What is a witch-hunt? When studying the history of witchcraft, it is important to understand that witchcraft was a crime created and imposed on innocent people. No individual actually had the power to cause hailstorms, spread mass disease, or fly through the night to a gathering of evil beings. This was a crime imposed on innocent people during times of mass fear and hysteria. While the legal prosecution of witchcraft came to an end in the eighteenth century, the pattern of behavior that caused witch-hunts can be identified throughout history and in the modern day.
The Salem Witch Museum’s mission is to be the voice of the innocent victims of the witch-hunt of 1692, while also bringing awareness to the root cause of witch-hunts and how they continue to impact our society today. In our second exhibit, Witches: Evolving Perceptions, we present a formula that can be used to describe the pattern of behavior responsible for sparking witch-hunts, with examples from 1692 through the twentieth-century.
This formula is “fear + a trigger = a scapegoat.”
A scapegoat is defined as a person who is unfairly or irrationally the object of blame.
Over the years, many of our visitors have made suggestions to our staff, offering examples of what they feel qualify as an instance of a witch-hunt. There are so many examples of witch-hunts that have taken place throughout history, that we couldn’t highlight all of these suggestions in our exhibit. Since August 2017, we have been asking our visitors to fill out this formula with examples they believe fit this pattern, and to submit these suggestions to our museum. This webpage is a place to share these examples. Within this project, our Department of Education is currently actively imputing and updating these pages so as to display as many submissions as we are given, in their entirety, without alteration or interpretation.
The goal of this project is to give our public a voice to interact with the concept of a witch-hunt. Please note, the views and opinions expressed on the witch-hunt website are those of our visitors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Salem Witch Museum.
You may view these examples month to month, or thematically by scapegoat. If you wish to add a submission, please enter your example into the blank spaces below.
Search Witch Hunts by Date
Submissions may be viewed month to month by selecting a date below.
Fear
Trigger
Scapegoat
Terrorism
9/11
Islamophobia
Anonymous , MA / July 2022
Fear of What Isn't Understood
Right Wing Media
Transgender People
Keith , NY / July 2022
Immigrants
Economic Anxiety/Racism/Xenophobia
Deportation and Kids In Cages
Anonymous , MA / July 2022
Infection
COVID
People With COVID
Tim , Australia / July 2022
Germany's Diminishing Power
WWII
Jewish People
Sarabeth , Newark, Delaware / July 2022
Increased Gas Prices
Trump Followers
Joe Biden
Christie , FL / July 2022
Terrorists
9/11
Muslims, Arabs, Brown People
Anonymous , MA / July 2022
Terrorists
9/11
Muslim
Aran , Saudi Arabia / July 2022
Infection
Covid-19
Chinese American Abuse and Harassment
Izzy , Cardiff, Wales / July 2022
Infection
Covid-19
Unvaccinated
Jose , Las Vegas, NV / July 2022
Infection
Covid 19
Asian Community
Logan , TX / July 2022
Loss of Control of Women
Abortion
Black Women
Anjum , CA / July 2022
Immigration
Trump
All Non Americans
Lisa , Louisville, KY / July 2022
Heterosexual
marriage between man and woman
Christians
Su Amen , Missouri / July 07, 2022
Terrorists
9/11
Muslims
Bianka , ID / July 2022
That the person is going to eat all the food, that they are worthless and undiciplined
being different
Tammy and others
Tammy G , IL / July 05, 2022
drowing
water
sun
Gigi , new jersey / July 05, 2022
Male Ineptitude
Independent Women
Women Out of Their League
Caitlin , Pittsburgh, PA / July 2022
Being Alone
Being Afraid
Bullying
Vivian , NH / June 2022
Gun Control
School Shootings
Doors
Bob , CA / July 01, 2022
Supreme Court Decisions
Removing Roe vs. Wade
Women Trying to Protect Women's Health
Ines K. , MA / June 2022
Liberals
Media
Joe Biden
Emma , MM / June 26, 2022
Non Christian Faiths
Abortion
Overturned Roe v. Wade, removing constitutional rights of women and girls.
GS , Ohio / June 26, 2022
COVID-19
Lab Wuhan China
Asians Worldwide
Michele , NJ / June 2022
Russia and Russian People
the spread of Russophobia
Russian People
Lisa , RU / June 24, 2022
Officials feared that the truth regurding rapes in PA would come to the public's attention. This includes the political affiliation and job title of the perpetrators and the intentional destruction of forensic evidence.
