Ugly History: Witch Hunts - Brian A. Pavlac

Uncover the history of the witch hunts that swept through Europe and the American colonies from the 15th century until the 18th century.
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In the German town of Nördlingen in 1593, innkeeper Maria Höll found herself accused of witchcraft. She was arrested for questioning, and denied the charges. She insisted she wasn’t a witch through 62 rounds of torture before her accusers finally released her. Other accused witches weren’t so “lucky." Why did these witch hunts occur? Brian A. Pavlac digs into this horrific chapter in human history.
Lesson by Brian A. Pavlac, directed by Lisa LaBracio.
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[@TEDEd]

Did you know TED-Ed now publishes animations in German? Check out and subscribe to our new channel: bit.ly/3QBTkqP

[@atiksh5995]

Me realizing that I wouldn't survive a second in the 15th century

[@chandrikarawat8606]

Same 🔥

[@eddie9420]

Same honestly.

[@jackdaniels9179]

Me realizing we cannot survive a highly superstitious or religious society.

[@menace2819]

Same bruh, either I'll die as a child from some disease or die as an adolescent by being depicted as a witch, cause I'm an outcast even in the modern society

[@caelebgill4411]

Bro fr😂

[@marvel-uppermoon]

They thought witches had magical power, yet didn't find it odd that they couldn't use those powers to break free or something 🙄

[@couragew6260]

Sorcerer Supreme Fear and Anger tend to do that. People who fear the unknown or blame someone for misfortune (a plague, famine, etc) tend to ironically forget even the most basic logic and think emotionally, not logically. Emotions are important, but without logic to back it up, what you get is your common child screaming for its toy back.

[@herodotus945]

They believed that Satan abandoned them in those moments.

[@samanthaholt2894]

Them people in the Middle Ages were cray

[@herodotus945]

@@samanthaholt2894 this isnt middle ages, this is the age of rationality, Issac Newton probably saw more witch hunts than anyone in entire middle ages.

[@bananabread4127]

Haha

[@dev-ul3jb]

(baby is born) Nurse: It's a baby girl! Baby: **cries** Law Enforcement: 'TIS A WITCH!

[@RA10802]

Hahahaha

[@andronikit.896]

Sad true

[@rotshepherd3817]

It was the church. Law enforcement is not the best way to describe them

[@prashamsagraceshibu1423]

You at 666 likes I don't know what to do...

[@BlackSakura33]

No, they usually waited to see if she is an obedient baby making machine or not. If not, she is a witch.

[@schizophreniagaming1187]

everybody gangster 'till the crops starts dying

[@Gaddafist23]

Julius Caesar or the cows start getting sick.

[@averymarcellus4048]

JANSISBSKBDKSB

[@calthecat6527]

It’s gansta

[@jepong1768]

or farm animals begin to sick...

[@squooshbloosh1029]

im literly dying rn omg

[@Morneisia]

Witch hunters: "Are you a WITCH??" Suspect: "no" W.H.: "Ah, EXACTLY what a witch would say."

[@damie6674]

You should ask the witch hunters if they are a witch😂

[@ethangold4900]

@@damie6674 Exactly W.H: are you a witch? Witch: no W.H: Exactly what a witch would say Witch: how about you? Are you a witch? W.H: No Witch: Exactly what a witch would say

[@StrawberryFeildsforNever]

Morneisia are you a witch? No. Exactly what a witch would say! Are you a witch? Yes. ALSO EXACTLY WHAT A WITCH WOULD SAY!!!

[@hinafan]

WH: A witch! Witch: Im not a witch. WH: Yes you are! That is what a witch would say! Witch: Are YOU a witch? WH: Err.. uhm.. no.. Citizens: A witch! Burn him! Witch: Witch! WH: NO! Im the WH! Witch: What an actual witch would say! Citizens: Are you a witch? Witch: No! Are you? Citizens: No! Everyone: Everyone’s a witch! Burn us all! Government: So, do you all confess to be a witch?! Everyone: No.. were not witches! Government: Yes, you are! Everyone: Fine, we confess to taking part in witchcraft. Government: Exactly, burn them! Everyone: Are YOU a witch? Government: No! Everyone: Witches! Burn us all! *7 Hours later* _ashes_

[@jianghan4086]

Kafkasque

[@francinebaricuatro7459]

Makes me realize how people always want to find someone to blame for their misfortunes rather than accept it as a natural occurrence 🤷

[@veramelo3346]

Same thing whit god

[@dekuboidonut4552]

As a matter of fact if something bad happened in the village such as a famine or droughts than the fingers would immedently pointed at potiental wicthes

[@c.9231]

My friend lived in Guatemala just a few years ago. She said she saw children die of malnutrition but the belief was that whoever happened to have touched the child last was the one who killed them (magically) and the town's police would arrest people based on that superstition!!! The child who was sick would be crying and holding out its arms in need of comfort, but no one in the family would hold them for fear of the accusation.

