I believe the answer is: The flurry of investing artificially raised the price of stocks
The value of stock in speculative investing would be depended on the amount of people who buy the stocks rather than the company's performance in the market. This would give the impression that a price for a stock is higher than it supposed to be and weaken the stability in the stock market.
Kings ruled with absolute power which let the poor stay poor and the rich stay rich
They were accused of witchcraft. Many people back in those days feared it. However, anyone could accuse someone of witchcraft in those days without evidence. Some were accused because others had a grudge against them. Some people thought that because some of the women were convulsing or acting out of the ordinary that they must have been involved in witchcraft. Punishment was carried out to discourage others from getting involved in the wicked religion so to speak.
