What event sparked the conflict in Salem?

The discovery of witchcraft is the central event that ignites the conflict in Salem during the play. As fears of witchcraft begin to surface, the community spirals into hysteria, leading to a series of witch trials and accusations. This frenzy is fueled by a combination of existing tensions within the village, such as personal grudges, social rivalries, and the strict religious beliefs that characterize Salem society. The characters' fear of the unknown and the possibility of witchcraft preying on the vulnerable leads them to act irrationally, resulting in devastating consequences for many innocent people. The notion of witchcraft serves as a catalyst for revealing deeper social issues and personal conflicts that had been simmering in the community, ultimately driving the plot forward and leading to the tragic outcomes that unfold in the story.