Different witch hunts often have several common features:
- They involve unjust persecution and the conviction or punishment of people based on unfounded accusations, often leading to innocent people being targeted alongside any who might be guilty or suspected.
- They arise out of a mixture of irrational fear, social hysteria, and scapegoating , frequently in contexts of social, economic, or political turmoil or crisis.
- They are driven by fear of witchcraft as associated with the Devil, heresy, or malevolent sorcery , with beliefs in witches having supernatural powers and committing acts like pacts with the Devil or harmful magic.
- Physical traits or unusual features such as moles, birthmarks, red hair, or extra digits have historically been used as signs to accuse individuals of witchcraft.
- They typically reflect deeper societal anxieties, including misogyny or social control , since many accused were marginalized groups, particularly poor or isolated women, but not exclusively so.
- Confessions were often obtained by torture, and accusations could stem from local feuds, grudges, or the desire to explain misfortunes such as crop failure or disease.
In summary, witch hunts commonly share themes of fear-driven, unjust persecution based on superstition and social anxieties, often resulting in tragic consequences for the accused.
