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
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
Pandemic
Fox News/Trump/Conservatives
Asians/Asian Americans
Jillie , Denver, CO / September 9
Vaccine
Covid 19
Government
Laplacian Daniel , Australia / September 07, 2021
Gun violence
teenagers being bullied
video games
A , NY / September 02, 2021
Satan Worshiping and Rock Music
Rock and Roll Music
Rock and Roll Artist
Ozzy Osbourne , United States / August 30, 2021
Not Getting Money from the Government
Being Lazy
Latinos
Kevin , Brick, NJ / August 29
COVID-19
Dr. Fauci and News Media
Unvaccinated and Doubters
Jeff Ruzicka , Solon, IA / August 28
Wokeness
Political Correctness, climate change mask/vaccine requirements
Pandemic
Joanne B , South Carolina / August 25, 2021
End of hand-drawn animation
CGI animated film/TV
Disney
Jeffrey Gao , USA / August 25, 2021
covid 19
increased cases/deaths
unvaccinated
Natasha , New Jersey / August 23, 2021
Death
September 11
Minorities
Riley Johnson , United States / August 20, 2021
War
9/11
middle easterns
Jorge Guajardo , MA / August 19, 2021
Erasure
Religion
Women Reproductive Rights
Ana , Massachusetts / July 28, 2021
Covid
Media
The Unmasked
TJ , MA / July 28, 2021
"Foreigners"
Sept 11
Muslims
Bonnie Hoffmann , VA / July 19, 2021
Democratic Socialism
Top 1% losing Control of Gov't.
Poor People & The Working Class
K , Maine / July 13, 2021
China
COVID19
Asian Americans
Bess Protocio , NY / July 2021
Safety Threaten
First Case Cov-19 in China
Chinese and Asian Community
Fiona Cui , MA / July 04, 2021
white supremacy
trump
citizens
hero , MA / July 04, 2021
Unusual or Different Leadership Qualities
Conspiracy Theories
Left Thinkers and Right Thinkers
Cathi , Pataskala, Ohio / June 2021
Unemployment
Recession (Economic)
Marginalized Immigrants
Grey , Boston, MA / June 2021
Socialism
Government
Trump
TOM CAPPUCCI , MA / June 26, 2021
Death
The Devil
Bridget Bishop
Abigail Williams , MA / June 24, 2021
Diversity
Mass Immigration
Hispanic Immigrants/Refugees
Amber , Chicago, IL / June 2021
Control/Rules
Pandemic
Michigan Governor Whitmer
Lisa Jevens , Ann Arbor, MI / June 2021
Oppression
CRT
Caucasians
Karen , Ga / June 11, 2021
Politics
COVID-19
Conspiracies
Taylor , Redondo Beach, CA / June 2021
grades
teachers
students
Satyam , Boston MA / May 30, 2021
A virus
News
Non compliant people
Jonathan , IL / May 29, 2021
Minorities Rise
Donald Trump
Latino Community
M. Perez , Dallas, TX / May 2021
Inability to pay bills
Inflation
Rich people and government
Gayle , MA / May 25, 2021
Approval
Celebrity Culture
Social Media
Usman Mahmood and Gaymr , Round Rock, TX / May 2021
Terrorism
Donald Trump
Muslim Community
Madison , Dallas, TX / May 2021
Violence
Trump
Black Community
Renee , Piscataway, NJ / May 2021
Posession
Different Behavior
Autism
Marcella Velasco , Belmont, MA / May 2021
Virus
COVID
Asian Community
Kimberly Jump , LA / May 13, 2021
Communism
CNN
Joe Biden
Carly LaReaux , Indiana / May 10, 2021
Infection
COVID-19
Asian Community
Bethany , Piscataway, NJ / May 2021
Disease
COVID-19
Asian Americans
Lillian Ngu , Melrose, MA / May 2021
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Lillian Ngu , Melrose, MA / May 2021
Crazy People are a Threat to Life
Person with Mental Illness in Crisis
ALL PERSONS MENTALLY ILL. There's increase in Police Killings of Persons with Mental Illness in Canada as an Outcome.
