In fact, Abigail started most of the witch excitement. It was she who accused Elizabeth Proctor of being a witch. She wanted Elizabeth to die so she could marry John Proctor. Thomas Putnam disputed with Giles Corey over their land. This landed them both in court. Giles' wife was wrongly accused, so he went to save her. John Proctor convinced Mary Warren to work with him and the Devil, but she later confessed what she had done. Mary felt empowered by her being at court and was able to stand up to her master. All these pre-existing conflicts between members of a community added to the hysteria of the Salem witch trials. They show what can happen when bitterness gets the better of people. An entire village can fall apart due to fighting