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
Difference and the Unknown
Violence and loss of economic resources
Immigrant Families
Irene S. , FL / June 2018
Loss of American Values
Election of Donald Trump
People Who Are Different
Mary Margaret D. , NY / June 2018
Losing AMerican Jobs
Donald Trump Election
Immigrants
Nessa C. , Ny / June 2018
Loss of Power/Influence
Trump
Immigrants
Nathalie P. , Canada / June 2018
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Jamina A. , PA / June 2018
Xenophobia
Trump
Immigrants
Henrique K. , Canada / June 2018
Terrorism
9/11
Arabic Community
Henrique K. , Canada / June 2018
Middle East
9/11
Persecution of Muslims
Javier , Puerto Rico / June 2018
Immigration and Economics
Donald Trump
Mexicans and Muslims
Janice S. , Canada / June 2018
Child Abuse
Gender-Neutral Bathrooms
The Trans and LGBTQ Community
Michelle W. , IN / June 2018
Criminality from Other Countries
Border Wall
Families Being Seperated
Mary L.A. , TX / June 2018
Economic Uncertainty
Populist Leader
Refugees and Immigrants
Ariel P. , TX / June 2018
More Immigrants
2017 Mexican Border Problem
Undocumented Immigrants
Jack M. A. , Canada / June 2018
Loss of White Identity
Immigration
The Wall
Chris H. , ID / June 2018
Fear of Islam
Radical Islamic Terrorism
All Muslim People
Clara , ID / June 2018
Being Poor
Economic Collapse
Jews
Steven S. , NY / June 2018
Job Loss and Culture Change
Donald Trump
Immigrants
Johanna Y. , CA / June 2018
Fear of Power Loss
Corrupt Democrats
Trump
John T. , ME / September 2019
The Hashemite Kingdom
1973 Yom Kippur War
West Bank Residents
Anonymous , NA / October 2019
Impurity
Hitler
Jews
Amanda , MD / October 2019
Release of Politically Damaging Information
Dictatorship and political establishments
Journalists
Ava , NJ / November 2019
Terrorism
The President
Immigrants and Refugees
Suzanne , MA / November 2019
Autism
Andrew Wakefield
Vaccinations
Giulia , MA / November 2019
Loss of Superiority
Bathroom Panic
Trans Women
Anonymous , NA / November 2019
Islam
9/11
Racial Attacks and Persecution of Arabs
Summer , AZ / November 2019
Change
Mass Immigration
Latinos/Muslims/Migrants
Ana L. S. , MA / November 2019
Immigration
Trump
Obama and Democrats
Dennis F. , NY / November 2019
The Unknown
9/11
Muslims
Casey , NY / November 2019
Satan-Influenced Christianity
Joseph Smith and the LDS Church
Missouri Extermination Order
Mark , TX / December 2019
Poverty/Unemployment
Poor Economy and Recession
Immigrants
Lauren , MA / December 2019
Immigration
President Donald Trump
Mexicans
Ana T. , TX / December 2019
Terrorism
9/11
Muslim Community
Marie H. , Canada / December 2019
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Mark S. , MA / December 2019
Terrorism/Xenophobia
9/11
Muslims
Hadjer L. , VA / December 2019
Unrestricted German Submarine Warfare
Inclusion of Germany in WWI
Discrimination and Suppression of German American Citizens
Elizabeth L. , NJ / December 2019
Immigration
Racism
Brown and Black People
Lauren , MA / January 2020
Russian Expansion
2016 Election Interference
Trump and His Associates
Jorean , TX / January 2020
Lack of Future Thinking
Trump
Immigrants (Good/Bad)
Melvin L. , MA / January 2020
Losing Jobs
Immigration
Asylum Seekers in Cages
Anonymous , NA / January 2020
Xenophobia
Great Oppression in Germany
Jewish People
Anonymous , NA / January 2020
Corona Virus
CDC/WHO
Chinese People
Sean S. , Singapore / January 2020
Unemployment
Donald Trump
Immigrants
Olivia M. , MA / January 2020
Jews and Non-WASPs
Hitler
People in Concentration Camps
Addie K. , MD / January 2020
Alleged Racism and Nazism
Trump
Black Listed Conservatism