[@MrBroccoliStew]

Sadly, there are still people who blame others when in fact its their own fault or ‘karma’ going after them

[@ThZuao]

Or their own fault.

[@lilyraimey3499]

The mob mentality can be so terrifying.

[@WhiteOutFanYT]

Tell that to BLM

[@banana-sj6sm]

@@WhiteOutFanYT wtf...

[@wilsh]

@@WhiteOutFanYT y’all are obsessed lmaoo

[@bobbob7919]

@@wilsh I think you're proving his point

[@bobbob7919]

@@banana-sj6sm everything should be under question and scrutiny. No group is immune to group think individuals

[@Tony-kr6lm]

One of my favorite quotes describes this type of thing perfectly, "Hatred and prejudice will never be eradicated, and witch hunts will never be about witches." - Witcher 3

[@garnett2350]

The witches are the outcasts, the people who are different, who are minorites, people will always target those as a "threat" to fulfill their ignorance

[@alexanderartz2288]

To have a scapegoat - that’s the key. Humans always fear the alien, the odd.

[@bobobsen]

@@alexanderartz2288 e.g. women

[@heristyono4755]

"Torture, it does not work. Under torture, a man will say almost anything to make the pain stop." -Hani Pasha

[@daniellae0]

heri styono that’s the point of torture

[@revolverocelot4823]

@@daniellae0 The problem is when you have someone who truly doesn't know anything so they'll say what you want even when it ain't true

[@emmazhang2418]

😭

[@gordonferrar7782]

Torture in alot of cases really hurts. -Me

[@MGP_2024]

One of my favorite movie

[@platonian2421]

Now I know why Voldemort hates muggles so much

[@sepehrsohrabi95]

:)))

[@rose_linniw]

Lol yeah

[@ayushilenka7343]

I was looking for some potterheads in the comments section.... Finally found some

[@rose_linniw]

@@ayushilenka7343 like right , what house are you

[@purplzmoon5998]

And grindelwald too

[@sofiya6704]

"Your silence will not protect you." Me, an introvert: ...

[@aasthade0309]

We introverts would be dead the second we were born.

[@rick631]

It makes me sick to see innocent people being falsely accused, especially when they went through this unjust harsh torture

[@TheGreatCooLite]

Law Enforcement: Are you a witch? Woman: No Law Enforcement: How about we torture you until you confess? Woman: Fine, I, uh, confess to taking part in witchcraft. I'll accept any punishment. Law Enforcement: *I believe every word that woman just said, because it's exactly what I wanted to hear*

[@TEDEd]

Pretty much!

[@alessianorbis4753]

Kind of like society in these days, only hears what it wants to be heard

[@Raviadhonis]

@@rexroselo5060 i'll save him from satan

[@crispyein8601]

it’s so twisted smh

[@Cleeon]

Scenario based on true story

[@mikhailbjornsson1874]

I like they change the narrator depending on the subject's topic

[@316bkeb]

Will you marry me

[@missworld4384]

Mr. Unknown what the ?

[@316bkeb]

@@missworld4384 sorry

[@missworld4384]

Mr. Unknown it doesn't matter , but you shouldn't say that to random people

[@CountryCowboy008]

That's right. Although my favorite is Addison Anderson 😍😍😍

[@sonordviernes4349]

God has created the "Ten Commandments", specificaly: Thou shall not bear false witness. And yet, people --under the care of churches-- were accusing people. I think that is the true witchcraft: accusing people.

[@nopenope7937]

Exactly why religion seems so much harder to believe now because of history

[@laurahenry7728]

Me two

[@rimfire8217]

Their are those among Men who Claim to know God and so Commit their Acts of greed pride wrath envy sloth gluttony and lust “In the name of God” But those sins must be held to them and not on God.

[@ashiquematt3233]

Most of the accusing people honestly believed they were implementing god's will

[@anandasatria7734]

*gasp* the church are the witches all along!

[@RixMorales]

God: Thou shalt not kill! People: She's a witch! Burn her! God: Am I a joke to you?

[@letsomethingshine]

"thou shalt not suffer a witch to live" that is all... hypocrites abound in idolatries like Bibliolatries.

