Explain him the witch-hunt years were a time of "general revenge"

Much of the witch hunts were really just neighbours settling scores with each other. Putnam coveted Giles's land. Abigail wanted to get back at Elizabeth Proctor... In the end the witch hunts are used as a free for all for people to get back at each other for trivial matters unrelated to witchcraft.

Because of the witchcraft hysteria during this period of time, people used this accusation to ruin someone they may have wanted revenge against. The accusation of witchcraft generally meant a sentence of death.