Lesson 3.8: The European Witch Hunt

Objective: Students will demonstrate an understanding of how a combination of Biblical interpretations and suffering led to a belief that the End of Days was near, culminating into the European Witch Hunts, through a class discussion

Vocabulary: maleficia, diabolism

Directions:

• First, please note that, although there is no work to be turned in for this lesson, questions regarding this lesson will appear on the test.
• Start by watching the video presentation below

• Read Ursula Gotz's story found at this link
• Read Johannes Junius' letter found at this link
• Summary: The goal of this lesson is for you to have an understanding how devastating the European Witch Hunts was, and what conditions led to the hunts. Note that the typical witch was an older woman, but men could also be witches. Also note the role that torture played in getting confessions, which were vital to prosecuting witches.