[@ibrahamlincon9876]

The biblical god is the reason for these monstrosities let's not kid our selves just read Leviticus and Deuteronomy

[@aidan-ator7844]

@@ibrahamlincon9876 the biblical God is not the reason for this. Leviticus and Deuteronomy only applied to the Jewish society in order to not let any corruption into the society so that Jesus could come from it. The other thing is that you are judging God based off of the moral law taught to you by the Bible and what has created the base for morals around most of the world today. This was caused by people doing these things for power and using the Bible as a justification for it. Most people killed in the middle ages were not even real witches.

[@ibrahamlincon9876]

what i care about is that he command this monstreseties at a certain time wich makes him a monster

[@imanouasfi589]

Oh no that's not how religion works, people since always only talked about what they liked and ignored or denied other facts in religious books and basically modified them to make it convenient for them so they could have an excuse for everything

[@huntergreenwood8036]

A Witch Hunts video that doesn't talk only about Salem trials? TED, we stan you

[@capnmo6718]

Salem was hardly the worst of any historical witch trials. Not even close. It’s simply the most discussed because of Americanized influence over mass media. Wurzburg, Trier, Basque, among many more were far more tragic.

[@alinasajan4002]

Seriously, how could you skip the Salem witch trials, dude? It was the most notorious in the history of witch hunts, that occurred in America!!!!!!😒

[@51stcenturygirl]

@Cap'n Mo I agree, clear case of americentrism right there..

[@pieretteokon471]

Alina Sajan but, were they talking about American witch trials or just the trend of witch trials? The video was talking about the trend and it began in Europe.

[@pieretteokon471]

Alina Sajan also, the Salem witch trials may have been the worst in America, but that does not make them the worst in the world. Just because you may think America is the centre of the world doesn’t mean it actually is

[@MarvinElsen]

3:30 "YOU COMITTED YOUR ETERNAL SOUL TO THE ARTS OF THE DARK LORD!!! ....That'll be 25 Pennies, thank you." xD

[@iliasberrada5021]

what movie is that from ?

[@sip__]

Marvin Elsen ha

[@sip__]

ilias berrada it’s not, it’s a joke

[@iliasberrada5021]

@@sip__ oh okay, cause it sounds straight out of a monty python scene

[@c.9231]

ilias berrada - I thought so, too.

[@mj4andrea]

There’s a book titled “Caliban and the Witch” which argues that the goal of the witch-hunt was to push women back into a domestic role and to keep them there. After the plague, women had greater standing in society than before, as you needed every able-bodied person to contribute given the decline in population, regardless of gender. The author, Silvia Federici, argues part of the reason that the witch hunts went away was not because of rationalism, but because they succeeded in their goal. An interesting take on the issue, I think.

[@asellandrofacchio7263]

That's such an incredibly artificially distorted take on reality. You people are hideous.

[@mateomoreira8009]

Yeah very interesting book

[@Testimony_Of_JTF]

Seems very wrong to me as widespread witch hunts didn't hit the elites and most importantly didn't kill that many people, at least the ones done by Church.

[@hongkijeremy5236]

Before: *Killing and Burning witches* Now: *Finding witches to curse someone*

[@irishmanfromengland25]

Remember, what goes around comes around! This is coming from a practitioner of witchcraft, you can trust me.

[@split5887]

@@irishmanfromengland25 lol

[@megacynical37]

now: killing and hunting down witches*

[@misterlove7895]

Except witch isnt real

[@Blue-ul7cg]

@@misterlove7895 witches are real idk they are called "white witches" you can know more about witches if u search them. Bye ;)

[@darkhoodchief]

That was a really bad time to be an introvert since you will be the target of accusations for not being able to throw blame on others.

[@zzzlikeaboszzz]

even worse, if u use knowledge unknown by the church to cured some strange disease, u are properly a witch

[@Jordan_Dossou]

@@zzzlikeaboszzz that's sad. Even people devoting their time to good causes were witches

[@sangonomiyakokomi5764]

Imagine creating a vaccine that actually works in that era welp time to hang em with a noose

[@hereandnow5235]

We need those people nowadays, to do the same with feminazis

[@ruislover4676]

@@hereandnow5235 wtf

[@Aisha-ix6qz]

Wow the quote at the beginning hit me hard

[@botique2025]

If this video came out earlier and I would have watched it, I could have used that quote for a debate contest in which I participated for a theme regarding the mandatory voting.

[@youobviouslyloveoreos7101]

@@botique2025 well at least now u know about it

[@botique2025]

@@youobviouslyloveoreos7101 true

[@alanturing487]

What is it, i didn't catch?

[@Aisha-ix6qz]

@@botique2025 This quote would have fit perfectly!

