4021]

@@thezenutz7289 do u like harry potter?

[@ilikemilk7833]

No reveal yourself as mayor and get a bodyguard on you

[@sophiethesillykitty5838]

It’s like your committing acts of genocide in your own village.

[@brindade2004]

That governor's wife was not a witch. Witches don't exist at all. Please be rational. This is the 21st century.

[@BoogDude14]

Important to note that Tituba said she was beaten into a confession by Samuel Parris. So it shows how a lot of the witchcraft, like with Gilly Duncan in Berwick, started through torture and beatings.

[@Vinniebabe]

"What we do know is that adults accepted wild accusations by children as hard evidence"..... soooo twitter then

[@random_person_on_internet]

😂 this made me burst out of laughter

[@gilla2092]

“I saw her doing witchcraft!” Girl how you know what that looks like 🍵👀

[@gabriellaesposito6467]

Lmao!!!!!

[@gabriellaesposito6467]

She got a lot of explaining to do!

[@storibrown6250]

It takes one to know one- *sips tea*

[@yoshitamaurya5623]

Exactly!

[@bt4043]

The tea is hot👀👀

[@Toastyone1]

Sounds like snitchcraft to me.

[@ATEG8374]

THIS SENT ME

[@garyzou5446]

Ba dum tsss

[@lemon-vy3mj]

This is perfect

[@yawcty6478]

The way I learned it, the children were legit playing

[@pinkgem6856]

😂

[@heeje6789]

I can't be the only one appreciating how well-produced/made this video is.

[@ayami706]

The animators who worked on this are talented

[@Someguyhere111]

"What proof have you that you're not a witch?" "Well are you alive right now?" "Uh, yes?" "Well there you go."

[@monk3brain632]

ikr

[@s_q138]

Ahahhaha

[@lehelbencsik1132]

lol🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@s-m9636]

I dont get it?? Can anyone explain?

[@FelipeKana1]

Great dialogue, but is it a reference to some movie or art?

[@idiotgoddess2114]

Almost everyone in the past: *Against witches* Almost everyone now: *Wants to go to hogwarts*

[@priyavarma9439]

Well there was a time when people were afraid of dracula nd vampires. Now girls dont wanna marry a human

[@averygamerdude7911]

Well not in America.

[@mehmetozdemir8619]

Yeah you guys should also check "Harry Potter and Adults Should've Read Another Book By Now" its amazing

[@averygamerdude7911]

@@mrkoala7193 Ok pal

[@nerdhopper8604]

@edicius Thats what i wondered

[@aleenajobi7428]

I genuinely got scared watching this. Great animation and music to go with it. Amazing job guys!!

[@jacobjohnson1828]

Amazing video. Narration, animation style, and informative content make Ted-ed stand out on this platform. Bravo!

[@FRISHR]

1690s dating be like: Guy: “Will you be my girlfriend?” Girl: “No thanks.” Guy: “She’s a witch! We must burn her!”

[@elvonsarza]

Oh, Judge Frolo!

[@alexeltita]

Cool

[@loonaoec]

the funny thing is that these sort of things would of happened sometimes

[@JasonBrodyForever]

@@alexeltita no

[@Leafeon-gd5en]

@@JasonBrodyForever k

[@tatemoody2816]

oh i don’t like my neighbor me: hey everyone she’s a witch

[@EvanOM]

69th like nice

[@commanderomegafoot6452]

599th like nice

[@katiebaldwin5401]

many people accused their neighbors so they could get their home. If the person was successfully prosecuted, the accuser I think got their home.

[@Thisworldisagoner]

This has actually happened in my place. I am from a small state in India, called Assam. And some years back in some rural area a family accused their neighbour, a widow to be a witch. The people in the village were idiots too and they actually killed her. I don't know the exact details on how she got murdered. But I remember it was on the news. It hardly happens anymore since people know better, but it was pretty prevalent in backward places till a decade ago.

[@kimnixon5357]

Tate Adison My neighbors are loud and occasionally allow their dog to urinate on my grass. I wonder if they could be witches. Pretty sure this is against HOA policy.

