a) Bridget Bishop

Bridget Bishop was the first woman tried and executed for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692. Her trial marked the beginning of the infamous Salem Witch Trials, a dark chapter in American history. Bishop was accused of witchcraft, a charge fueled by mass hysteria, religious extremism, and personal vendettas. Her execution set a precedent, leading to a series of trials and executions in Salem based on flimsy evidence and moral panic, highlighting the dangers of unchecked mass hysteria and judicial overreach.