Advanced Placement (AP) European History Practice Exam

The patterns in the graph most strongly support which of the following conclusions about witchcraft prosecutions in the early modern period?

1. Witchcraft prosecutions are closely associated with religious conflict

2. Societal fears of economic instability drove witchcraft trials

3. The rise of scientific thought led to a decline in accusations

4. Cultural traditions had no effect on witchcraft beliefs

The correct answer is: Witchcraft prosecutions are closely associated with religious conflict

The conclusion that witchcraft prosecutions are closely associated with religious conflict reflects the historical context of the early modern period, particularly during the late 16th and 17th centuries. This era was marked by significant religious turmoil, including the Protestant Reformation and the subsequent Counter-Reformation, which heightened tensions between different religious groups. These conflicts often created an environment ripe for scapegoating and suspicion, particularly towards individuals who were seen as different or threatening to societal norms. The graph likely illustrates a rise in witchcraft prosecutions during periods of intense religious strife, highlighting the correlation between societal fears and the volatility brought about by religious divisions. Individuals accused of witchcraft were often those who were marginalized or who challenged the prevailing religious and social order, linking these prosecutions to broader conflicts between faiths and internal societal divisions. The other options do not align as closely with the established historical narrative. Concerns about economic instability certainly existed and contributed to witch hunts, especially in times of famine or social upheaval, but this connection is not as well-established as the relationship with religious conflict. The rise of scientific thought is seen more as a factor in the eventual decline of belief in witchcraft rather than a direct cause for the accusations during the early modern period. Cultural