Officials became aware that the victims were seeking help after being threatened to stay silent.
Multiple rape victims.
Anonymous , PA / June 24, 2022
Eroding Right-Wing Values
Growing Trans Awareness
Trans People Panic
Grace , OK / June 2022
COVID-19 Pandemic
New of COVID from China
Asian Hate
Aunama , Honolulu, HI / June 2022
Being blamed and unloved. Viewed as incompetent/undervalued/useless/worthless.
PTSD/Current Situation/Traumatic Events/Self-Medicating
People I care about/friends/family/coworkers who I unfairly and regretfully targeted and made uncomfortable.
Karen M. , MA / June 15, 2022
Trump
January 6th Protest
Thousands Imprisoned for Minor Offenses
Marco , CA / June 2022
Infection
Covid19
Chinese
Anonymous , MA / June 2022
non christian faiths
9/11
muslims
Jeo , virginia / June 02, 2022
Less Disposable Income
Record High Inflation
Political Leadership
AJ , Hillsboro, MO / May 2022
Women Having Autonomy
Controlling Men in Power
Roe v. Wade
Anonymous , MA / May 2022
Feminist Movement
Patriarchy
Deviant Women
Eleni , Mesilla, NM / May 2022
amber heard
divorce
johnny depp
Kessie , france / May 30, 2022
Satan
Pentagram
Astronomy Symbols (note: NOT astrology)
Josh , MA / May 29, 2022
Transgender people
Seeing any trans person
“Trans panic” defense
Ash , Everywhere / May 28, 2022
Non-Christian Faiths
9/11
Muslims
Eva , Southlake, TX / May 17, 2022
Spread of Communism, loss of US democracy
Alleged perpetrators according to Sen Joseph McCarthy
Persons with real or unproven Communist sympathies, and their acquaintances
Thomas , TX / May 17, 2022
Instability of Careers Since 2008
Fascist Fear Mongering About BLM
Academics, Teachers, Librarians
Amelie , Murfreesboro, TN / May 2022
God/Religion
Greg Abbott
Parents of Trans Kids (Being Investigated)
Savannah , Houston, TX / May 2022
Dissolution of Patriarchy/Gender Norms
Non-Intersectional Feminists
Fear of Trans People
Mina , Nashville, TN / May 2022
COVID
Shutdown
Asians
Lane , Atlanta, GA / May 2022
poverty
Hitler
Jews
Kylie , MA / May 12, 2022
Islamist Terrorism
9/11
Muslims/Islamophobia
Siwi , OK / May 03, 2022
Death
Confrontation with Religion
Christians
Molly , CA / May 02, 2022
Stolen Election
Trump Lost
Black Communities
JW , CA / May 2022
Losing Political Control
American People Waking Up to The Politacal Reality
Trump
Anonymous , Washington State / April 25, 2022
Liberia
Mao Zedong
Assassination of JFK
Phil , pittsburgh / April 25, 2022
The Other
Trump
Immigrants
Donna , NH / April 2022
Misinformation
Donald Trump
Media
Carolyn , MA / April 2022
Sickness
Covid-19
Hatred Against Asians in USA
Nina , Denmark / April 2022
People being in charge who spread hate.
Fox News
Free thinking people.
