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Everyone in those times was highly religious, so they persecuted people who studied the occult. Not everyone that was persecuted was guilty. After the first people started the accusing, other people accused each other to remain "safe" from persecution. A great book that is related to this question is the Crucible. It's actually a play, but can be read like a book.

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16y ago
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6mo ago

In the seventeenth century, people believed that witches had made a pact with the devil and possessed supernatural powers to harm others. This fear of witches was heightened by religious beliefs and the prevailing social and political conditions, such as the Protestant Reformation and the Thirty Years' War. The lack of scientific understanding and the scapegoating of marginalized individuals, particularly women, also contributed to the fear and persecution of witches.

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Q: Why were people afraid of witches in the seventeenth century?
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What did British people believe about witches in the 17th century eg. evil and superstitous?

British people in the 17th century sometimes held the superstitious beliefs that someone could become possessed by the devil. They did not believe that these people were responsible for their actions. Those who made a pact with the devil however were considered to be evil and witches.


How did people test for witches in the seventeenth century?

I think people strapped the person who was being accused to a chair. Then, the people who were accusing the "witch" would put the chair underwater for long periods of time. Then the chair would be brought up from the water. If the "witch" was dead, then it would turn out that the person wasn't a witch. If the person survived, he/she would probably be hanged or stoned to death because they were a witch and did witchcraft. If you look up "Salem Witchcraft" or something like that, I'm sure you'll find something. Hope this helped!


What changes happened in Salem in the 17th century during the Witch hunts?

People who were pagans, wiccans or did witchcraft went underground, and that's why now days you come across people who don't even know what paganism or wicca is and also believe witches and witchcraft is not real. Whereas paganism was there in the VERY beginning so then shouldn't it be more out there? it isn't because of the burning times. Although now Salem is a place where a lot of wiccans, witches and pagans live, they've made it their home, since the burning times died out and more open minded, reasonable people came around.


Who were the Dukes of York during seventeenth century?

Answer: There were two people styled Duke of York in the 17th century: Charles Stuart, until he became King Charles I of Great Britain in 1625. James Stuart, from birth (1633) until he became King James II of Great Britain in 1685.


What did 17th century witches wear?

Those accused of witchcraft during the 17th century witch trials were all people from the low class. They would have worn dingy dresses that they hand made.

Related questions

Who created the kilt?

people from the seventeenth century.


Why people afraid of witches in the 16th and 17th centuries?

because witches were very scary then people didnt think witches were very nice


What were the majority of people in russia in the sixteenth and seventeenth century?

i have no ieada


What does c17th mean?

The seventeenth Century (ie 1600 to 1699). People use the little c for century


What country had the greatest number of people emigrating in the seventeenth century?

The country that had the greatest number of people emigrating in the seventeenth century was England. Many English people left their homeland in search of better economic opportunities, religious freedom, and adventure.


During the seventeenth century the population of Europe grew about to one million people?

true


During he seventeenth century the population of Europe grew to about one million people?

True


During the seventeenth century the population of Europe grew to about one million people.?

True


During the seventeenth century the population of Europe grew to about one million people?

True


What were the 17th century people of England scared of?

witches and the spanish armada


What was Shakespeares attitude to witches and the supernatural?

In Shakespeare's time, certain people were really frightened of witches and believed that they were a clear and present danger to their country. The history of the Salem Witch Trials is an example of this kind of fear, which was only starting in Shakespeare's day. Throughout the seventeenth century, fundamentalist religion became very powerful in England and even overthrew the monarchy, and it is religious fundamentalists who generally are frightened of witches.


How did people feel about witches?

There have always been mixed feelings about witches. Down through history, people have been afraid of witches and worried that they had power to harm them. People have also sought out witches for cures and magic spells, though. So they loved and hated them, just as in today's world.