Witch_Craze_Dbq

Kaylie Daniels October 5, 2010 Period 4 Modern Euro Witch Craze DBQ The witch craze during early modern European history arose during a period of social, economic, political, and religious unrest. The people of Europe, being in such a state of rapid transformation, were especially susceptible to fear and superstition, much like the fear that occurred during the Black Death. This state of mind caused people all over Europe; from France to Poland, to question every aspect of their daily lives, and in return; witches were to blame for trivial, or inexplicable problems. Witches were persecuted because of religious beliefs, not necessarily of their own but the beliefs of the accuser also, and a third, for the self-profit or greed of the accuser himself. After the devastation of the Black Death, (1347-1349) the number of witch persecutions rose slowly but steadily throughout the fourteenth century. The witches were at first claimed to be “plague-spreaders”, and were blamed for the deaths of the many struck by plague. Because the sickness was so sudden, and the fact that there was no scientific explanation for that kind of catastrophe; people jumped unto unrealistic conclusions, such as the theory of witches. People not only blamed deaths of the plague on witches, but death in general was blamed on them if it happened to be auspicious. A midwife from Germany recalls, “also compelled her to do away with and to kill young infants at birth…a child of the Governor here…she had so infected with her salve that he died within three days…” (Doc. A1). This shows how little scientific knowledge was accessible; the medical advancements for giving birth were still unsafe, putting both the infant and mother in danger. Heartbroken mothers may have clung onto any explanation for such a dramatic event, and dealt with the grief by inflicting pain unto someone else. Along with death, women were accused of being witches for lustful or inappropriate actions. “…Him she enticed with lewd speeches and gestures…and they convened that they should…meet in her dwelling…there to indulge in lustful intercourse…”(Doc. A1) said the midwife from Germany. Although this affair was most likely two-sided, people blamed the woman, accusing her of being a witch, and the man was left unpunished for their affair. Gender played a large role in the witch craze; about 80 percent of all accused in Germany were women (Doc. D2). If one was a witch, this meant he or she was possessed by the Devil. John Calvin describes a passage, in the Bible, explaining the possession of Mary Magdalene; “…is said to have been freed from seven demons by which she was possessed (Mark 16:9; Luke 8:2)…if you make room for him again, he will…return to his empty possession (Matt 12:43-45)” (Doc. B4). The fact that witches are mentioned in the Bible, forces pious Christians to believe in them, even if they would not otherwise. Roger North, from England 1682, recalls, “this judge hath no religion, for he doth not believe in witches,” (Doc. A6) about a judge who may or may not decide to kill a suspected witch. So believing in witches was not only religiously based, but it was socially accepted and expected; making it was odd if one didn’t believe in witches, which in turn could lead to an accusation of oneself. This time period was not about being an individual, but being part of a community and obeying a higher power. Greed was an overruling trait during early history in almost all people, and it showed through exceptionally during this period of time. An eyewitness from Germany in 1592 describes the desire for money; “ This movement was promoted by many in office, who hoped for wealth from the persecution …special accusers, inquisitors, …dragging to trial and torture human beings of both sexes and burning them in great numbers,” (Doc. A2). Officials were in on this movement, using it as a job opportunity to make their wealth stronger, as well as some townspeople, “ notaries, copyists, and innkeepers grew rich. The executioner rode a blooded horse, like a noble of the court, went clad in gold and silver…” (Doc A2). Many older women were persecuted for the fact that they were, old women. The median age of suspected women in Europe between approximately 1530-1700 was 60 years old (Doc. D3). For this time period, 60 years was a long time for a person to live, and it didn’t happen often, so younger people probably didn’t know how to perceive old age. This made these few old people stand out, and were noticed more easily. People generally start to go “crazy” with old age, another contributing factor into why younger people would question and accuse old folks. W. Fullbecke wrote in 1618 commenting on the status of old people; “…bodies of aged persons are impure…they use their very breath and their sight…apt for contagion…to the vexation and destruction of others,” (Doc C1). With the degeneration of the body, the mind does too, and in turn they become corrupted. This man is turning biology into a reason of suspicion, when really; he has little credibility in doing so at all, considering the scientific advances of the age. John Wier, a Belgian physician, concluded a similar theory as well; “ …illnesses, whose origins are attributed to witches, com from natural causes…since witches are usually old women of melancholic nature and small brains (women who get easily depressed and have little trust in God)…the Devil easily affects and deceives their minds by illusions and apparitions that so bewilder them that they confess actions that they are very far from committed…”(Doc. C2). Sexism was very prominent in the settlement of persecution cases. Old, widowed women were the most common target for accusation, men believed them to be less superior, therefore easily influenced by evil. “…The fragile feminine sex…more credulous…naturally more impressionable…more ready to receive the influence of a disembodied spirit…more carnal than man” (Doc. B1), written by two Dominican monks in 1484, leads back to the biology of a person causing them to become witch-like, therefore becoming accused. “…There was a defect in the formation of the first woman, since she was formed from a bent rib…she is an imperfect animal, she always deceives,” (Doc. B1). Tying in with religion as well, a big factor of the accusation of certain people; old widowed women, to be witches, was brought upon by writings like the above. The overall backdrop to society during the time of the witch craze caused people to think unclearly, and make rash conclusions. With the whole continent of Europe under intense stress from the social, economic, and political changes happening at the time, people needed a way to make themselves feel better, and that was executed by blaming others.