How Witch-Hunting Spread On 15th Century

Between the 15th and 18th centuries, a staggering 40,000 to 60,000 people were executed for witchcraft, a crime defined by Christianity as making a pact with the devil. And a big reason why was the invention of the printing press.

When Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press in the 15th century, he opened the door to a new era of information sharing, where ideas could travel much faster. One of those ideas came with the publication of the "Malleus Maleficarum," or "Hammer of Witches," in 1487. This book, written by two German monks, changed perception among Christians from witchcraft, seen as mere pagan superstition, to a dire threat to Christian society. This perceived menace, propelled by the new power of the printed word, gradually seeped into society's collective consciousness.

Over the next few centuries, it blossomed into full-blown hysteria, a phenomenon that reached a fever pitch in late 17th century America, embodied by the Salem Witch Trials. Over 200 individuals were accused of witchcraft, and a court declared 30 of them guilty, with 19 being hanged. But when the trials suddenly stopped, it showed people were starting to see how silly and cruel they were. Many more people might have been killed if this didn't happen.

The Enlightenment period that came in the 18th century helped reduce the belief that witches existed. It's a stark reminder that innovations, even those with immense potential for good, can fuel harm if used thoughtlessly. As we continue to innovate and create, we must strive to harness our tools for the betterment of all, lest history's darker chapters repeat themselves.

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