Why were people considered to be witches?

People were often considered witches due to a combination of social, cultural, and economic factors. In many societies, individuals—particularly women—who deviated from social norms, possessed unusual knowledge, or experienced misfortune were scapegoated and labeled as witches. Superstitions, fear of the unknown, and the desire to explain misfortunes like crop failures or disease also fueled witch hunts. Additionally, political or religious motivations sometimes played a role in targeting specific individuals or groups as witches.