What things have contributed to the situation we ding at the end of Act 1 where people are being arrested for witchcraft, make a list of all these including indirect things. For example why does this act include a seemingly irrelevant discussion of pariss firewood.

• The fact that the girls were in the first chanting with Tituba because they were doing something that was forbidden and they were caught dancing is seen as a devils practice and they fear that they will be declared witches so they accuse others. 
• Mr. Hale's attitude which is that the devil exists is that this is not superstition tips the community over the edge as to blame the devil and itches for the situation.  His reputation as a knowledgeable man adds authority to his claims. He is very intelligent and people believe that because he believes in the devil//witches that it must be true.
• Abigail and John Proctors secret relationship means that Abigail wants his wife dead so she can have him and replace her.  There has been talk in the town as to why Abigail was sacked by the Proctors as a domestic servant.
• Paris is feeling insecure about his position and authority and sees the situation with the girls as a threat to his power and in order to save his position he feel he has to deal with the threat provided by the claims of witchcraft. 
• Mrs. Putnam has lost 7 babies out of 8 and is looking for someone or something to blame. She thinks witchcraft seems to be a good place to look. She also encourages her last child, Ruth, to conjure up the babies spirits to ask what happened to them. 
• The women who also helped to deliver babies were already the ones on the outside of the community, possibly sussed to start with as they are into herbal medicines. Goody, a woman who delivered Mrs. Putnam's babies is one of these. 
• This situation gives people the opportunity to bring out the small issues with others. For example, Giles brings out his issue with his wires reading, and the issue of Paris's fire wood also comes to the fall.
• There are some individuals in the community who are not wholly committed to the authority of the church. John Proctor stands out as an individual who will go his own way if necessary. 
• There is a lot of animosity in the community especially over land. Accusing somebody of witchcraft was a way to express the animosity but also a way to get rid of individual so you can claim their land. 
• A level of hysteria creeps in and people being to accuse others just because they can and because others are doing it.