The European Witch Craze started roughly during conclusion of the 15th century and peaked during the first half of the seventeenth century. The belief that certain individuals were sinful and had the power of the devil within them came about during the Catholic and Protestant Reformations. Three leading reasons behind the witch-hunts could have been: religious as well as political reasons, personal economic gains, and the social and economic status of the accused. .
The Reformation added a new context to the witch hunts. During the 16th century, Martin Luther proposed radical changes to the Catholic Church system, in an attempt to rid some of the hypocrisy he felt that the Church represented. It was out of this that Protestantism was born. This newly revised Christianity focused more on the individual achieving moral perfection, while Catholicism tended to focus more on the family. The takeover of Protestantism led to a breakdown of the community system. This resulted in social turmoil, where the people who couldn't care for themselves, such as the needy and the young, were left without any support. The witch hunts then became a way for transferring the guilt left over from not helping others in the community. It was easier to accuse them of witchcraft than to face their own shame. .
"Presently cryeth out of some poor innocent neighbour that he or she hath bewitched him. For, saith he, such an old man or woman came lately to my door and desired some relief, and I denied it, and God forgive me, my heart did rise against her.and presently my child, my wife, myself, my horse, my cow, my sheep, my sow, my hog, my dog, my cat, or somewhat, was thus and thus handled in such a strange manner, as I dare swear she is a witch, or else how should these things be (A. 3)".
The story of Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orleans, is a good example of what motivated many accusations of witchcraft over the centuries.