Witchcraft, Weather and Economic Growth in Renaissance Europe
@article{Oster2004WitchcraftWA, title={Witchcraft, Weather and Economic Growth in Renaissance Europe}, author={Emily F. Oster}, journal={European Economics eJournal}, year={2004} }
In the period between 1300 and 1800 as many as one million people were executed in Europe for the crime of witchcraft. Although a variety of theories about the witch-hunts have been put forward over time, little has been said about the possibility that the witch-hunts were motivated by a desire for vengeance in a time of misfortune. This paper connects the witch-hunts in Europe with deteriorating weather and slow economic growth during this period. The most intense period of witch-hunting…
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