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
Conservative Government
Republican ideals and facts
Trump
Renee , NJ / September 18, 2023
Loss of Human domination of Earth
Great Martian war 1907
Martian Immigrants
Ben , England / September 12, 2023
Satan/religious beliefs
Satanic panic
People who are different/alternative Satanist
Violet , UK / September 12, 2023
Having to admit that you may have privilege in certain areas
Marginalized people fighting for socio-economic equality
Using “woke” as a pejorative to diminish anyone who advocates for socio-economic change
Miranda , VT / September 11, 2023
Being emasculated
Far too many triggers to list in this little box
Any person/group of people that a man can overpower
Miranda , VT / September 11, 2023
Gaining weight
Being indoctrinated by the media to base self worth on your size
Fat humans who have the audacity to exist in their bodies without shame
Miranda , VT / September 11, 2023
Jews and Northern industrialism
Murder of Mary Phagan
Lynching of Leo Frank (1915)
Morgan , Bloomington, IL / September 01, 2023
Immigration(new immigrants)
ww1/ww2
german americans
Alfred , TN / September 01, 2023
Overpopulation
Migrant Boats into the UK
African/Eastern European Refugees
Anonymous , UK / August 2023
Loss of Control by White Men
Rise of MAGA Conservatism
Librarians and School Teachers
Alyson , PA / August 2023
Protection of Children
The Misunderstanding of Trans People
Transgender Community
Anonymous , MA / August 2023
People
Greed
Witches
Indra , Canada / August 2023
Shifting traditional family values
New wave of transgender young people
trans families and doctors
Peggy , MA / August 2023
Pandemic
Arrival of Covid Pandemic
Asians
Latoff , UK / August 2023
Arabs/Musilms
9/11/2001
Arab Americans
Christopher , MA / August 2023
End of white supremacy
Implementation of DEI policies
Educators, librarians, democratic politicians
Vicki , MD / August 29, 2023
Prejudice
State Policy
Extermination of Jews of Europe
Joey , NY / August 2023
Loneliness
Women calling out toxic bs
empowered/educated women
Karime , MA / August 2023
Leftist Indoctrination
Republicans Losing Popularity
Librarians & Educators
Julie , FL / August 2023
Climate Action
People of Color
Women and "Woke Culture"
Anonymous , MA / August 2023
Illness
Vaccine Conspiracy
Neurodivergent People
Theo , IN / August 2023
War
9/11
Muslim Community
Theo , IN / August 2023
China
COVID
Asian Community
Wei , MA / August 2023
Death
COVID
Unvaccinated
Anonymous , MA / August 2023
Not Feeling Safe
Too Many Homeless
California
Catie , Santa Monica, CA / August 2023
"Groomers"
The idea of the trans/LGBT "groomer" (i.e. pedophile)
LGBT people, particularly trans people
Logan , CT / August 14, 2023
Transphobia
Furthering of Trans Rights
Demonizing Trans People
Drew , NJ / August 2023
Knowldege
Child Predators
Teachers
Jenn F. , Indianapolis, IN / August 2023
National Security being breached during WWII
Discovering actual spies
Japanese Internment
Kate , OH / August 2023
Woman having control over their own bodies’
Roe vs. Wade
Women’s Rights
C , NC / August 2023
"corrupting children's minds"
sensitive parts of history
education
angela , PA / August 2023
pandemic
covid
bats
gigi , NY / August 2023
Trump for President
Lying Democrats/Government
TRUMP
Anonymous , Greenfield MA / August 11, 2023
Acceptance of LGBT People
Bigoted and Facist Republicans and Conservatives
