Why were charges of witchcraft brought against members of the European population in Europe from 1580?
The events that concluded in mass charges of witchcraft against members of the European population was due to many members of the European population being led to believe that witches lived within their towns and cities. Mass trials were brought against people in many of the European countries. The main reason for the charges being brought against members of the European population in Europe from 1580 was due to the socio-economic factors that existed within the towns and cities. Another reason for the witchcraft trials were the interpretations of accusations coming from above and from below. Furthermore, the role of authors and literature such as the Bible and the Malleus Maleficarum resulted in witchcraft charges. The way witches characteristics were illustrated and stereotyped also contributed to why charges of witchcraft were brought against members of the European population.
The most significant reason for charges of witchcraft brought against members of the European population in Europe from 1580 was due to the social division and economic factors. Women were seen to be accused more of witchcraft than men. In most regions of Europe, 75% of the accused witches were women. Moreover, women were more likely to be accused as they were living in a patriarchal society, where they were seen to be weaker than men as people thought women were more open to the temptation of the devil, and in court women were seen not to be able to defend themselves and therefore open to attack. Also, due to the standard of living declining in rural areas, poverty was widespread and the population was increasing from the fifteenth century onwards therefore labour was lost and wages were low, causing the people living in the lower level of society to go to extreme limits to receive wages and a source of income, therefore they were more likely to be accused of witchcraft. The...