The period from 1480 to 1700 marked "the witch craze" in many European countries, mainly Switzerland, Germany, England, Scotland, Poland and parts of France. This was also the period of the Protestant and Catholic Reformations, the Scientific Revolution as well as the consolidation of many national governments. Over 100,000 people were accused of and executed for the practice of witch craft. Many of these same people were convicted using questioning and brutal torture techniques. Many would question this large scale persecution and there are several answers to this question, some being misogyny, religious beliefs and social pressure.

Throughout history women have been looked upon as the inferior sex. This was clearly evident during the time of the persecution of witches. Women were looked upon as "the fragile feminine sex" they were thought to be more unsuspecting, impressionable and most importantly more able to come under the influence of the devil. The...