Darren Gregory , Creston, BC, Canada / April 20, 2021
Pandemic
Coronavirus
Asian Americans
Rayma , New York City, NY / April 2021
COVID19
Outbreak in Asia
Asian Community
Brittany and Elaine , Stratford, CT / April 2021
Racism/Losing White America
September 11
Mosques/Muslims
David Rastall , Lansing, MI / April 2021
Death
COVID
Asian Americans
Aya , MI / April 2021
Homophobia/Trans-phobia
Having a sexual preference that doesn't include lgbtq
Straight people
Lando , PR / March 30, 2021
Fascism
Trump
Conservatives
Lance , FL / March 29, 2021
War
9/11
Middle Easterners
Gwendolyn , Brooklyn, NY / March 2021
COVID
Dr. Fauci
Chinese Americans
Brienne , Fort Wayne, IN / March 2021
Infection
COVID-19
Chinese Americans
Andy Ortiz , Weston, FL / March 2021
White Supremacy
January 6th Capital Invasion
Republican Voters
Kaleb Schurter , OR / March 15, 2021
Socialism
Politicians
Minorities
Annette , Damascus, MD / March 2021
Black Lives Matter/Minority Violence
U.S. Capital Storming
White Men
Paula , Bloomfield Hills, MI / March 2021
more diseases or sicknesses
Using sicknesses to cure sicknesses
Enforcing Anti-vaxxers to vaccinate
Jesiel Centeno , New York, Brooklyn / March 11, 2021
Public Speaking
Presentations/projects
School teachers/admin
Aubrey , TN / March 04, 2021
Death
dangerous areas/situations
Religious people
Keyshawn C. , TN / March 04, 2021
Interacting with aggressive animals.
Kid falling into gorilla habitat.
Harambe
Eli Smith , Chattanooga / March 04, 2021
Racism
social media
White, people lacking color
Ann S. , TN / March 04, 2021
Masks
Covid 19
China
Jasmine , TN / March 04, 2021
Not Getting Into College
Parents
Virtual Learning
Joseph G. , California / March 04, 2021
trump supporters
trump
white southerners
Savannah , tennessee / March 04, 2021
Too many illegal immigrants in the country
unbuilt wall on mexican border
Trump
AJ Vaughn , GA / March 04, 2021
WW2
Invasion of Poland
German People
Quincy Harvey , TN / March 04, 2021
covid19 vaccines
coronavirus
politicians/government
Kale , TN / March 04, 2021
Failing
Online learning
Teachers
Mudar A. , TN / March 04, 2021
Terrorists
9/11
Muslims
Mudar A. , TN / March 04, 2021
Gun violence
Shootings
Black people
Patrick C. , Chattanooga, TN / March 04, 2021
Being controlled by the government
Articles saying vaccines could have chips in them
The government
Carys , TN / March 04, 2021
Drug cartel
Trump
Hispanics
Gaby P , TN / March 04, 2021
Satanic Ritual Abuse
Sexual Abuse in Daycare Agencies
D&D Players
Brayden C. , TN / March 04, 2021
getting attacked by Pitbulls
Specific incidents
Pitbulls
Nathan , Chattanooga / March 04, 2021
predators
sexual harassment
old men
Tirzah , Chattanooga TN / March 04, 2021
Betrayal and communism
Hitler and war Propaganda
Jewish People
Aaron Merryman , TN / March 04, 2021
Rapists
Men being "entitled" to sex
Males
Cate Watkins , TN / March 04, 2021
Japanese Power
Pearl Harbor
Japanese Americans
Noah Wolfe , TN / March 04, 2021
Government Control
mental illness/allergies
Vaccines
Morgan , TN / March 04, 2021
Guns
School Shootings
Conservatives
Mason , TN / March 04, 2021
Pit bull attack
Abuse of pit bull
Ban pit bulls
Anonymous , N/A / March 04, 2021
Terrorists
9/11
Muslims
Mudar A. , TN / March 04, 2021
Beatles Breaking Up
Complications Between Beatles
Yoko Ono
Logan Martin , Chattanooga, TN. / March 04, 2021
being different
LGBTQ getting rights
LGBTQ
Madison McCoy , TN / March 04, 2021
covid
pandemic
china
Luna , TN / March 04, 2021
Climate Change
Carbon Emissions
Politicians
Chloe , TN / March 04, 2021
AIDS
Freddie Mercury dies
The entire gay community
Joey Elsrton , tennessee / March 04, 2021
Guns
Assassination
Lee Harvey Oswald
joey el;ston , Tennessee / March 04, 2021
No more jobs
Trump and media
Immigrants
Cai , TN / March 04, 2021
increasing crime rates
undocumented immigrants
racial profiling of illegal immigrants
Matthew , California / March 03, 2021
Bigoted White Women
Karens As All Women
Women Named Karen
Susan Miller , Albuquerque, NM / March 2021
Gun Violence
Teenagers Being Bullied
Video Games
Rob , Flushing, NY / March 2021
COVID-19
President Trump
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
Audrey , Flushing, NY / March 2021
Unsafe
Crime
Black People
Aviva , MA / February 2021
police brutality
george floyd
BLM protest
veah , SC / February 22, 2021
Covid 19
Trump
Asians/Asian American
