Historically, the phenomenon of witchcraft was viewed negatively in Europe, often being associated with consorting with demons to harm others. This belief led to witch hunts and their persecution, particularly between the 15th and 18th centuries, which resulted in tens of thousands of deaths in regions dominated by Catholic and Protestant Christian denominations. Most of the accused were women, although men were also persecuted.
In Central Europe, "witches" were thought to use "maleficium" (black magic) to inflict disease on people. The Catholic Church associated witchcraft with devil worship, which led to the belief that witches were servants of Satan.
Events such as the Black Death and religious conflicts created social tensions and contributed to the intensity of the witch hunts, particularly between 1580 and 1630.
Many accusations were based on rumors, and the accused were often tortured to force confessions.
Research indicates that between 40,000 and 100,000 people were executed for witchcraft across Europe.
While witch hunts occurred in both Catholic and Protestant regions, their intensity varied from area to area. The situation was most severe in Germany, France, and Switzerland.
Approximately 75% to 85% of the accused were women. However, there were some regions where the majority of those affected were men.
The last person to be executed for witchcraft in Europe was Anna Göldi in Switzerland in 1782. After her execution, she was officially exonerated in 2008, with her sentence recognized as a judicial murder.