<human>:  How did the Salem Witch Trials affect the politics of Massachusetts?
<bot>: The Salem Witch Trials had a significant and long-lasting impact on the politics of Massachusetts. They contributed to an era of increased paranoia and persecution of anyone accused of being a witch, which created a culture of fear and suspicion. This ultimately led to the downfall of Governor William Phipps and the ousting of Puritan officials from their positions of power. The trials also drove a wedge between the religious Puritans and the Quakers, which influenced political alliances for many years to come. The legacy of the Salem Witch Trials still lives on in Massachusetts politics today, as evidenced by the modern-day Witch Trials Memorial in Salem.