What does a witch look like? Describe the characteristics of what comes to your mind when you picture a witch in your head.

Where do these stereotypes for witches come from?

Started out as a religious dispute between Protestants and CatholicsFrance/German Protestants vs.

Spanish/German CatholicsEngland stood this one out

Cause of the WarProtestants wanted more freedom from

Catholic persecution

ConclusionEnds in a victory for the ProtestantsGerman states are allowed to choose their

religions and worship freely

Witches were believed to be inspired or possessed by the devil

Witch trials/hunts reached their height during the 16th and 17th centuryReligious passion & desire to rid society of evil

fueled the searchA book known as the Malleus Maleficarum

(Hammer of the Witches) specifically spelled out how to find and torture witches

FactsA vast majority of people accused of witchcraft

were poor75% were womenMost were single or widowedMost were 50+ years oldMany had physical deformitiesMany had mental illnesses

1. Who fought each other in the 30 Years War?

2. What was the cause of the 30 Years War?

3. What was the outcome of the 30 Years War?

4. What did people believe witches were?

5. Why did people hunt witches so much during this time?

Catholics & Protestants

Protestants wanted more religious freedom

German states are allowed to choose their religion

People possessed by the devil

Religious passion