[@joeycalogerohip-hop3727]

I live 10 minutes from Salem. It's a beautiful town. Its especially beautiful in the Fall.

[@RokerSMisisipi]

The animation and storytelling is amazing in this video, very easy to follow

[@crimsonilla6550]

*Governor’s wife gets accused of being a witch* The governor: “yeah guys, actually witches don’t exist lol.”

[@V1ctoria00]

Because she was a witch. Like the only real one who got accused. And used her power to go free like a witch would. Just like every criminal who is good at what they do, why would you ever find out?

[@nandenitiwari9441]

People say witch and wizards don't exist :-Hermione Granger ,Ginny Weasley ,Luna lovegood :- Are we a joke to you 😂

[@DottoreSigmaSegment]

@@nandenitiwari9441 I know you are joking but those are fictional books and whose actors used editing and green screens to make it look like magic

[@testerwulf3357]

Jesse Rayne Or he didn’t want his wife charged and killed so he decided to do actually fair trials with better evidence so she wasn’t charged? Cause seriously, all they had against her was he said she said..

[@casda5226]

It was just a prank bruh

[@bridgotaj6578]

“If you confess, you go free. If you deny, you get hanged.” Seems legit

[@keio36yearsago89]

it is what it is

[@bridgotaj6578]

hmm • 36 years ago yep

[@elementallobsterx]

ur comment is 690 so ill just sub to you instead

[@Danielle09419]

Unless your confesson is a lie; should you also confess for that fake confession ?

[@buyukbabamax776]

maybe they were all witches

[@aussiecountry9320]

The animation on this one is amazing, and the narator did a great job as well

[@nestleyrivera997]

Definitely love the art! Congratulations on 10 years mark ted ed!

[@red.ledger]

“I’m not a witch” “guys shes a witch” “I’m a witch” “congrats ur not a witch anymore” logic.

[@sofvpgn]

Charlene Pham xD

[@buyukbabamax776]

bc of jester

[@user-ip5yc7bg2k]

LMAO

[@constellations_0]

they were so dum it makes me so angry now

[@duck_iey]

XDDD

[@Lolzakiyah]

Imagine killing women for no reason just because he said she said

[@mysticloverfairy1]

Za'kiyah Johnson more like she said she said.

[@leemarshall6513]

Men died too

[@Danny0lsen]

@@leemarshall6513 That's not the point. Women were accused of witchcraft and died, most men just were prisioners and died there because they didn't want to testify against their wives. Women were the most affected, not men

[@leemarshall6513]

Mental Breakdown doesn’t matter who was most affected, dont erase these innocent men from history.

[@Nick-nb2oz]

sounds like cancel culture nowdays

[@rainee5657]

Can't wait to show this to my EL American Lit class in the fall; the animations and pace of speaking are wonderful!

[@andreasul2608]

People: Things was so much better back in the days Back in the days:

[@itsnats8007]

What's depressing is that no one was actually a witch

[@pennythefirst2772]

Even if they were it would still be sad 😞

[@grilly03]

A Shn What no?!

[@whydoilivehuh6708]

@A Shn I don't think people should play God and decide if anyone should live or not..... These holy books just teach you to be nice and love everyone, but there are people who think they are god and want to decide what is acceptable or what is not. If there actually is a God, he or she will be the one to judge, not us, and so we should all just mind our own business without spreading much hate around :)

[@sydneyt9985]

@A Shn Dang, guess I'll die

[@Misty-yp1my]

@A Shn guess I'll die 🤩

[@Theoneandtheonly99]

“It was Agatha all along”

[@katiebiery7431]

"i understood that reference"

[@emma-vh8es]

i understood that reference

[@southerncinephile6258]

Genius comment, lol.

[@alexiaalexialll]

i was looking for this comment

[@fz5212]

Who's been messing up everything.

[@AyaV18]

I did an ancestry thing because I was curious if I was related to anyone. And I believe on my grandmothers side of the family, either her or my grandfather, I am related to Thomas Putnam, one of the people along with this wife and daughter who accused people of being witches. He was an uncle of mine. I practice witchcraft myself and have plans on going to Salem with a friend of mine. I want to offer blessings to those who have been killed by this horrible deed. But also wish to find his grave, and spit on it.