Hillary , NY / April 22, 2022
Going Blind
The Sun
Solar Eclipse
Anonymous , MA / April 22, 2022
A student getting a bad grade
Parent/s Going to School Board
Teachers
Anonymous , MI / April 21, 2022
Falling Living Standards
Right Wing Culture War
Resurgence in Homophobia and Transphobia
Fintan , April 2022 / April 2022
Decline of the Ottomans
Government
Armenians
Trevor , CA / April 2022
People being different
People being proud of who they are
Social Media
Anonymous , IN / April 19, 2022
Infection
COVID
Asian Americans
Anonymous , MA / April 2022
Iron Maiden
Devil Album
Satanic Worship
Ian , CT / April 2022
Ukraine’s power and inderpendence
Mentally Ill Russian President
Ukrainian children
Andrea , Canada / April 13, 2022
Immagrants stealing jobs
2016 election
Imagrants
Caroline , Atlanta GA / April 08, 2022
Police Brutality
George Floyd Murder
White Race Persecution
Andy , WA / April 2022
Magie
Les sorcière cherche la paix
Sorcière
Morgane , USA / April 06, 2022
Truth
Election
Trump
Max , IA / April 04, 2022
Unexplained Happenings
Bad Luck
Black Cats
Tiana , NY / April 04, 2022
Infection
Covid
China
Jennie , IL / April 2022
9/11
Xenophobia
Muslims
Anonymous , MA / April 2022
Communism
Attempted Coup in 1965
Indonesian People
Anonymous , MA / April 2022
Virus
Covid
Unvaccinated
Lorraine , NJ / April 2022
I can't drive my car
gas prices
Ukraine
Andreina , Allentown, PA / March 29, 2022
Gen Z being gay
homophobes
social media
Grace , NY / March 26, 2022
Italian Americans and Anarchists
Anti-Immigration and Italian Sentiments
Sacco and Vanzetti
Dolores , Hampton, NH / March 2022
COVID-19
Chinese Origin
Asian American Hate
Jed , CA / March 2022
gun violence
shooting
black community
Anonymous , Nevada / March 24, 2022
A parent having an "average" child athlete
Child not getting playing time
The Coach
Carrie , Connecticut / March 16, 2022
sexuality
people changing their sexuality
women
Jay , ma / March 14, 2022
Bible/God's Word
Love of Sin
Obedient believers
K , TN / March 12, 2022
being fat/fatphobia
body positivity movement
fat people
Whitney , CA / March 10, 2022
Earth is Flat
Inability to think logically
The government
Jake , CA / March 10, 2022
Rumbling
Subjects of Ymir
Discrimination against all Eldians
David , Paradis / March 10, 2022
white people
guns
anti 2nd amendment
Anonymous , CA / March 10, 2022
Having rights taken away
biggots
people trying to live
Anonymous , texas / March 09, 2022
COVID
Freedom
Science
Anonymous , MA / March 2022
School Shootings
Recent News/Articles
Gamers
Anonymous , LA / March 03, 2022
Falling off tall heights
People dying from tall heights
Tall Buildings with less safety precautions
Thanh , LA / March 03, 2022
Death
covid-19
antivaxxers
Bob , MA / March 03, 2022
Learning bad
Bad score
Games are bad
Jimmy , NY / March 03, 2022
Lawlessness
Communism
Left-leaning US citizens
Anono , FL / March 03, 2022
climate change
crazy weather
everyone
Li , Los Angeles / March 03, 2022
sexual harassment
me too movement
feminists
Anonymous , MA / March 03, 2022
Covid
Number of cases
People
Felix , India / March 03, 2022
Death
COVID-19
Asians
Deanna , NY / March 2022
War
Vladimir Putin
Ukraine
Tracey , WA / March 02, 2022
Ukraine-Russia War
Russian Superpower
Russian President
Kingsley , CA / February 28, 2022
milk
lactose intolerance
anything that produces milk
Britain , Oklahoma / February 27, 2022
Jews and Other Minorities
Hitler/Nazi Party
Holocaust
Seth , NY / February 2022
Losing War/Destruction of Property
Napoleonic Invasion of Russia in 1812
French People Living in Russia
Anna , MA / February 2022
vaccine
covid 19
government
Camila , Neveah, CA / February 09, 2022
Covid
Rise in Covid Cases
China
Anonymous , . / February 08, 2022
unexplained happenings
bad luck
black cats
Tiana , NY / February 04, 2022
Bad Grades
Test/Projects
Teachers
Elijah and Payton , MA / February 04, 2022
sexuality
people taking charge of their sexuality
women
Brynn , Ari, IL / February 02, 2022
COVID 19
