Ugly History: Witch Hunts - Brian A. Pavlac
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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.
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Meet The Creators
- Educator Brian A. Pavlac
- Director Lisa LaBracio
- Narrator Adrian Dannatt
- Animator Lisa LaBracio
- Background Artist Tara Sunil Thomas
- Clean Up Animator Lisa LaBracio, Tara Sunil Thomas
- Sound Designer Stephen LaRosa
- Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
- Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
- Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
- Associate Editorial Producer Elizabeth Cox
- Script Editor Alex Gendler
- Fact-Checker Eden Girma
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Given the example of the Witch Hunts, how can we as citizens make sure our leaders today only take action about what is dangerous based on sound evidence?
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Emma wang
Lesson completed
We could not
make up random theories.
Lily Alexander
Lesson completed
in response to Estefani Vargas Show comment
Well obviously, we cannot watch every politician like a hawk for the slightest sign of wrongdoing, but if one tries to scapegoat a group of people or minorities, we can recognize that that is only fear-mongering to advance their own agenda and put a stop to it then.
MiJoi Green
Lesson completed
By providing, evidence, truth, video or pictures, and bias.
Estefani Vargas
Lesson completed
We can make sure by watching there every move and making sure they don't do anything bad and if they do we protect
Root 12
Lesson completed
We shouldn't acknowledge everything they say without questioning it.
Mallory Johnson
Lesson completed
Leaders should talk with citizens about what is dangerous and what is not.
Larissa Santos
Lesson completed
In my honest opinion, today it is very important to take evidence to accuse anyone, because today there are rude punishments and penalties can harm so much anyone. Suppose that people spend 20 years in prison, this is very dangerous for an innocent person. Eventually, our leaders need to analyze evidence to decide something.
Brigit Rubinstein
Lesson in progress
I think citizens should try and see things from an unbiased prospective. if we see things in a way that does not favour the government OR the people, we should look at the facts and ONLY the facts. We also need to trust our own moral value. not other people's moral value, OUR moral value.
Elena Pavlatos
Lesson completed
I think that in order to make sure something like this doesn't happen again in our society, we can inform people on topics and rumors that may spread around like the witchcraft rumor. An example is the capital riot. Media and the internet influences us everyday, but is it always accurate? If something is thrilling, or eye catching, people will want to read it, no matter if it is true or not, this is why education is important.
Lily Alexander
Lesson completed
in response to Brian A. Pavlac Show comment
You can determine what evidence is factual by getting multiple sources to investigate, of different opinions and beliefs. If one biased group collects evidence, you can't be certain it's true unless a multitude of people can back it up. Unfortunately biased groups tend to be louder than others and use fear-mongering to get people to back up their beliefs. They did that in the witch hunts; for if you defended the accused, surely you were one of them. Every one needs to share their voice and discuss such matters so it becomes evident what the actual truth is.