[@bubble4472]

Good for you!

[@thomasmunger9246]

Be careful the enemy is very deceitful God never wanted you too feel hate only love

[@rebusiren2821]

Rebuke that wickedness in Jesus name

[@brianlipiano7113]

what do you mean "practice witchcraft" lmao

[@pustota7254]

@@thomasmunger9246 *to

[@atlasprime6193]

“Madness. Madness and Stupidity.” - Tywin Lannister, A Song of Ice And Fire

[@sebastienxhean6358]

"Puritans believed that demons wrecked havoc through human agents" Demon possesing the puritans: Well you're not wrong.

[@Ja-jq7pc]

Hey, I'm just waiting for a kid to write a bad joke here.

[@phabidz]

@@Ja-jq7pc k

[@Madhattersinjeans]

*wreaked havoc. Wreak. To cause or inflict harm, or to inflict punishment or vengeance. It is a personal and intentional act. Wreck. Has etymological roots in wreak. But describes being destroyed in an accident. Like a shipwreck. Wreak has several etymological roots. From; English: Wretch German: Rachen Dutch: Wreken Old English: wrecan -To drive out and avenge

[@duskcrest3485]

*laughs in contract demon*

[@gaydemon6991]

@@duskcrest3485 *laughs in meguca*

[@raygin6581]

Imagine if they didnt accuse that dudes wife, for how much longer this would have gone on

[@amberrichards2778]

I mean, it happened a lot in Europe. Like... a lot.

[@omkarsangvikar4166]

Till corona

[@tiet-hainguyen7494]

I am a huge fan of myths and mysteries. Thanks a lot for making this video.

[@efraim6960]

Beautiful animation as always

[@LifeUntilLove]

The art, the music, the narration, the sound. Everything here is absolutely top-notch. Great work!

[@may3877]

LifeUntilLove yeah this is one of their most enduring videos ever

[@wissledrey1099]

Ikrr

[@youtubeprofile2070]

Probably the best TED-Ed production by far. 👍👍👍

[@TimaMasiuk]

LifeUntilLove one of the best videos so far!

[@yourlostcarkeys3261]

IKR

[@thelensistheeye2014]

"If... she... weighs the same as a duck.. she's made of wood." "And therefore?" " A WIIIITCH! A WITCH! A WITCH!"

[@Spazzafrazz]

Who are you, who are so wise in the ways of science?

[@bruhmoment1271]

Well... Can anyone explain that comment? I can't understand

[@Brian_i]

@@bruhmoment1271 Monty python reference

[@anunc]

Sins Champ monty python the holy grail

[@shubhahluwalia4054]

@@bruhmoment1271 I can explain but only if you get me a shrubbery.

[@Itz_GamePoint]

This was incredibly insightful.

[@jordanfranck]

The animation is so well done

[@gamerguy8261]

can we just appreciate how talented the artist is? and the voice presenting the story? Everything is just so good

[@KyleTheStalker.]

Except the witch trials

[@ramseycheframbojordan7905]

I know. The way it’s put together it reminds me of Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

[@ceannab3778]

Nah

[@asirale]

@@ceannab3778 stupido

[@AugustCc077]

As an artist I absolutely appreciate the art

[@sethalinesl2787]

If anyone is curious the actual execution methods: 14 women and 5 men were hung. Giles Corey, the 6th man, was crushed to death because he would not admit he or his wife, Martha Corey, was a witch. His alleged last words are "More weight." And the last 4 people just died while in prison. No one was burned in these trials, despite how popular it may seem.

[@randompirates4824]

because burning is European menthod to kill witch

[@jazzinikki01]

I remember reading this in middle school

[@user-kd5gx4tv8u]

Damn he really said more weight. That’s so sad

[@andrewamosco2335]

danganronpa reference spoiler alert (I mean Celestia Ludenburg's execution Burning Of the Versailles Witch)

[@2122Hellfire]

@@user-kd5gx4tv8u kinda badass too though

[@MadMusic26]

Can we talk about how amazing this animation is? Because wow!!