Government saying people need to get vaccinated
Unvaccinated people
Anonymous , Illinois / February 02, 2022
Child Abuse
Mommie Dearest
Joan Crawford
Judith , MA / February 2
Sexual Harassment
J.K. Rowling
Trans women
Alex , NY / January 27, 2022
Guns
School Shooting
Gun Owners
Alice , AK / January 27, 2022
Losing role as sole maternal figure to your child
Ex-husband remarries
Stepmother
Amber , Houston, Texas / January 26, 2022
Truth
Fox News
Tucker Carlson
Teresa , NC / January 23, 2022
Restrictions on immoral behavior
Pro-Life Movement
Christianity
Teresa , NC / January 23, 2022
Gun Violence
School Shootings
"Mental Illness"
Grace , GA / January 14, 2022
Covid
lot of cases
Teachers
Roper , MA / January 05, 2022
histeria over autism
Andrew Wakefeild's BS study
Autistic people
Anonymous , everywhere / January 03, 2022
Gen Z Not Being a Successful Generation
Too Much Social Media/Phones
Technology Is Harmful
Mendez , Chicago / January 01, 2022
Japan/War
Pearl Harbor
Japanese Americans
Kiana , IL / December 28, 2021
Sexual Harassment
me too movement
feminists
Dilorina , COOK / December 27, 2021
college acceptance
society's pressure
collegeboard
Anonymous , IL / December 26, 2021
Sexuality
People Taking Charge of Their Sexuality
Women
Ari , IL / December 25, 2021
COVID 19
Government saying people need to get vaccinated
Unvaccinated People
Levi , Chicago / December 15, 2021
white old men
white old men in power
Donald Trump
Grace , Connecticut / December 14, 2021
Not Enough Teachers
Art being cut from schools
Principals
Nathan , TN / December 14, 2021
Guns
violence
liberals
Anonymous , North Dakota / December 13, 2021
death
Covid-19
unvaccinated
Kelly , Uncasville, CT / December 13, 2021
ww2
hitler
jews
Joe , RI / December 10, 2021
women deprived of abortion
texas
governor greg abbott
Anonymous , millie MA / December 10, 2021
paying $7 a gallon
gas prices jacked
joe biden
Anonymous , Wi / December 09, 2021
WW2
Invasion of Poland
German People
Quincy , TN / December 09, 2021
POC standing up for themselves
white women tears
POC
Andrea , IL / December 08, 2021
Gun violence
shootings
Black community
Gabriel , California / December 07, 2021
Climate Change
Carbon Emmissions
Politicians
Chloe , TN / December 06, 2021
vaccine
covid 19
Government
Nevaeh , CA / December 02, 2021
covid-19
getting sick of covid
Asians or Chinese people
Lola , ca / November 30, 2021
COVID
Media
Donald Trump
Chris , MA / November 30, 2021
Gun Violence
Teenagers Being Bullied
video games
Anonymous , A, NY / November 29, 2021
The United States not being a Christian nation
Prayer taken out of schools
Liberals
Gail , Connecticut / November 25, 2021
Covid
Rise in covid cases
Asian Americans
Lucia , CA / November 19, 2021
EA Sports
Madden
Colin Kaepernick
Jack , OH / November 16, 2021
Domestic violence Extremism
Kenosha shooting
Kyle Rittenhouse
Jose , CA / November 16, 2021
Qing States
Chinese-Taiwan Annexation
China
Anonymous , Beijing, China / November 15, 2021
Bad Grades
Test/Projects
Teachers
Elijah , Payton, MA / November 12, 2021
Gang Violence
Drugs/Guns
Rap Music
Elijah , Peter, MA / November 12, 2021
Gen Z Attitude
Phones
Technology Bad
Elijah , MA / November 12, 2021
Heart Attacks
Fast Food
Fast Food Chains
Elijah , MA / November 12, 2021
Titans
Endangerment of humanity
Eldians
Eren , Attack on Titan / November 10, 2021
Following U.S. laws and regulations
Liberals
Trump
M , NY / November 10, 2021
Gang Violence
drugs,guns
Rap Music
Peter , MA / November 2021
Gun violence
School shootings
Gun owners
McGregor , MA / November 2021
guns
gun violence
video games
Brent , MA / November 03, 2021
Covid-19
Mandating the vaccine
People who got the vaccine
Savannah , MA / November 03, 2021
Bad grades
tests/projects
teachers
Payton , MA / November 03, 2021
Death
COVID-19
Government
Matt , MA / November 03, 2021
Police Brutality
George floyd
Police
Gavin , MA / November 03, 2021
Disease From Asia
Coronavirus
Asians
Anonymous , MA / November 2021
Same sex flirting with you
Homophobia
