I have always supported the idea that the use of torture perpetuated the witch-hunts and was one of the most important factors that kept the witch-hunts alive for as long as they were. In the 17th and 18th century however the widespread witch-hunts began to dwindle, so much so that by 1782 the last officially sanctioned witch execution took place. (Levack 253) This decline and eventual end is largely thanks to the prohibition of torture. In the 17th and 18th century many critics of torture began to emerge, deeming it an inefficient method for obtaining information, pointing out its many flaws. One such critic was Christian Thomasius, Thomasius is quoted saying "I am afraid that if someone tortures you or me, we will confess to everything that the torturer wants to demand." (Kors and Peters 447) As more and more ideas similar to these began to emerge pressure was put on administrations that utilized torture until it eventually subsided.
Why do you think critics of torture took so long to emerge or vocalize?
What other aspects helped lead to the decline of the witch-hunts?
Great post Zach! I agree with your statement that torture contributed to the furtherance of the witch-hunts. In regards to your question about why did it take so long, I feel that it is important to look at the social context of the era. In the eighteenth century, Europe saw the rise of the Enlightenment. This undoubtedly aided in the emergence of more vocalized denunciations of the hunts. Of course there were always critiques of the hunts but arguably not nearly as many were public about it, compared to later centuries. Invariably this period of logical and philosophical thought influenced people's rationale pertaining to the hunts, leading to its decline in popularity. Nevertheless, for a period of three hundred years, Europe witnessed a turbulent time do to some pressing concerns over witchcraft, maleficia and reprobate practitioners of magic. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post, Zach! I agree with Dylan in that the Enlightenment era had a lot to do with intellectual (for lack of a better term) enlightenment, as well as an encouragement for a more vocal society. I also might guess, on a more sentimental/psychological level, that it was probably very frightening to speak up against the government's judicial methods. During the height of the witch-hunts, many people could be convicted of being a witch, especially, it seems, someone who kind of stirs away from society's norms. And to answer your second question, I actually kind of talk about this in my research paper. One of the reasons for the decline of witch-hunts consisted of the decline of the belief in magic. Once again, the Enlightenment provided a lot of new information and technology that these people did not have before, and magic just started to lose its appeal and overall usefulness.
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