[@indian_coaster_enthusiast]

Pause at 1:30. That scared the out of me, and I wasn't scared by the sixth sense!

[@Victoria-wg3ew]

“Afflicted girls contorting their bodies. Having fits and complaining of prickling skin” Looks like period to me 😔

[@Buzzzy-bee]

Victoria ??😂😂

[@kittykister7027]

Yeah, when my cramps come during my period, I just roll on the floor and cry. Fun times 😂

[@easiergone]

LOL YES

[@owenlewis4693]

Victoria This was a bloody bad joke.

[@crusaderiii477]

Nobody: FNAF animatronics:

[@danyramos8139]

I just can’t avoid feeling sorry for these women. They didn’t deserve this.

[@unculturedswine7012]

There are few males convicted but female and child are most likely accused

[@averageblonde5496]

333 years later the women got their revenge. Now the men are being wrongly accused and the poor women get a little bit of sad satisfaction. Elaboration: Women back then burned and wrongly accused. Now 333 years later the roles are reversed and now men get wrongly accused. Brett Kavanaugh and Weinstein(jk lmao); almost every (a lot) male celebrity has an accusation against them and before any of it is actually proven in the court of law the court of public opinion makes it’s verdict and cancels them. The point of my comment was to point out the absurdity of public opinion and how it knows no bounds and attacks everything.

[@acefillet5606]

@@averageblonde5496 tf

[@hafeezuddin1367]

of*

[@sadafrazzak8253]

AverageBlonde hUh!?!

[@depressedcakke3877]

The art is beautiful and the video is very informative

[@maleehasiddiqui4541]

The animation is incredible!

[@violetblue1251]

When his wife finally got accuse, the hysteria stops. Well... you know who in charge for this madness..

It was the wife all along!

[@curtischriscoe5383]

No the govinor was he just loved his wife so much he ordered the WT to stop

[@mikikaito1225]

Tbh, it was so biased...

[@curtischriscoe5383]

@evx2247 pretty much yes

[@edwordbowker947]

This was a very ominous yet educational video.

[@LaceyJuk]

The animation is AMAZING.

[@wuxian3276]

Women: *solves a simple math problem* Everyone in Salem: A WITCH!

[@pennythefirst2772]

😂

[@feroniks366]

Aρԋɾσԃιҽƚҽ.*・。゚ women:exists Random dude:ITS A WITCH

[@albertoaguilar9773]

Early medical procedures which today are very common, were seen as witchcraft in Europe back a few centuries ago.

[@saint1986]

bruh pirates of the caribbean

[@Lpsjojo2003]

666 likes😱

[@christalcachila7469]

A random girl : I'm not a witch Villager's : lie's Random girl : yes I'm a witch Villager's : understandable have a great day

[@GeorgeP99]

Lmao

[@ahnyisbillingsley8589]

I was legitimately thinking about how crazy it was. "You're a witch!" No I'm not!" "Hang her! Burn her!". " You're a witch?!? "Yes. I'm sorry! Pleez forgive me!" "You are forgiven. Set her free!" Make it make sense!!!

[@JackalTheMasked]

Villagers* lies*

[@rajveersingh2056]

Alternatively. Girl : iam not a witch People : lies Girl : yes I am a witch People : lies

[@gauravackerman311]

😂😂😂😂

[@user-qt8py7ph5d]

Animation and music are really good and reallyset the tone well

[@kingerz]

Thanks for this video

[@vtn05001]

As Shane from Buzzfeed would say: "Is it possible that these girls were really bored?" and I agree 100% lol

[@ImilceASanchez]

Ahh yes, Buzzfeed Unsloved, #shaneiac #boogara #supernatural

[@smiller2044]

Viet N 😊 oh Shane & Ryan

[@deiontemorrison1327]

How'd you figure this out?