Gay People
Kendall , MI / November 03, 2021
Satan Worshiping and Rock Music
Rock and Roll Music
Rock and Roll Artist
Music , MA / November 2021
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Lillian , Melrose, MA / November 02, 2021
Death/Sickness
COVID/Vaccinations
Un-Vaccinated People
Casey , PA / October 2021
Economic Crisis In Germany after WWII
Hitler Rising to Power
Jewish People
Jason, Meredith, Fatma , MA / October 29, 2021
Unexplained happenings
Bad luck
Black cats
Tiana , NY / October 28, 2021
Pandemic
Coronavirus
Asian Americans
Sarah , MA / October 26, 2021
Disability
Autistic children
Vaccines
James , California / October 25, 2021
communists
Russian revolution
Immigrants
Palmer , U.S / October 25, 2021
Obesity
Fatphobia
Skinny people
Jake , CA / October 21, 2021
Challenging social mores
Strong Women
Women with property
Grace , NH / October 21, 2021
Heart Attacks
Fast Food
Fast Food Chains
Gavin , MA / October 20, 2021
Women deprived of abortion
Texas
Governor Greg Abbott
Millie , MA / October 20, 2021
Gen Z attitude
Phones
Technology Bad
Antonio , Freetown, MA / October 20, 2021
Curiosity
The Jar
Pandora
Aiden , MA / October 20, 2021
people from foreign countries
COVID-19 pandemic
asian people
Whitney , MA / October 20, 2021
Punishment After Death
Confrontation Of Religion
All Christians are bad/Corrupt
Kayla , SC / October 18, 2021
Watching A Boring TV Show
A Missing TV Remote
The Only Other Person sitting in the Room
Warren , Dublin, Ireland / October 16, 2021
Stalking/murder
Jealousy and obsession
Borderline Personality Disorder
Sierra , WA / October 16, 2021
women having bodily autonomy
"killing babies"
abortion
Sarah , New York / October 13, 2021
National Attack
911 bombing
Islam-americans
Anonymous , NY, USA / October 13, 2021
COVID
Media
Donald Trump
Chris , MA / October 2021
stolen election
Trump & Right Wing Media
democratic voters
Ginny , Connecticut / October 11, 2021
bombing buildings by terrorist
9/11
Muslims (islam)
Anonymous , Manhattan, NY / October 09, 2021
Police Brutality
George Floyd
Cops
Walter , MN / October 06, 2021
Death of Democracy
Insurrection of 1/6/21
Democrats
Anonymous , MA / October 2021
Islam
9/11
Arab Americans
Megan , OH / October 2021
Infection/Death
Covid-19
Unvaccinated Individuals Being the “reason” for variants
Jo , IN / October 03, 2021
Infection
COVID-19 Pandemic
Asian Americans
Zoe , PA / September 2021
Covid-19 and peer pressure
News coverage of the pandemic demonizing the unvaccinated
Unvaccinated people
Anonymous , US / September 28, 2021
gun violence
shootings
black community
Gabe , MO / September 24, 2021
Covid spread/infection
Government/Media
Unvaccinated
Laree and Tim , Tx / September 23, 2021
COVID-19 Death
Politics/Trump
Democrats
Morris , MA / September 2021
4th wave
Covid
Unvaccinated
Veronica , Canada / September 19, 2021
Women Having Bodily Autonomy
"killing babies"
Abortion
Emily , Boston, MA / September 18, 2021
America becoming more diverse
critical race theory
teachers and school boards
Leigh , SC / September 16, 2021
Punishment After Death
Confrontation of Religion
All Christians are bad/corrupt
Kayla Edwards , SC / September 16, 2021
communists
mc carthy
black listing people
samuel davidson , North Dakota / September 15, 2021
police brutality
george floyd
cops
Walter , US / September 15, 2021
Democratic Socialism
Government
Joe Biden
Jackson , Taylors, SC / September 15, 2021
Transphobia
Straight people who wouldn't date a transgender person
"Super Straight"
Anon , CA / September 15, 2021
Hell
Christianity
Pagans
Adah , GA / September 15, 2021
Predatory People
Complication of Gender Binary
Trans and Gender Nonconformity
Max , VA / September 2021
wokeness
political correctness, climate change mask/vaccine requirements
pandemic
Maggie , Saint louis / September 10, 2021
Pandemic
Fox News/Trump/Conservatives
Asians/Asian Americans
Jillie , Denver, CO / September 9
Vaccine
Covid 19
Government
Laplacian Daniel , Australia / September 07, 2021