Final answer:
The English Civil War helped lead to the witch-hunts of 1645-47 by creating a climate of fear and suspicion, weakening central authority, and exacerbating religious tensions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The English Civil War played a role in leading to the witch-hunts of 1645-47 in three main ways:
The breakdown of society and widespread fear caused by the war created a climate of suspicion and paranoia, making people more willing to accuse others of witchcraft.
The conflict between the king and Parliament led to a power vacuum, with weakened central authority and increased local control. This allowed local communities to carry out their own investigations and trials, leading to a rise in witch-hunts.
The war exacerbated existing tensions between different religious groups, such as Puritans and Anglicans. The belief in witchcraft was more prevalent among Puritans, and the war further heightened their concerns about the presence of evil forces in society.