Trans Kids
Anon , Washington Xing PA / August 11, 2023
Women Gaining Power
Abortion rights
Women
Rev. Leigh , MA / August 2023
Covid
Trump
Chinese/Asian People
Edward , NH / August 2023
Disease/Death
COVID
Chinese People/Jews
Dan , CA / August 2023
China
Corona Virus
Asian People
Marj , Danvers MA / August 08, 2023
Bombs
Isis
Muslims
Anonymous , BD / August 08, 2023
JAPAN
PEARL HARBOR
JAPANESE AMERICAN
DAMIEN , MA / August 08, 2023
Murder
Roe v Wade
Women who had abortions
Sophia , PA / August 08, 2023
Coronavirus/COVID19
Media
Violence Against Asian Community
Mike , MA / August 2023
Superstition, Black Magic
Women having strong opinions
Tribal women
Pragyan , India / August 2023
The collapse of order
Birth rate regression
Feminists (Especially Eastern Asians)
Adelyn , MA / July 2023
Coronavirus
Media/Dr. Fauci
Unvaccinated People
Nicole , FL / July 2023
Fear of Those Who are Different
Politicians
Drag Queens
Shauna , CA / July 2023
Inclusion
Demand for Accountability
Woke People
Mark , CA / July 2023
Mental Health
Unknown History
Illness and "Crazy"
Brenda , CA / July 2023
Strong Cultures
Economic Decline
Jews / Muslims
David , NC / July 2023
Religion (Catholicism)
Cromwell (Lutherian ideas)
Catholics Persecuted and Expelled
Diya , UK / July 2023
Children's Safety
Republicans
Transgender People
Richie , NY / July 2023
Guilt
Critical Race Theory
Banned Books
Christine , AZ / July 2023
Fear of Change
Trump
People That are Different/Minorities
Tina , ME / June 2023
Not having importance
Failure to maintain relationship with the Creator of all things
Your children
Anonymous , MA / June 2023
A child identifying as anything other than straight, cis
Conservatism
Republican bans on gender-related healthcare for youth
Anon , NY / June 2023
A man having a bad relationship with a woman
His mother
His wife/girlfriend
Anonymous , MA / June 2023
Losing Freedom of Speech
Actual Conservative Censorship
Labeling speech as disinformation or hate
Felisha , VA / June 26, 2023
abortion
"Murdering babies"
Bible
Andrea , FL / July 2023
A Republican President
The Lying Media/MSNBC Etc
Donald Trump
Vanessa , CT / June 26, 2023
Problems w/ Vaxing
Anti Vaxers and Fox News
People Dying of Covid
Mary , NY / June 2023
Terrorism
WTC Tragedy
War in Afghanistan/Iraq
Dave , MA / June 2023
Loss of Political Power
Donald Trump
Conservatives
John , AL / June 2023
Failure to Provide
Job Loss
Illegal Immigrants
Sarah , NY / June 19, 2023
Misunderstanding of things you THINK you control
Being a woman and living your life not married or having babies
Taylor Swift
Anonymous , PA / June 2023
Truth
Death
GOD/JESUS/HOLY SPIRIT
Jennifer , PA / June 2023
Korean People
Kanto Earthquake 1923
Korean People in Japan
Miuna , Japan / June 2023
Problems W/ Vaxxing
Anti Vaxers and Fox News
Many People Dying of COVID
Mary , NY / June 2023
Satan and Bewitchment
Tituba's Confession
20 men and women killed
Scarlet , NH / June 12, 2023
Diversity
Migration
Immigrants
Noemi , IN / June 12, 2023
Infection
Covid-19
Unvaccinated
Jason , MO / June 2023
Destruction of property and Life
Politics and rewritting history to suit the narrative
White males
Sabrina , NY / June 06, 2023
Children being abused by pedophiles
children learning about sex
safe sex education in schools
Katherine , VA / May 29, 2023
Harm to Children
Trans Rigths
Trans Community
Nicole , MA / May 2023
Infection
Covid
Asian Citizens