[@takeshiasahi5494]

"Kissing the devils A***" **Literally every corporate worker felt that**

[@happyperson1851]

Meanwhile in Lithuania: Person: "Hey, are you a witch?" Witch: "Are you Catholic?" Person: "No." Witch: "Then yes, I'm a witch." Person: "Oh good. Look, I have this lump on my back. Am I gonna die?"

[@jimin501]

Happy Person LOL

[@deletedchannel6112]

😂😂😂

[@redhollow9079]

witch: bro don’t bring that here!!

[@icommentonunderratedvids8389]

Reminds me of the episode in The Big Bang where the Jewish guy gets hooked up

[@piotrtoborek2442]

This comment makes no sense... Most "witch trials" were initiated by secular or protestant authorithies (like Salem trials for example).

[@jas-hr6gq]

I have a morbid fascination with the witch hunts, and I always feel so bad for the victims that I could just cry. I hope they’re resting in peace.

[@MIKE_THE_BRUMMIE]

It's what happens when religion is given free rain over a society. This is still happening today in parts of the world children are beaten and burnt to death.

[@dr.davidwho4053]

When personalities (kramer) and leaders (the pope, pope innocent) are believed by gullible people, sane innocent good people will suffer.

[@GonzaloWorl97]

Have you watched the film 'Silent Hill'? I think you would like it :)

[@CupoChinoMusic]

@@GonzaloWorl97 Even better, have you *played* Silent Hill?

[@SchizophrenicFrankie]

You should watch The Witch by Robert Eggers. It's a horror film, but plays with the fear and paranoia of Puritan America as a family, outcasts from their commune, begin to go insane and accuse one another of witchcraft. Amazing film, I'm a witch and learning about the dark past of my practices is very eye opening, and I'm all about educating those who don't understand witchcraft.

[@hazmat4938]

How to spot a witch 1. Accuse someone of being a witch 2. Profit???

[@ThinkInsights]

Hahaha LOL😂

[@itsmeshuji1231]

Men: **does a magic trick** 15th century peeps: Oh my God! It's a miracle. Women: **Does nothing** 15th century peeps: *SHE A WITCH! BURN HER!*

[@reagan1306]

ITSmeSHUJI u said it wrong it’s supposed to be the women does magic

[@grilly03]

Owlful Do u not get the joke?

[@greenpeppermint7518]

Have you ever heard of the modern version

[@StrikerCup79]

@@reagan1306 long ago man using magic is like jesus but if women they just say witch!

[@thehappysuma3067]

Nice to see people making jokes in a video about bloody witch hunts.

[@blumelein731]

Non-magic people (more commonly know as Muggles) were particularly afraid of magic in medieval times, but not very good at recognizing it.On the rare occasion that they did catch a real witch or wizard, burning had no effect whatsoever.The witch or wizard could perform a basic Flame-Freezing Charm and then pretend to shriek with pain while enjoying a gentle, tickling sensation.Indeed, Wendelin the Weird enjoyed being burnt so much that she allowed herself to be caught no less than forty-seven times in various disguises.

[@dumb8050]

👌Someon read the textbooks

[@khanusmagnus577]

True

[@bobobsen]

You will never be a real wizard

[@duchi882]

*"She turned me into a newt!"* *_"A newt?!"_* *_"I got better"_*

[@galgar5660]

A DUCK!

[@ripvanwinkle654]

A DOLPHIN!

[@laxmandass6946]

I know what you did there 😉

[@user-ht3tp3uj4v]

Monty python!

[@ClareParkinson]

Well, we did do the nose...

[@fardifaalam605]

I'm so glad Ted-Ed finally made a video on this topic!

[@ShaaaShine]

Rupert Sheldrake anyone?

[@tophat5174]

ShaaaShine j

[@jackyzhu9761]

Witch hunts. Grinch hunts. Wolf hunts (mostly a minor threat). Dingo hunts (mostly a false threat). Communist hunts.

[@MystmaxkinnTV]

She's a... she's a witch. Lads prepare the pyre.

[@OdinMMA]

Silvia Federici, a historian, wrote a fascinating book on this subject called, 'Caliban and the Witch'. She states that the witchhunts were used to weaken the peasant classes for the enclosure of land that would eventually lead to their serfdom under capitalism.

[@bhagyashreenamwade1742]

"They're burning all the witches even if you aren't one"

[@maddie8616]

IS IT WEIRD THAT I WAS LISTENING TO THE SONG AS I READ THAT? Talk about deja vu!