Anonymous , NA / January 2020
Failed Economy
Fox News
Immigrants
Anonymous , MA / February 2020
Terrorism
9/11
Immigrants
Rola C. , Taiwan / February 2020
Coronavirus
Quarantine
Chinese People
Amanda , CT / February 2020
Magic
Religion and Media
Modern Day Witches
Atrego , MA / February 2020
Political Intolerance
Widespread Corruption
"Everyone is a Russian Agent"
Amy M. , CT / February 2020
Vaccines
Coronavirus
China
Anonymous , NA / February 2020
Women's Rights
Feminism
Women
Amanda A. , Costa Rica / December 2018
Xenophobia
Struggling Economy/Lack of faith in government
ICE detainment camps
Nicholas P. , GA / July 2018
Loss of resources from Middle East
9/11/2001
"Muslim Terrorist" Stereotype
Angelica , MA / July 2018
Cannabalism
Desire for Land
Indian Relocation to Reservations
Melodie D. , NA / August 2018
Inferiority and losing majority status
Trump Election
Non-Whites
Melanie W. , WA / August 2018
Immigration
Trump
Anyone non-white
Alanya P. , WI / August 2019
Terrorism
#45 President Trump
Immigrants
Laura H. , MD / August 2018
A Bad Economy
Immigrants
"Build a Wall"
Kristin C. , RI / February 2018
Criminalism
Trump
Immigrants
Anne H. , OH / November 2018
White People being a minority
Trump
Undocumented Immigrants
Olivia L. , NC / July 2018
Autism/Special Needs
Jenny McCarthy
Vaccines
Christine P. , VA / July 2018
Terrorism
Isis
Muslims
Ali S. , MA / August 2018
Food Poisoning and Animal Cruelty
Mistreatment of Animals and Sickness
Local Small Scale farmers wishing to raise sustained organic and ethical produce
Hamish C. , Canada / July 2018
Constitutional Checks and Balances
Running a foul of checks and balances
"Obama People"
Harriet B. , CT / October 2019
Drugs/Violence
Donald Trump
Immigrants
Jennifer , VA / October 2019
Loss of Jobs and American Culture
Donald Trump
Immigrants
Anonymous , NA / October 2019
Disease
Measles
Forced Vaccination
Tina B. , NY / November 2019
Not Having Enough
Trump and his base
Immigrants
Betsy , NJ / November 2019
Invasion
Gang Violence
Mexican-Americans/Immigrants
Mia P. , RI / November 2019
Failure of Social Systems
Violence and Unrest in the Streets
Homeless persons
Katrina , United Kingdom / November 2019
Economic Recession and Extradition Bill
Pro-Democracy Protesters in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Leaders and Police
Rodrick , IL / November 2019
Loss of Jobs/Community
Trump
Immigrants
Anonymous , NA / November 2019
Jews
Bad Government
Holocaust
Richard , NJ / November 2019
Old Industries Dying
Immigration from South America
Immigrants
Nana , Spain / December 2019
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Anonymous , NA / December 2019
Unemployment
Donald trump
Scapegoating of Immigrants
Anonymous , NA / December 2019
Jews
Hitler
Holocaust
Tais , Israel / December 2019
Rapists and Drug Dealers
Donald Trump
Illegal Aliens in Prison Camp
Alyn , NY / September 2019
Terrorism
Donald Trump
Immigrants
Kelly , PA / August 2019
Immigration
Trump
"The Wall"
Anonymous , NA / September 2019
Terrorism
9/11
South Asians and Pakistanis
Lexie L. , AL / August 2019
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Elixabete A. B. , Spain / August 2019
Terrorism
9/11/01
Muslim Community
Robert , NY / September 2019
Middle East
9/11
Muslims
Neil , Ireland / September 2019
Refugees
Asylum Seekers
Trump and Scott Morrison(Australian Prime Minister) as Persecutors
H.J. B. , Australia / January 2020
Fear of Conservatism and Personal Responsibility
2016 Election
President Trump
Douglas N. , CT / January 2020
Russia
Donald Trump Elected President
"Trump is a Russian Asset"
Jack , TX / January 2020
Terrorism
Increased fanaticism
People of Faith
