Final answer:
Witchcraft was one of the most severe crimes in the Puritan legal code, closely tied to the belief in the devil's influence on society. In Salem Village during the 1692 witch trials, mass hysteria led to the execution of nineteen people, later ending in 1693 after growing skepticism from the community's elite.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the Puritan legal code, witchcraft was considered one of the most severe crimes, reflecting a belief in the supernatural and the presence of the devil influencing society. Puritan authorities in New England, particularly during the Salem Witch Trials, executed nineteen individuals and caused the deaths of several others, with the majority being women. These extreme measures stemmed from a Puritanical view that unforeseen catastrophes were the result of evil deeds carried out by those who allied with the devil.
The witchcraft scare in Salem Village, now Danvers, began in 1692 with the accusation of three women following strange behaviors in some local girls. This resulted in a period of mass hysteria that concluded in 1693 when the wife of Governor Phipps was accused and the educated elite began to doubt the proceedings. The witchcraft panic reflected deeper issues within the Puritan community, revealing conflicts and anxieties within the society.