Other Causes of Crisis 1 Wars caused bankruptcy

Other Causes of Crisis… • 1. Wars caused bankruptcy and inflation (rise in prices) for some in Europe…

– Riches from the new world were pivotal for Spanish dominance

• From 15301800, $6 -8 billion in gold and silver were mined in the Spanish American colonies

• However, for the long-term, Spain’s “boom” in wealth actually hurt the nation’s development for the long run

• 2. Another “crisis” in Europe (1500 s-1600 s) involved religious zeal in hunting for heretics…particularly witches

• Main causes: – The emergence of Protestants upset the stable world view (hyper-suspiciousness) – Belief that a devil exists – Belief in magic for both good and evil – Misbeliefs about women in general – Disease outbreak or natural disaster

– About 110, 000 people were brought to trial • Suspected 48% resulted in execution (unsure)

– Those most often accused were the poor or “odd” • 75 -80% were women

– Under intense torture, accused witches usually confessed to numerous “practices” Both Protestants and Catholics persecuted “witches”

– Trials began to die out in the late 1600 s as attitudes and politics changed • People grew less superstitious/believing • People desired more physical proof

• 3. Conflict over power in government – The English Revolution

• The king of England believed in something called the “divine right of kings”

• …But Parliament did not so existed for about 40 -80 years

• By 1689, a Bill of Rights had been established that set forth the rights of Parliament and ultimately create a limited monarchy

• Most of Europe, however, didn’t like this idea of a limited monarchy… …this resulted in the growth of absolutism