[@benjaminbierley2074]

Given they were puritans makes way too much sense, seriously when your such a zealot even the English back then couldn't stand you, you MIGHT want to take down a notch. Being a kid growing up in that environment probably meant most everything fun was a sin (ironically even Christmas was forbidden).

[@natalie-yc3uq]

Deionte Morrison i had to research this a while back and one of the theories were that the girls were just bored because the puritans actually did restrict anything that would be fun to the kids. they were expected to act as adults and do school work so it’s really likely that the girls were super bored

[@Silvansun]

I just visited Salem last weekend and it’s pretty crazy how this one event just fuels their tourism and culture to this day

[@joshuaperales3408]

the animation is amazing!

[@TheRedCountess]

"Adults accepted wild accusations by children as hard evidence." The mere thought of that is just jarring. I pity those innocent women who had to suffer horrible fates just because of baseless gossip.

[@cerettabridges7312]

Some still do

[@somebodylikesbacon1960]

The quote from the video sounds like Among Us public lobbies.

[@shadi2962]

I pity the 4 guys who were hanged as witches too

[@capreesan302]

And men

[@chulo9454]

@@shadi2962 I don't. Should have asked the MEN who were burning all the women (aNd LiKe oNe mAn 😒) to stop

[@trixie2032]

*When you’re grateful that you were born in a different timeline.*

[@tacos394]

👏🏻👏🏻

[@teacub5986]

Yea tho I bet the future generations will say the same thing about the pandemic

[@chedidkamal837]

Gacha Mushroom not if they face WW3

[@hideandseek1213]

👍

[@anotheraccount]

Nah, I’m just grateful not to be born in America.

[@cherylsmith4826]

Beautiful artwork

[@monicatatianahernandezgamb9910]

The animation is beautiful!

[@andpar6941]

Didn’t two of the girls years later admit their “behavior” was fake? Sorry I’m not sure if it’s true but I’m from here!

[@fsketchartdesigns9115]

I went to Salem myself and learned about the trials as well a few months ago. I also heard that they confessed they were false as well.

[@harringt100]

Maybe initially some of them were having seizures or something due to a medical cause and there were other kids who saw the attention those kids were getting and decided to fake symptoms as well.

[@chiaragrady5535]

Did you know that the Town of Salem was actually moved after a while? The actual Salem is a town called Danvers now.

[@sethalinesl2787]

@@harringt100 A common belief is the bread they ate had mold which caused seizures and sickness. Idk how true, but that is the most common reason I see for why they had the fits. I see now that it was at the end they meantioned the fungus.

[@raevienhail4367]

Sethaline SL You mean ergot?

[@keimat4470]

"Do you have a cat?" "Yea..." "Then thou art a WITCH!"

[@jas6246]

*uh oh*

[@mysticloverfairy1]

“Don’t you have a cat too” “Damnit”

[@thelandoftea9995]

Horrible Histories fan by any chance?

[@nurimaninsyirahbintirosli5220]

@@thelandoftea9995 oooouuhhhh hello buddy.nice taste

[@nurimaninsyirahbintirosli5220]

@@thelandoftea9995 oooouuhhhh hello buddy.nice taste

[@myyurplelis1898]

I LOVE THIS ANIMATION OMGGG

[@aarond4554]

i love these animations

[@josephine8931]

"i saw her at the devil's sacrament!" girl why were you at the devil's sacrament?

[@varra.kamilla]

JSKDSKHAHAHA

[@chae_doll]

That girl kinda sus 🤔

[@balajiyadav483]

@@chae_doll yeah , she vented in front of me .

[@alishba.21]

Imagine a husband giving testimony agaisnt his own wife... agaisnt the mother of his living daughter and a to be born soon daughter :(((

[@adamtate2559]

I mean....it's probably cheaper than a divorce

[@Bald_and_Brown]

alishba nadeem That’d be fine in certain situations, like if she’s a murderer or raptist.

[@hearts4viviii]

@@adamtate2559 but its far worse then a divorce

[@hannahbg1852]

@@hearts4viviii It's a joke-

[@JoaoPedro-eq3hj]

They were forced to testimony against their loved ones.

