- Religious beliefs: The Protestant Reformation led to a renewed focus on the Bible, and many people believed that witches were in league with the devil and deserved to be punished.
- Social and economic tensions: Witchcraft accusations often occurred during times of social or economic stress, such as famine, war, or plague. People may have blamed witches for these problems in order to find someone to blame.
- Womens' roles in society: Women in the 16th century were often seen as inferior to men and were expected to conform to strict social norms. Women who challenged these norms, such as by being outspoken or independent, were more likely to be accused of witchcraft.
- Fear of the unknown: In a world where many things were unknown and unexplained, witchcraft provided a way for people to make sense of the world around them. By blaming witches for things that they could not otherwise understand, people could feel a sense of control over their lives.
Overall, witch accusations in the 16th century were a product of a complex combination of religious, social, economic, and psychological factors.