Nicole , MA / May 2023
Fear of Losing importance at workplace
Seeing women at workforce
Women
Aruna , INDIA / May 2023
covid
pandemic
Asians
Anonymous , NYC / May 2023
Conspiracy theories
Donald Trump
Jews
Miriel , MN / May 15, 2023
Japan
Pearl Harbor
Japanese Americans
Roger , HI / May 15, 2023
school shooting
news
gun laws
Olivia , NH / May 2023
Bombs
ISIS
Muslims
Adela , DB / May 06, 2023
Trans Men and Drag Artist
Accusations against trans men. Also accusations against Drag artists
ALL LGBTQI AND SUPPORTERS
Ertan , UK / April 2023
Christians Hate Trans People
Christians Refuse to Affirm a Transgender Person Due to Religious Beliefs About Sex and Gender
Children at a Christian School
Angela , CO / April 2023
Dying From COVID
Media
Unvaccinated
Ginny , FL / April 2023
Gun violence
guns
Mental Illness
Maria , AL / April 23, 2023
Pandemic or Breakdown in Society
Anti-Trans
Trans Community
Marjory , NY / April 2023
LGBTQ/Education/Democrats
Drag Queens/Books/College Loan Forgiveness
Drag Queens/Trans Folks/Women
Jessica , WA / April 2023
Protestor violence
White supremacists creating violence
peaceful protestors
Anonymous , MN / April 2023
Satan
Rumors
Witches
Lillian , CA / April 2023
Different Political Views
Trans Kids Understanding Themselves
Trans People and 400 Anti-Trans Bills
River , UT / April 2023
Loss of "Freedom"
Gun Control Laws
Liberals
Danielle , NJ / April 2023
Fear of Change
Trump
People That are Different
Tina , ME / April 2023
Obesity
Fat people
Fast Food
Gabe , SD / March 30, 2023
Crime
Stereotypes
Black People
Madison , U.S. / March 28, 2023
People with no comprehension of the effects of their actions
The 6 construction workers killed on 695 in Baltimore
Young drivers
Lisa , MD / March 24, 2023
Gun Violence
School Shootings
Guns
Abbie , Wa / March 2023
Being Poor
Seeing the Less Priveledged
The Rich
Andrew , NY / March 2023
Being exposed as wrong
Minor Gender Surgery Bans
Parents
Annonymous , Annonymous / March 19, 2023
infection
covid 19
aisian communities
Sierra , MI / March 2023
Witchcraft
Salem Witch Trials
Witches
Adrienne , OH / March 2023
Racism, Sexism, Homophobia
Left Wing Lies
White, Straight, Men
Annonymous , Anonymous / March 2023
Loss of Power/Anti-Semitism
White Nationalists
Jews and POC
Melissa , NY / February 2023
Covid
"Chinese Lab"
Asian Community
Leah , PA / February 2023
Japan
World War II
Franklin D. Roosevelt
William , USA / February 2023
Millennials afraid of Gen z actions
Gen Z accepting LGBTQ more openly
Social media platforms and schools
Micah , FL / February 19, 2023
Porcelain Dolls
Anabelle
dolls are scary
Arthur , NC / February 14, 2023
Pollution
Industrialization
Unabomber
Ethan , ND / February 14, 2023
Pedophiles/Rapists
Children
Adults
Key , MA / February 14, 2023
A narcissist losing his perceived control
Him being questioned on his actions to others, comma and how it's an oxymoron for the way the way he expects other people to treat himself
The wife, deserving of domestic abuse
Jill , NY / February 14, 2023
car crashed
bad drivers
people driving under the influence
Riley , OH / February 14, 2023
Gun Violence
school shootings
guns
Abbie , Wa / February 14, 2023
Homosexuality
Gay Marriage
Homophobia
Reese , Irwin, PA / February 07, 2023
school shootings
guns
the right to bare arms
Sarah , CA / February 04, 2023
losing money
shortages
bitcoin
Bob , MA / February 2023
Loss of Political Power in Nicaraguan Gov.
