What were some of the causes of witch hunts in Renaissance Europe?

Witch hunts in Renaissance Europe were driven by a combination of social, religious, and political factors. The rise of Protestantism and the Catholic Reformation intensified religious fervor, leading to increased suspicion of heresy and the supernatural. Economic hardship, social unrest, and the desire to scapegoat marginalized individuals, particularly women, also contributed to the hysteria. Additionally, the establishment of legal frameworks, such as the Malleus Maleficarum, provided justification for the persecution of alleged witches.