Emily Byford
AP European History
Mr. Ehrean
Research Paper

Witch Craze DBQ

During the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries in Europe, the persecution of of individuals as witches was common. Witches were persecuted in most of Europe, and trials were held anywhere from Germany to France. At least 100,000 accused witches were put on trial. People were persecuted for reasons such as differences in social class or gender. Others were put on trial because of a personal disagreement or conflict with an accuser. Still, others were accused because numerous people hoped to gain wealth from the prosecution. The persecution of people as witches in Europe was widely based on personal matters. A difference in the way someone looked or acted made some people question if he or she practiced sorcery. This is stated by W. Fulbecke in 1618. He expressed that the elderly were not a wholesome and virtuous group of people, and as they aged, they purposefully spreaded the disease of malevolence to society. "The bodies of aged persons are impure... they use their very breath and their sight... to the vexation and destruction of others." (Fulbecke, 1618). Fulbecke believed that because the elderly were generally weak, the Devil inhabited them and controlled them to destroy others. Women were accused of sorcery and witchcraft much more than men were. "Women are naturally more impressionable, and more ready to receive the influence of a disembodied spirit; and when they use this quality well they are very good, but when they use it ill they are very evil..." (Kramer and Sprenger, 1484). Women were regarded as much more vulnerable and easily influenced during this time. Similar to Fulbecke's beliefs that the elderly were more susceptible to the Devil's influences, Kramer and Sprenger discussed that women were more likely to practice witchcraft than men because they were "more