The witch trials resulted in the deaths of numerous innocent individuals, including Proctor himself. If he had confessed, it is possible that the hysteria would have started to unravel, leading to a halt in executions and preventing further loss of life(Insert text evidence from the crucible of what John Proctor could have done to end the hysteria in Salem
One possibility of what John Proctor could have done to end the hysteria in Salem is seen in Act IV of "The Crucible" when he is pressured to confess to witchcraft in order to save his own life. However, Proctor ultimately chooses to maintain his integrity and refuses to falsely confess. In a moment of desperation, he considers confessing but realizes the true consequences of betraying his morals:
Danforth: "You will give me your honest confession in my hand, or I cannot keep you from the rope. Which way do you go, Mister? … Will you confess yourself befouled with Hell, or do you keep that black allegiance yet? What say you?"
Proctor: “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!”
By choosing to uphold his integrity and refusing to confess to something he did not do, Proctor ultimately sacrifices his life but maintains his moral integrity. This moment was a missed opportunity for Proctor to potentially end the hysteria in Salem by confessing and possibly sparking a chain reaction of truth-telling that could have unraveled the accusations of witchcraft.