Nancy , CA / February 22, 2021
fanaticism
religious heretics and zealots
Muslims
Hugh Jazz , Nevada / February 10, 2021
Infection
COVID-19
Hate Crimes Against Asian-Americans
Ally , New York, NY / February 2021
Magic
Unexplained phenomenon of Divination
Labeled Divine women
Alecia V , Louisiana / January 21, 2021
Coruption
Train Basescu
Romanian Politicians And Businessmen Opposing Basescu
Damon , TN / January 20, 2021
Bombings
Wars (Middle East)
Muslim community
Steven G. , Barrow, England / September 2017
Crime
Decreasing numbers dominant race
Imprisoned & racial profiling of African-Americans
Donna S.B. , Cincinnati, OH / September 2017
inability to complete homework
lecturers
student
Emily , Konya / January 18, 2021
CORONA PANDEMIC
CDC GUIDELINES ON GATHERINGS
VACCINATIONS
Samuel Sherman , Westfield, NJ / January 15, 2021
Satan
Accused child molestation
California daycare workers
Witt , AZ / January 12, 2021
Autism
Faulty Study
Vaccines
Julia M , RI, USA / January 10, 2021
Disease from Asia
Coronavirus
Asians and Asian Americans
Marle , MA / December 2020
DISEASE
BRAD DEHAY
CORONAVIRUS
AMANDA VOSE , WA / December 21, 2020
womens right
Feminism
women
um’unique , CA / December 11, 2020
child abuse
gender-neutral bathrooms
the trans and lgbtq community
michelle w , IN / December 11, 2020
xenophobia
COVID19
chinese
grace , chicago / December 11, 2020
lack of future thinking
Trump
imigrants
Esmeralda , CA / December 11, 2020
More war
WWII
Japanese-Americans put into Interment Camps
Barbara , CA / December 11, 2020
loss of american jobs
Trump
Immigrants
Ary , CA / December 11, 2020
Job Loss And Culture Change
Donald Trump
Immigrants
Angelica , CA / December 11, 2020
Losing speed
Accusations of gender bias in High Tech
Women / feminists
Susan , Massachusetts / November 11, 2020
Nazis
2 war mundial
All germans are nazis
Sarah , Ny / November 11, 2020
The demise of democracy
Biden's election win
Mail-in votes/voters
Justin B , WI / November 10, 2020
Being found out
Lyndsay Graham
Homoerotism
Joe Biden , Washington DC / November 10, 2020
Corona Viirus
quarintine
chinese people
ina , uS / November 10, 2020
Loss of authority, trust, confidence
Revelations of sexual abuse of children by priests
The Priests
Gene R. , NY / November 10, 2020
Immigration
Racism
Brown and Black People
Easton , Texas / November 10, 2020
Fear of a Woman President
the 2016 Election/Misogyny
Hillary Clinton
Anonymous , MA / November 10, 2020
Infection and Death
COVID-19
President Trump
William , CT / October 2020
Terrorist Attacks
9/11
Arabic Community
Michael , / October 2020
Gun Violence
Shootings
Black People
Z , Massachusetts / October 10, 2020
Homosexuality
Conflicting Internal Feelings
LGBTQ+ Community
William E. , OH / October 10, 2020
Changing Supreme Court rulings
Death of RBG
President Trump and Amy Coney Barrett
Stephanie , PA / October 10, 2020
Men's Loss of Superiority
Rape
Women/Women's Actions
Sophia M. , IL / October 10, 2020
Devotion to Islam
9/11
Muslim people in China
Sloane , NJ / October 10, 2020
Drugs/Crimes
Donald Trump
Black lives Matter
Sebean , Nathan Pipes, MO / October 10, 2020
Loss jobs?community
Trump
immigrants
Sarah , Arizona / October 10, 2020
The unknown
Donald Trump
Trump
Sam , CA / October 10, 2020
China
Internet
COVID19
Sam , Massachusetts / October 10, 2020
police brutality
george floyd
police
Ricardo G , IL / October 10, 2020
vaccines
corona virus
china
Anonymous , china / October 10, 2020
Women President
Republican /Trump
Hillary Clinton
Melissa Bolton , Clinton Twp, Michigan / October 10, 2020
Conservatism
Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court Nomination
Brett Kavanaugh
Meg R. , MN / October 10, 2020
gun violence
government
our rights
lexi Moore , walmart El Paso Texas 2019 / October 10, 2020
immigration
racism
brown and black people
lauren , lauren ma / October 10, 2020
Critical Thinking (esp for yourself)
Media
President Trump
K. Kelly , VA / October 10, 2020
president poor choices and broke promise
Donald J. Trump
Immigrants
julienne R. , CA / October 10, 2020
Contracting the coronavirus
Quarentine
Wearing masks in public
Julia , TX / October 10, 2020
Loss of Identity Politics
Trump
Gay Conservatives
Jake , CA / October 10, 2020
Loss of White idenitiy
Immigration
The Wall
Chris H. , ID / October 10, 2020
The increase of the Muslim religion