[@laurahenry7728]

True and I really like that song

[@imsickoflifeanditstactics5063]

They got their pitchforks and proofs, their reciepts and reeasons

[@user-so7nd5zl2b]

So light me up, light me up, go ahead and light me up

[@imsickoflifeanditstactics5063]

THEY SAY I DID SOMETHING BAD

[@MaxChaser17]

The narrator's voice is really suitable on this kind of video! Amazing as always Ted Ed Edit: omgosh thanks for the likes. And for the heart Ted ed

[@corvetteguy2223]

The creepy music helps, too.

[@sonoflethal]

What heart?

[@MaxChaser17]

@@sonoflethal it disappeared after I edited my comment. Lol. Sad

[@thegrammarcrusader4085]

Rip lol

[@sonoflethal]

@@MaxChaser17 it's very smart of KZbin acctually

[@Brainstorm69]

It's crazy how this dangerous idea spread throughout Europe during the Renaissance and enlightenment.

[@bnmnsmp4547]

Enlightenment may even have contributed to the witchhunts (keep in mind: demonology and mysticism were serious investigated subjects until the early 20th century). And the invention of book printing helped to spread the Malleus maleficarum. While this book was banned by the Vatican (such bans were often ignored north of the Alps) and the Catholic Churchs top experts in demonology and the Holy Inquisition said it was bullsh***, it sadly became a popular book for secular courts. But the most important lesson is in which juristical systems the witchhunts worked. Large juristical systems were unsuited for a propper witchhunt but in small independent systems, where the judge couldn't be dissociated from local events a witchhunt was possible and could really take a huge toll.

[@cornelladyas1134]

.

[@piotrtoborek2442]

@@bnmnsmp4547 It is worth to add that Holy Inquisition saved countless accused of "witchcraft" by conducting real trials (if they were lucky enough to arrive before death sentence was carried out) and usually "punishing" the accused with a month of prayers or pilgrimage to some cathedral nearby instead of death sentence.

[@someguythatfollowstheguywi5953]

A fair reminder of ignorance and extreme beliefs can poison one's mind.

[@MAsonTRIX]

get vakkzed.

[@lenee8959]

Between the witch trials in the crusades, these people thought they were doing these horrible things in the name of God. And, as a Christian myself, God was definitely face palming.

[@starcherry6814]

This is just the European history of witch hunts. Unfortunately similar forms of witch hunts were also widely practiced in Africa and Asia as well.

[@quarteracreadventures855]

It is still happening to this very day.

[@jozefpisudski6952]

In Latin America too.

[@ethangold4900]

Good thing that never happened in Antartica *Oh wait*

[@AlexChangYuan]

You forgot North America

[@RikXtreme4]

Yes, most of mankind was very simple minded and fearful back then

[@herodotus945]

Fun fact : The Spanish inquisition never hunted witches and condemned belief in witchcraft as superstition.

[@marrs1013]

Which hunt was ideological: no money directly gained in the process. The Spanish inquisition usually stripped the accused of their money, kicking the surviving family members to the gutters.

[@herodotus945]

@@marrs1013 Spanish inquisition was a state institution that was never run by the church, and it often faced financial difficulties so taking properties away was rarely done.

[@marrs1013]

@@herodotus945 Inquisition was generally orgenized and run by Rome, not to hunt witches but heretics. Some Spanish rulers used it drive jews and muslims out of Spain, but the bottom line stands. Those who were lucky enough to get away with denouncing their original faith (often after being tortured as the Inquisition had the right to torture and order execution) were simply banished.

[@marrs1013]

@Jacob Zondag Wow... that is delusion on a different level. Congratulations.

[@marrs1013]

@Jacob Zondag Some decent research always helps. It's like legday in the gym. If you skip it, you will look silly.

[@murkish8268]

No one: Women: *exists in the 15th century* Everyone: TIS BUT A WITCH

[@berreyl1689]

Christian : We should not kill people no matter how sinful they are Also Christian : Accusing people that they're witch so people know that they're innocent.

[@sarahe4013]

these aren't real Christians, they just use a mistranslated bible as an excuse to do whatever they want

[@thatbitch3254]

@@sarahe4013 that's a no true scotsman fallacy.

[@thatbitch3254]

@꧁ᴘᴇᴀᴄʜɪᴇ꧂ that's why there are so many denominations. Because they don't all interpret bible the same so you can't really claim that one version is true and one is not.

[@chungyukling8221]

@@Paper_Frogg so are you saying theres no such thing as christians?

