‘The most important factor in explaining witch hunts in the years c1500 – c1700 was religion’. How far do you agree? Explain your answer. You may use the following in your
Demonologie
The English Civil War
You must also use information of your own. [16 marks]

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Explanation:

Evidence that shows the most important factor in explaining witch hunts in the years c1500-c1700 was religion, was that Witches themselves were linked to the devil and therefore Christianity and religion. In this time, Religion, specifically Christianity, whether it be Protestantism or Catholicism still ruled most people’s lives. Everyone believed in ideas such as Heaven and Hell and also the Devil as this is part of Christianity’s own beliefs. With people being pressured or even forced to go to church by the monarch or face consequences of heresy, priests would preach about evil in churches and they were keen for people to remove it. This was because witches were associated as being workers of the devil and the devil was associated with evil. People were also easily influenced by the words of local priests so this would pressurise or encourage them to partake in witch hunts.

Evidence that shows the most important factor in explaining witch hunts in the years c1500-c1700 was not religion was the deteriorating economy. During the time period of c1500-c1700 there was a dramatic increase in low wages, unemployment, poor harvests, higher rents, starvation which were mainly caused by a rise in population, especially in populated areas like London and Norwich and this led to the use of scapegoats like vagabonds and specifically witches in this case. These economic issues caused anxiety and tension to the point where even the rich were becoming frightened of the poor as towns became more populated. The death of animals or poor harvests were blamed on evil spirits and witchcraft because they obviously had no clue about weather patterns, disease or science of that matter. People needed someone to blame for the problems and it was seen that witches were an easy target because of the attitude towards poor women specifically at that time and also because of the fact that they had no other explanation.

More evidence that argues against the statement would be that an important factor in explaining witch hunts in the years c1500-c1700 was attitudes towards women. 90% of all accusations were made against women. Any woman in a village that was not married and had been childless, poor or a vagabond was targeted. It was also a common attitude or way of thought that women were more vulnerable and so therefore they were prone to the devil’s influence. Rich husbands could even accuse a wife of witchcraft and she could be taken away for a trial without question. This is all because of the lack of power and responsibility women had in society as the society in those times were very much patriarchal, and so they were seen as an easier target and scapegoat altogether.

In conclusion, I disagree with the statement. This is due to the fact that while religion was an important factor for witch hunting, I believe there is evidence to show that factors such as attitudes towards women, the economy and even the monarch King James I had a larger influence in the rise of witch hunting.

council members were chosen randomly, and men could present laws for debate in assembly.

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