Final answer:
Cultural traditions, strong secular governance, and limited belief in witchcraft prevented mass witch burnings in southern France and Italy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary factor that prevented mass witch burnings in southern France and Italy was the cultural traditions of those regions. These traditions included a limited belief in witchcraft, which made people less likely to accuse and persecute individuals as witches. Additionally, strong secular governance played a role in preventing mass witch burnings as it provided a system of law and order that discouraged mob violence and promoted fair trials. While the rise of religious tolerance may have played a smaller role in preventing witch burnings, it was not the primary factor in southern France and Italy.