[@chungyukling8221]

@@sarahe4013 yup. None of this nonsense is in the bible

[@yatint9665]

*I am so glad that our modern society relies only on HARD SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE and EXPERIMENTATION before believing in anything.* *looks at Flat-Earthers* *Oh Nevermind...*

[@tommykiryu777]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@JohnSmith-ik8nt]

Looks at global warming alarmists

[@thanasispapazoglou8135]

The flat earthers are proof that human stupidity has no limits , just like Albert Einstein said

[@firstnamelastname7079]

@@NeightrixPrime oh god....

[@emilygraham1153]

Yatin T The problem is, WHO are they experimenting on? See Global Gestapo forums with Dr Eric Karlstrom and Ramola D. Cooking Humanity vdeo with Dr Barrie Trower exposes a lot too. Emily Liberty

[@hsryu5569]

I always find it amazing how Ted Ed is always successful in doing their topics justice

[@cedrickulacz8468]

It's called maintaining a good network of educators and sources. Basically, they put a lot of effort into this.

[@tommykiryu777]

This is why I subscribe to Ted-Ed.

[@1999-Sy]

So sad

[@completem3ss]

The quality of the animation could easily be imagined to be seen on storybooks. A splendid job as always.

[@dandoan5214]

Yup

[@mmmk1616]

Every time I start a TED-Ed video, I click "like" first thing, pause it to read the quote if they have one, and sit back and enjoy, wishing it was longer :) They never disappoint!

[@finalform4971]

"As we teach our children insane superstitious, our children also became insane." and the cycle repeats, until the majority starts to utilize science and logic

[@goutamighosh1396]

Things like this always make me wonder the amount of women who were not allowed to get educated or killed for being a free thinking person robbed the world of such talent...countless poets scientist artists academics...its mind-blowing ..

[@AlaePulli]

I'm from Nördlingen and I am so amazed by the accurate drawing of our city hall ^^

[@sheru20]

Great video, especially at the end when the connection is made to the susceptibility of modern day "witch hunt" within communities throughout the world targeting weak minority groups.

[@mikhail_tal1866]

The Church isn’t perfect even until now

[@Rougra787]

a culpa nao é da religiao e sim dos homens

[@amanda-zg5ho]

As a Catholic yeah I agree its not perfect and yes a lot of stuff in the bible is bs but I still believe in God though and I respect if you don't everyone is entitled to their beliefs.

[@lebontriangle1543]

@@antoniusevan3722 dude are you serious?? UN?!?

[@lebontriangle1543]

lol Joseph Stalin is non-religious, yet his kills is estimated by 60M. More than any 'religious'-terrorist organization.

[@antoniusevan3722]

@@lebontriangle1543 No, well I'm just saying some international organization. It doesn't have to be UN.

[@louisehenry760]

Fantastic material for my ESL class. Thank you!

[@mikhahl]

I wait until Ted himself will make a video.

[@ParaREZX]

in case this is serious, TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design

[@AN-ou6qu]

Ryan Lightbringer also, you probably know, ED stands for education. That’s pretty obvious though.

[@mynameismmandimheretosay7979]

You both got wooooshed

[@ParaREZX]

@@mynameismmandimheretosay7979 buddy must have not see 'in case this is serious'

[@reba8607]

@@ParaREZX We all know that that's just a ploy and Ted is in hiding. We will find him

[@eseguerito2629]

It sorta kinda happened again with the Red Scare. Oh wait nvm the narrator just suggested a video about it.

[@backpacker3421]

It has happened many times throughout history. It is an eternal human weakness - to blame others for our misfortunes. Those in power recognize this weakness and exploit it all too often. It's happening today with immigration in the US, the UK and a lot of Europe.

[@stormsurge1]

@@backpacker3421 Better modern example would be arresting those who go against the goverment in countries like China or Saudi Arabia.

[@backpacker3421]

@@stormsurge1 That is another modern example. Not necessarily a better one.

[@eseguerito2629]

C. Or how religious people who preach non-violence or object to military service are often accused of sedition.

[@GonzaloWorl97]

I was thinking just that! Actually, if I'm not mistaken, there's a play called 'The crucible' by Arthur Miller that deals with witch hunters in Salem in the late 1700s. It was written during the 'red scare' period

[@pyztni]

The ending was brilliant! 💛

[@user-uv1bt1hg4t]

Someone : Are you a witch ? A real witch : Yeah , and i'm Ravenclaw by the way Someone : Can I burn you ? A real witch : can i kill you ? Someone : no , but- A real witch : Crucio

[@rose_linniw]

Hey there Ravenclaw I am a Hufflepuff finally found a potterhead in the comments

[@ayushilenka7343]

I was looking for some potterheads in the comments section.... Finally found some

[@inanjarif1388]

I'm pretty sure Rowling mentioned somewhere that sometimes the medieval Muggles would stumble upon real witches. Apparently they would just use a charm on the fire to make it useless,and then disapparate. I don't remember the source,but it should be somewhere.