Wendy , RI / January 2020
Immigration/Racism
Poor Economy and Wealth Distribution
Immigrants
Jillana K. , NY / February 2020
Infection
Corona Virus
China/Asian People
Kathryn , MA / February 2020
Scare Resources/Unemployment
Donald Trump
Mass Genocide at Southern Border
Niemi , CA / February 2020
Pit Bull Violence
Attacks and Rough Play
Pitt Bulls Banned in Certain States
Madison H. , MA / December 2019
Overpopulation
Election of Donald Trump
The Wall
Larrian M. , TX / December 2019
Radical Islam
9/11
Arabic People
April A. , MA / December 2019
Crime (drugs, gangs and rape)
Mass Immigration from Mexico and Central America
Immigrants from these countries
Erin , NJ / July 2019
Islamic Extremists
9/11
Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria
Craig S. , Canada / July 2019
High Unemployment
Influx of Illegal Immigrants
Mexican-American Immigrants
Luke , TX / July 2019
Nazism
Democrats
Trump Supporters
Omar O. , FL / July 2019
Islamic Terrorists
9/11
Muslim Americans
Brady , FL / July 2019
Invasion and Economic Instability
Trump
Immigrants and Minorities
Natalie , NY / July 2019
Immigration
Job Losses
Immigrants
Hope , MA / July 2019
Immigration
Trump
Discrimination Against People of Color
Yuiko , MA / July 2019
Immigration
Job Loss
Mexicans
Joseph , PA / July 2019
Terrorism
9/11
Arab Males
Kirk , MO / July 2019
Islam
9/11
Muslims
Erin , NJ / July 2019
Immigrants
Donald Trump
Separation of Internment of families and children
Norman D. , MA / July 2019
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Shawna M. , Canada / July 2019
Jews
Hitler
Holocaust
Joshua F. C. , CA / July 2019
Loss of Ethnic Homogenuity
Loss of Jobs
Immigrants
Maria P. , TN / July 2019
Fear of Immigrants
Trump
Children in cages separated from their families
Rachel , MI / July 2019
Muslims
Miseducation/ Politics
Muslim-Americans
Omar , CT / July 2019
Decreasing Industrialization
Trump
Immigrants
Pearl , Canada / July 2019
Losing a Christian America
9/11
Muslims
Jasmine , MA / July 2019
The New England Patriots
Ryan Grigson's Misunderstanding of Science
Tom Brady
Michael K. , MA / July 2019
Losing Jobs/Disease
Trump's Words
Mexicans/Other Immigrants
Nava Simon , NY / July 2019
Loss of Jobs/Poor Economy
Government
Immigrants
Kendal L. , NY / July 2019
A New Civil War
Fake News
Conservatives
Anonymous , NA / July 2019
Tom Brady
Victories
New England Patriots
Annie , MO / July 2019
Guns
Parkland Shooting
NRA
Gary M. , RI / August 2018
"The Enemy"
9/11 Attacks in NY
Muslims/Arabs
Hamish C. , Canada / July 2018
Gun Violence
School Shootings
Video Games
Nicholas Wayne G. , MA / August 2018
Joblessness
Economic Downturn
Immigrants
Lorelei C. , NC / July 2018
Different Points of View, Diversity and Immigrants
Trump, The Wall, and Republicans
Family Separation of Immigrants
Adriana F. , MA / August 2018
Immigrants
Trump
Family Seperation
Alice S. A. , Rio de Janeiro / August 2018
Immigrants
Donald Trump
Non-Whites
Elizabeth F. , CT / July 2018
Wealth/Power
Illegal Immigration
Donald Trump
Keith M. , CA / June 2018
Enforcement of Immigration Laws
Lawful Election
Donald Trump
Marc L. , RI / August 2018
Republican Supreme Court Justice
Me Too Movement
Kavanaugh Trial
Denise T. , LA / October 2018
Xenophobia
Donald Trump
Undocumented Immigrants
Lynn D. P. , MI / August 2018
Crime and Sex trafficking
Trump's Election
Millions of South and Central Americans being put in "internment camps"
Naygen G. , NY / August 2019
African Americans
Police Department
Minorities Losing Lives
Gordon D. , NY / August 2019
Immigrants
Trump
Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Anonymous , WA / August 2019
Terrorism
9/11
Muslim Community