the influx of the muslim population
muslims
camille , china / October 10, 2020
democrats loosing power
anti trump redurake
trump and his sopporters
anonymous , CA / October 10, 2020
COVID-19
Trump placing blame somewhere that is not himself for not acting upon what he knew about the Virus
The Chinese
Anna T. , MI / October 10, 2020
Terrorism
9/11
muslims
Alice , CA / October 10, 2020
COVID
Media
Trump
Williams , IN / September 2020
COVID-19
Ineffective Lockdown Policy
Young People or Super Spreaders
Eric , NY / September 2020
Middle East
9/11
Muslims
Kristin , MA / September 2020
Terrorism
9/11
Targeted Islamic Community
Olivia Darrow , TX / September 2020
Death and Sickness
COVID-19
China
Wade , MA / September 2020
People Dying
pandemic
Chinese
Graciela G , CA / September 10, 2020
Racial Division
Media
Donald Trump
Mike , KY / September 10, 2020
Riots
Peaceful Protests
African American Civil Rights
Lanell R , MA / September 10, 2020
Covid-19
Germs
everyone except politicians
Bridget Ames , USA / September 10, 2020
magic
religion and fear
modern day witches
goody , MA / September 10, 2020
Racism
George Floyd's wrongful death
All police officers
Anonymous , MA / September 10, 2020
Sexual harassment/abuse in the workplace
Harvey Weinstein
Innocent men who are financially successful
Anonymous , MA / September 10, 2020
Terrorism
9/11
Muslim Americans
Kristin , PA / August 2020
Communism
Progressive Party
Democratic Party
Mary Ann , NY / August 2020
Terrorism
Radical Islam
Muslims
Amir , NY / August 2020
Corona
Medai Fearmongering
Selfish People Living Life Without Fear
Stella , MA / August 2020
Balance of Power
George Floyd
Protestors
Anonymous , CA / August 2020
Terrorism
9/11
Islam
Aneeqa , MD / August 2020
Xenophobia
Coronavirus
Chinese People
Melissa , MD / August 2020
Coronavirus
Hysterical Media
Anyone Who Disagrees with Shutdown
Kacey Wong , MA / August 2020
American Economic Decline
Immigrant Caravan and ICE Records
Blaming Immigrants for Everything
Stephanie , NY / August 2020
Infection
Coronavirus Outbreak
Asian-Americans and Chinese
Jacob , MA / August 2020
Gang Activities
The War on Drugs
Black Men
Mandi Dorrell , NJ / August 2020
Institutional Racism
George Floyd Murder
The Police
Adrian Young , MA / August 2020
Bad Economy
Trump
Immigrants
Brandie , MD / August 2020
COVID
Trump
Asian Americans
Jenn , WA / August 2020
Law Enforcement & All Other Enemies of the Constitution or the People
A Caucasian Male Police Officer with a God-Complex & a loaded 9mm Handgun.
A Suspicious-looking African-American male wearing a black hoodie at night.
The War on Drugs , The United States of America / August 10, 2020
Black Population Growth
Planned Parenthood Center Locations
Black & Minority Children
Tyrone M. , Chicago / August 10, 2020
Country will be overrun with immigrants
Failure to maintain the immigration process
Legal Immigrants
John B , OH / August 10, 2020
Virus
Corona Beer
Candians
Canadarona 2020 , Salem, ma / August 10, 2020
Downward Spiral of Economy
Covid 19
China/POTUS
Cheryl Palermo , Buffalo, NY / August 10, 2020
Infection
COVID-19
Anyone Who Isn't Supportive of Trump
Amanoa , MA / July 2020
Covid Infection
Scaremongering Media
Dissenters Against Lockdown
Rakesh , NH / July 2020
COVID-19
Origin of Virus in China
Asian People
Alex , MA / July 2020
The Beatles Breaking Up
John Lennon remarrying
Yoko Ono
Tara C. , NY / July 10, 2020
Losing their White Supremacy (finally)
Black Lives Matter
Black People who are just fighting for their right to be treated like a human being
Shelby , FL / July 10, 2020
covid 19
the media/government
social distancing and wearing masks
ash , usa / July 10, 2020
COVID-19
pandemic
China
Elaine , Vancouver / July 10, 2020
Pandemic/Uncertainty
Economic Collapse
Asian Americans
Jenny , TX / May 14, 2020
fear of power loss
cinematographic industry
actresses women
Ange , France / May 14, 2020
Criminality
Border Wall
Families Being Separated
you , Massachussetts / May 10, 2020
Coronavirus spread
Media
All persons- regardless of symptoms or lack thereof
RJC , OH / May 10, 2020
Discease/illness
Coronavirus
Doctors/Nurses
Raquel , Mexico / May 10, 2020
popularity
violences
Manga readers
political men , USA / May 10, 2020
loss of influence
covis 19
china
MC , france / May 10, 2020
Misunderstanding of Science
Pro-life Policies
Women
Lilliana , MA / May 10, 2020