[@rose_linniw]

@@inanjarif1388 yea I remember too, it was in one of the books. Professor Bins(History professor)was telling Harry's class about it

[@micow9951]

Does the crucio spell kill isn't it for torture? I'm not a diehard fan so I'm not sure

[@vjazz9374]

Terrifying and angering at the same time, these witch hunt techniques persist until today-- even in our country, the Philippines. This is a great lesson, but sadly reminds us of our government's terror-- but also gives hopes to society that "reason has a capacity to combat" such horrors.

[@clarkepercivaljaeblood4886]

Hold on... What?!

[@theodore23sanchez]

@@clarkepercivaljaeblood4886 The Philippines doesn't have a witch hunt, it has a drug hunt. Innocent people have died, not at the stake, but at a bullet

[@hadikosh]

Stop objectifying male & boy bodies at your country (imagine if sexes were reverse- even ppl from ur outside country will loose their mind too)

[@jeanablao2796]

Filipino?

[@clarkevander]

Sure let's harm a person we believe has magical powers. They won't use their magic to hurt us coz ...oh I dunno...it doesn't exist?" This is the most likes I got on YT. Thanks ❤️

[@TheMozirax]

It does - in minds of crazy people

[@Maniceureka]

It's easy to be condescending towards farmers living in times when only the rich could afford books, and you would go to a barber to have your leg amputated with a hacksaw and without anesthesia. These are times when mental illnesses were explained as demonic possessions, and a misshapen child was thought to be a changeling. And of course, you couldn't google facts on your iPhone.

[@pedrobarreto702]

@@Maniceureka well said

[@moneyinmyviens]

I don't think u know how magic works

[@metallhak]

@@Maniceureka these witch hunts still happen in some parts of Africa

[@elimkwok938]

Mom: Let me see what you have! Child: A knife!!!! Mom: *Witch!!!*

[@edwardxlee1990]

Interesting find! Thank you Ted Ed

[@minhhieu7658]

Ted-ed's animations always impress me

[@zuhairmehdee]

I love the deeper message they're trying to convey.

[@nicolasoke7421]

I love how videos covering this say 'many' or 'most' rather than all when referring to those falsely accused of witchcraft...

[@Warriors_On_Pawz]

What a suitable topic for everything going on with KZbin right now

[@tamohamajumdar8563]

I am from India, and it's extremely sad that witch hunts and such violence against women are still prevalent in many rural parts of the country.

[@onepunchman1953]

I was going to comment this,btw I don't think "prevelant" is a word.

[@tamohamajumdar8563]

@@onepunchman1953 Corrected the typo. Thanks.

[@robinhyperlord9053]

And if they are a real Witch?

[@couchpotatoe91]

We think ourselves oh so civilized today, yet we don't realize how we still use this kind of blaming-without-logic when accusing people we don't understand of things we're sure they're doing, pretending like they're "one of these"...

[@mahedihassan9196]

Thanks for your video I can't wait for the next video

[@sech-mash]

So there's technically the possibility of everyone being a witch...

[@theknightofthelibrary8790]

Absolutely love this video, very educational and I hope you guys keep making videos like this!

[@oukahershel2931]

Makes me shudder how easy it was to withhold a woman's progress in any field she was excelling just by accusing her with no evidence as a witch

[@adriantepes4355]

Yep that's ignorance for you

[@christopherzacharylim8390]

and now its back again, in a different form.

[@IfIDont_NobodyWill]

TED-Ed always uses a wonderful quote! That hits really hard! 💙

[@lynnle7489]

I have to read “The Crucible” for my AP Summer work so this video came out at the perfect time for me!!

[@nevadahomestead8500]

I was thinking wow how could this ever happen then realizing this is still happening in parts of the world today 😥😥😥

[@Vugen18]

that end. best ted ed ever.

[@TheDragonborn97]

Ironically one of the safest place and with the lower number of witch hunts was the Italian Peninsula, the centre of Christianity at the time.

[@alexbellozamora3352]

I find even more ironic that in places like Spain, where there was an strong inquisition, witchcraft was considered a superstition. The irony reaches levels over 9000 when you compare the estimated numbers of deaths caused by the inquisition in all of his existence and the ones from the accusations of witchcraft...

[@TheDragonborn97]

This myth of the Witchunts most came from protestant countries like England and Germany, look for example at Tomas Hopkins, a self proclaim judge during the English Civil War

[@fedeonio555]

That's because it was the common people's supersticions, not the official church itself to accuse people of witchcraft, as the video said

[@organicfarm5524]

@@TheDragonborn97 many of the German States were catholic

[@TheDragonborn97]

@@organicfarm5524 Everyone was Catholic before the arrive of Protestantism, and many more of this events happen in Protestant societies.

