Advanced Placement (AP) European History Practice Exam

What was a consequence of the rise in witchcraft prosecutions in the late 1500s?

1. Increased social tolerance toward alleged witches

2. The establishment of formal witch hunt tribunals

3. A general decline in superstitious beliefs among the populace

4. The legalization of magical practices

The correct answer is: The establishment of formal witch hunt tribunals

The rise in witchcraft prosecutions in the late 1500s led to the establishment of formal witch hunt tribunals as a direct response to the widespread fear of witchcraft. This era, often marked by paranoia about the potential influence of witches on society, saw governments and local authorities take organized action to identify and prosecute those accused of witchcraft. These tribunals were created to oversee the investigations and trials of suspected witches, providing a legal framework for the prosecution process. The increase in witch hunts was fueled by social, religious, and political factors, including the Protestant Reformation and the Catholic Counter-Reformation, which intensified fears of heresy and the devil’s influence. Additionally, communities were often eager to find scapegoats for misfortunes such as crop failures, disease, and social unrest, leading to a spike in accusations and subsequent trials. Other options reflect misunderstandings of the period; for instance, social tolerance toward alleged witches largely decreased during this time, superstition remained prevalent rather than declining, and legal frameworks did not support magical practices. Thus, the creation of formal tribunals is a key outcome of the intense witch hunts of the late 16th century.