Slashing of Retirement Budget
Students Killed in 2018 Riot
Fran , TX / February 2023
being gay
seing gay people
gay people
Anonymous , America / February 03, 2023
climate change
increased amount of litter
homeless population
Jane , MA / January 29, 2023
fear of not being right/ having to agree with an opposite
political stereotypes
calling everybody an extremist
Anonymous , MA / January 22, 2023
Changing Societal Norms
Fox News/Donald Trump
LGBTQ+ Youth and Adults
Tanner , NJ / January 2023
Gun Violence
School Shootings
Guns
Courtney , Clendenin, WV / January 15, 2023
being controlled
britain taxing america
tax collectors
Anonymous , America / January 09, 2023
Exposure
Pending Legal Matters
Donald J. Trump
Anonymous , Saint Louis / January 06, 2023
Child Rapist
Right Wing Media
Queer people
Anonymous , NV / January 04, 2023
The Unknown
New Viruses
Bodily Self-determination
Anonymous , Kalamazoo, MI / January 03, 2023
Bombings
9/11
Muslim people
JT , NY / January 03, 2023
Insanity and suspicion of evil
Lack of knowledge on mental diseases
People with mental disease
Anonymous , International / January 03, 2023
sports team losing
someone not playing perfectly
that player
Ethan , MA / January 03, 2023
COVID
CDC
Doctors and Others Who Doubt
Neysa , CA / December 2022
protest
Poutine
Independent Russian newspapers
Camille , France / December 28, 2022
Infection
Monkey Pox
Gay Community
Megan , Singapore / December 2022
Losing White Privilege/Status
QAnon and Trump
Jews
Zoey , IL / December 2022
Quaran's Tyrrany
People following the Quaran and commiting atrocities
"Islam is Peaceful"
Abbu , VA / December 20, 2022
Immigrants "Corrupting" America
Trump/Racism
Hispanic
Derek , Colton, WA / December 20, 2022
Voicing an Opinion
Cancel Culture
Person voicing an opinion
Jon , UT / December 18, 2022
loss of control of women
abortion
women
Sheyla and Lexsi , California / December 16, 2022
Loss Control of Women
Abortion
Black Women
Anjum , Ca / December 13, 2022
police brutality
george floyds death
police being targeted
Anonymous , MN / December 13, 2022
Contracting HIV/AIDS
People not understanding the illness
Gay community
Addy , VT / December 13, 2022
Loss Of Control Of Women
Abortion
Women
Sheyla , Lexsi, CA / December 13, 2022
Gun Violence
Guns
Mental Illness
Maria , AM / December 12, 2022
birth rights
converatism
women
Isabella , Massachussets / December 12, 2022
hell
organized religion
anyone who doesn't go to church
Kaydiana , CA / December 12, 2022
School shootings
guns
The right to keep and bare arms
Sarah , California / December 10, 2022
Sickness
AIDS Outbreak
LGBTQ+
Mack , VT / December 09, 2022
Hell
Organized religion
anyone who doesn't go to church
Jenni , CA / December 08, 2022
Police brutality
George Floyd’s Death
Police Being Targeted
Anonymous , MN / December 07, 2022
Illness
Xenopobia
Asian Americans
QS , MA / December 06, 2022
fear of discrimination
George Floyd
policeman being looked as bad
Anonymous , d / December 06, 2022
Being possessed by the devil
Witch accusation
the accused
June , GA / December 06, 2022
Birth Rights
Conservatism
Women
Isabella , MA / December 06, 2022
Getting hurt
someone getting choked
police brutality
mike , Ma / December 05, 2022
Covid
Shutdown
Asians
Roscoe , Wasco high / December 05, 2022
Youth Becoming less social due to Technology
Covid-19/Online Learning
Phones
Noah , CA / December 05, 2022
loss of control of women
abortion
women
lexsi , CA / December 02, 2022
Immigrants "corrupting" america
Trump/Racism
Hispanic/Mexican People
Colton , WA / December 01, 2022
Bad Luck
Superstition
Animals who need to be adopted and loved, suffering because of people's superstitions
Aster , WA / December 01, 2022
Terrorism
9/11
Indians/indian americans
Anonymous , WA / December 01, 2022
Losing control over women
Women removing hijabs
Capitalist and Western Countries
Amber , Iran / December 01, 2022
youth becoming less social due to technology
covid-19/remote learning