[@naveenraj2008eee]

Nice topic coupled with great animation... Thanks ted-ed....🙏😊 You are best...👍

[@elainedong8650]

This person should do audiobooks! I love his voice!

[@jwdnbcjenq9789]

“Arrested for questioning” *BLASPHEMY!*

[@jeffreykwok601]

Hong Kong people is currently fighting against our government to say no to extradition to China. Please help our people and support them to put greater pressure to our government. We wish to write down another wonderful page of history. Sorry to my misuse of grammar because I am from HK.

[@cv4809]

+

[@stormsurge1]

There is nothing to be done, sooner or later Hong Kong will become fully integrated part of China. The only way it could turn differently is if another super power stood up to China, however starting World War 3 over one city doesn't seem worth it.

[@sepehrsohrabi95]

how can we support you?

[@AlexChangYuan]

Just wondering why is it ok for some one to commit murder in Taiwan, then live happily in HK?

[@jeffreykwok601]

@@AlexChangYuan You don't understand what situation we are having right now and the reason why we oppose the bill. Also we suggested a new way to send murderer back to Taiwan but the government objected

[@johndemesa5196]

I cannot even fathom any of this

[@reecheese1336]

this is why we should have a logical brain

[@callmethecommentcountess9329]

Thank you for telling me the story

[@uniqhnd23]

It's terrifying how easily human morality can be changed. We're thankfully so lucky that we have at least some smart people who rebel against these awful practices.

[@khanusmagnus577]

since when burning witches became awful lmao

[@minnyzcat5187]

Stunning animation love this teded Stories

[@bog7227]

Hatred and prejudice will never be eradicated. And witch hunts will never be about witches. To have a scapegoat - that's the key. Humans always fear the alien, the odd. - Geralt of rivia

[@rectic5428]

My teacher made me watch these for school and I was so happy when I realized it was TED-Ed

[@gilliansillustrations]

The Unobsured podcast does a deep dive into the Salem Massachusetts witch trials. I suggest checking that out after this awesome video.

[@user-gi2tq8xt6g]

Thank you! I’m beginning my witchcraft, and when starting out, it is recommended to learn of the history of witchcraft (including witch hunts) so this really helped! Blessed be ✨🔮

[@homeconnect26]

...

[@WitcherGerd]

@@homeconnect26 he/she means they’re a Wiccan.

[@Testimony_Of_JTF]

@@WitcherGerd The Wicca "religion" is made up nonsense from the 50s, ignore it.

[@Testimony_Of_JTF]

Find Christ.

[@km31179]

Surprising how seeds of poison and hatred can be sown into peoples' mind from a manipulative wicked person.

[@acekaeyasmom2704]

It's 1 am (Philippine ST) and I have classes tomorrow, but here I am binge-watching TED-Ed videos. 😆

[@Goodiesfanful]

Many witch hunters did start with good intentions (to their minds) as the narrator said, but as they grew more powerful they would have become corrupt and greedy. Others were motivated by greed (e.g. the fees), sadism, revenge, or jumped on the bandwagon because they had personal agendas or wanted prestige.

[@mohammediliyas5951]

Animations are excellent.

[@a.raniiii_]

The quality of these videos is surreal!! The animation, narration, quality, information! This is actually fun to watch!

[@ashutosh2938]

Damn..Why do I like this channel so much

[@paulasanders508]

For a while I kept imagining me going back in time and being accused of witchcraft. Of course, being innocent but them not believing me. Strangely, it took me quite some time to figure out that that would have been the same as what happened to those people (and even animals). It didn’t quite occur to me that they were also completely innocent

[@Mordoras1379]

If she weights the same as a duck she's made of wood and there fore a witch!

[@ClareParkinson]

SHE TURNED ME INTO A NEWT.

[@glados4313]

A newt? !?!

[@davidthelong2154]

I got better

[@gressovillaganas732]

I like most the last line "but so does the capacity of reasoned dissent to combat those false beliefs". In modern time, many make fun of fake news and worse is there are innocent lives that are harmed due to being wrongly blamed or picked to be a scapegoat. I wish kindness spread more that wicked will cease to exist.

[@TeethAsSharpAsMyWits]

I’m glad that us witches can finally practice in peace!

[@samconcklin]

So happy to learn about the origins of witch trials! I studied the Salem Witch Trials before, but it's cool to learn about the history worldwide.