[@just_extremely_confused]

"Are you a witch ?" "Yes" "Understandable,have a nice day"

[@itac.2280]

It wasn’t just scapegoating though; they were most likely tortured and couched into a confession. Many people would say anything to get the pain to stop.

[@user-eq2ni7qj3w]

If they float, they are witches! If they sink, well... they are innocent, but they still die.

[@cyrilkhoury8847]

But at least the innocents are sure to go to heaven!

[@ladosdominik1506]

Sorry to be a ruining of the fun, but if we look at the facts, this is one of the two extreme examples of witchhunts in the USA which is a surprisingly low number compared to the world. And funnily enough, the ones first to step up against this extremist were the Puritan higher-ups outside of Salem. But other then these little facts it was a fun video. And the joke was hilarious.

[@Warrka4]

@@Makaneek5060 Then they are a duck and ducks float so then they must be a witch!

[@marrrimarti23456]

@@Makaneek5060 I think that they were tied or they were put into a bag

[@Cye_Pie]

​@@ladosdominik1506 I bet you're fun at parties.

[@aspenthelopeared-rescue5416]

ok everybody talking about the video but can we just appreciate how good the animation is?

[@jvigel2101]

96 likes lol lets switch those digits

[@rebeccam2176]

Right!

[@olivia._.l7659]

ikr

[@nachiketsharma4507]

Are you new to ted ed?

[@reshma5976]

100 percenr

[@blue2134]

I still cannot believe this happened

[@oldcartoons7094]

Wow! What an animation!👏

[@shamoonsaqib]

How ironic that when a renowned minister's lady was accused, 'brain damage' notion was introduced and trials were suspended tsk tsk

[@waldendgreat9274]

So u want this madness to have continued instead??

[@shamoonsaqib]

@@waldendgreat9274 the opposite actually.

[@darkraven5106]

Add that to the list of Times Political Corruption actually was Good

[@aoli8142]

Because the trials weren't carried out by central authority, but by the locals. So before they were involved the governors and ministers didn't care.

[@hanhong2267]

@@waldendgreat9274 I don't think that's what they meant, rather it's pointing out the hypocrisy and double standards of the authorities regarding the trials.

[@anishaakther4116]

I adore how unapologetically frightening the animation is in this video. The mass hysteria that so quickly overwhelmed a community is a sentiment that echoes much too familiarly to be of comfort in this day and age.

[@osmosisjones4912]

The Salem witch trials are a caughtionary tale . Yet we have the Metoo Movement

[@edwinparson346]

PietreADI , I see two standards established, two trials, two parties, two juries... sounds like a witch trial "to me".

[@osmosisjones4912]

@PietreADI no I will not be silenced unless you make silent

[@typhlosionisbest]

@Coelophysis Perpetrators aren't thrown in jail until found guilty. How the general public feels has nothing to do with it.

[@NotAbiRose]

I researched this for school and I actually enjoyed it!

[@missyureiii]

The art style is so good tho 😩💕

[@lisamontoya7251]

A random person in village : I SAW A WITCH DOING WITCHCRAFT!!! "Witch doing witchcraft": *making waffles*

[@tungstendioxide3055]

Honestly that's how modern witchcraft is actually is. You add herbs to your food for certain effects (pepper for protection, cinnamon for money etc.) and stir in a shape of symbols called sigils.

[@HennessyDaydream]

Tungsten Dioxide exactly!

[@jas3335]

@@tungstendioxide3055 yup !!!!

[@suprisebuttsecksspy5958]

*Imagine isekai wa smartphone protagonist isekaid in witch salem world instead fantasy world* Protagonist: *shows video on his smartphone* People: he's witch!!!! But impossible because he was a man!!!!!

[@Michael-tf7hw]

It should be sandwitches, dam that was corny

[@HessBenteTres]

The animators outdid themselves again.

[@VoidFishton]

No comment?

[@_TRB_]

​@@VoidFishton¿No father?

[@VoidFishton]

@@_TRB_ 😂

[@Pokin0m_]

Y’all all I kept thinking about how good the animation,vocals,and music is OMG