phones
Sophia , USA / November 30, 2022
Getting hurt
Someone getting choked
Police Brutality
Mel , Ma / November 30, 2022
scared
how the girls acted
tituba
Alana , Massachusetts / November 30, 2022
mental helath
feeling overwhelmed
belief of being a threat and violent to society
Anonymous , Ca / November 30, 2022
Voter fraud
Federal Elections
Voting Machines/Poll Station Staff
Tod , WA / November 29, 2022
Sports team losing
Someone not playing perfectly
That player
Ethan , Il / November 26, 2022
Drogues et enfants confus
Une montée de la criminalité
Production Disney
Romy , MA / November 24, 2022
Zero Covid Policies, Party Oppression
Fire in Urumqi
Chinese Communist Party
West , Seattle, WA / November 23, 2022
Hell
Organized Religion
Anyone Who Doesn't Go To Church
Travis , PA / November 22, 2022
Covid
It Starting In China
Asians Being Blamed
Tanner , United States / November 22, 2022
Lack of Attention by the Accusers
Seeking/Wanting Attention/Spotlight
Anyone in Salem
Shelley , MA / November 21, 2022
infection
covid-19
china
Avah , nd / November 21, 2022
police brutality
george floyd's death
police being targeted
Nathan, Patrick, Tyler , Millbury MA / November 20, 2022
Birth Rights
Conservatism
Woman
Isabella , MA / November 20, 2022
Ruining Kids Minds
Social Media
Books
Krusha , Chicago / November 19, 2022
women in power
women not wearing hijabs
murdering and imprisoning women
tiffany, victoria, and chelsea , Massachusetts / November 18, 2022
Moral Decline
Satanic Panic
Daycare Workers
Kasey , St. Louis, MO / November 17, 2022
Men
Being attacked
Woman
Paige , IA / November 17, 2022
Infection
Covid 19
China
Sylvia , MA / November 2022
gun violence
guns
mental illness
Amare , usa / November 17, 2022
Covid
1st cases in china
Asian hate
Aieden and Anthony , Massachusetts / November 16, 2022
Satanic Ritual Abuse
Therapists
Parents
Key , MA / November 16, 2022
Judaism
Celebrities careless actions on social media
Jewish People
M.L. , MA / November 15, 2022
Fear of Police officers
BLM Protests / George Floyd
Attacked Police Officers
Samantha , Massachusetts / November 15, 2022
Birth Rights
Conservatism
woman
Isabella , Massachusetts / November 15, 2022
Death from covid
Source of Covid
Discrimination against Chinese and Asians
Cadence , Massachusetts / November 14, 2022
women in power
muslim women without hijabs
murdering and imprisoning women
Reilly, Sophia, Soleil , MA / November 14, 2022
Not Belonging
Politics
LGBTQ
Nathan , MA / November 14, 2022
War
Biden
Trump
George , MA / November 14, 2022
homeless are not morally good
rise in crime
violence towards them
Victoria , MA / November 14, 2022
Election Fraud
Donald Trump's Accusations
Election Officials, Staff, and Volunteers
Mary Ann , CO / November 2022
Degradation of USA Economy
Inequity of Tax Systems
Immigrants and the Poor
Mary Ann , CO / November 2022
Covid 19
Conspiracy Theory
Chinese People
Tom , CO / November 2022
Jewish People (Not pure enough blood)
Hitler
Concentration Camps/Death/Anti-Jewish
Naomi , CA / November 2022
That jewish people would be sucessful without them
during the first world war, the german army command spread the myth that jewish people and communists were working together against them.
Jewish people
Meredith and Mackenzie , MA / November 10, 2022
Past news
Being Targeted
Women
Abigail , MA / November 10, 2022
Being targeted
Alone in a public space
Woman
Tyler , MA / November 10, 2022
911
death from plane crash
Islamic people hate
Anonymous , New York / November 09, 2022
Spies
Pearl harbor
Japanese Americans
Anonymous , United States / November 09, 2022
Gun Control
School Shootings
Doors
Bob , CA / November 09, 2022
LGBTQ+ Indoctrination
LGBTQ+ Tolerance
Teachers
Sonya , IL / November 09, 2022
School Shootings
Columbine
Violence in Movies
Anonymous , MA / November 09, 2022
Jewish Beliefs/People
Celebrities (Kanye and Kyrie Irving)
Normalizing Antisemeticism/Anti-Jewish Behavior
Calvin , MA / November 09, 2022