Alex , CA / August 2019
Un-Americanism
Trump
Migrants
Daniela , CO / August 2019
Loss of Wealth/Capitalism
Immigration
Mexican Immigrants
Allison K. , MO / August 2019
Loss of Income/Jobs
Trump
Immigrants
Tod , MA / August 2019
Immigrants
"Caravan Invasion"
Latinos
Lia R. , NJ / August 2019
Xenophobia
Trump
Immigrants
Michael , CA / August 2019
Being Replaced
Trump
Immigrants
Gabby , OH / August 2019
Immigrants
9/11
Islamophobia
Noor , Lebanon / August 2019
Economic Instability
Donald Trump
Immigrants
Alex M. , IL / August 2019
"Super Predators"
Politicians (Clintons)
Policing of black youth
Chrystina , GA / August 2019
Change
Trump
Immigrants
Rhonda , MN / August 2019
Economic Destabilization
Several Concurrent and Careless Administrations
Immigrants (especially People of Color)
Cooper , CA / August 2019
Losing "good ole America"
Institutional Racism
Literally anyone of Color
Brittany , CA / August 2019
Immigrants
Trump and White Nationalism
Hispanic Populations
Monica , PA / August 2019
New Technology
Shootings
Violent Video Games
Frank , NJ / August 2019
Immigrants and Immigration
Trump
Hispanic/Latino Community
Valerie G. , TX / August 2019
Loss of American Privileges
2016 Election
"Illegal" Immigrants in Camps
Jess , NY / August 2019
Nationalism and Racism
Election of Donald Trump
Persecution of Immigrants, Minorities, and the Poor
Julia , IL / August 2019
Terrorism
9/11
Muslim Community
Esha , CA / August 2019
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Marissa , NJ / August 2019
German Fall from Grace and Descending into Poverty
Hitler
Jews and Non-German Persecution
Ilana , NJ / August 2019
Job Loss and Marginalization of White Men
Trump
Immigrants and women and LGBTQ+)
Laura , CT / August 2019
Terrorist Attacks
9/11/2001
Muslim Americans
Autumn , WV / August 2019
Loss of National Identity
Trump
Immigrants
Alice L. , United Kingdom / August 2019
Loss of Privilege
Trump
Women
Chris A. , CA / August 2019
Economic Hardship
Trump
Immigrants
Chris A. , CA / August 2019
Economic Hardship
Hitler
Jews
Chris A. , CA / August 2019
Loss of Economic Power
U=Influx of families at Southern Border
People from South and Central America
Chris , TX / August 2019
Failing Economy
Exaggerated Media Coverage
Hispanic and Latinx Immigrants
Jasmin P. , NJ / August 2019
White Supremacy
Trump
Immigrant Children in Concentration Camps in 2019
Sarah , Canada / August 2019
Economic Downturn
Donald Trump
Immigrants
Laura , MD / August 2019
Terrorism and the Trade Center Bombings
Trump
Muslim Travel Ban and Anti-Muslim Attitudes
David S. , NY / August 2019
Invasion & Terrorism
Trump
"All Latinos Are Bad"
David S. , NY / August 2019
Loss of White Supremacy
Trump
22 people (Hispanics) Killed in El Paso
Maryann , AT / August 2019
Immigrants
Make America Great Again
Border Camps and Visa Rejections
Bonnie Kay B. , TX / October 6
USA Big Pharma
Opioid Epidemic
Healthcare Professionals
Taylor , PA / October 2019
Invasion
Migration
Caged Latinx
Brian D. , CA / October 2019
Loss of Power
2016 Election of Trump
Russian Hoax and Ukraine Hoax to Persecute Trump
Dennis H. , FL / October 2019
Terrorism
Election of Trump
Immigrants on Southern Border
Toby , MA / October 2019
Loss of Democratic Control
Impeachment Hearings
Donald J. Trump
Adam S. , CA / October 2019
US Instability
Democrats
Trump
Frank C. , NY / October 2019
Disease
Measles
Anti-Vaccinators
Terry B. , NY / October 2019
Lack of Resources
Trump
Refugees and Immigrants at the border
Kara , MA / October 2019
Loss of Power
Changing Demographics
Immigrants
Douglas B. , MD / August 2018
Russia
Donald Trump
Political Hysteria
Vivian G. , NH / August 2018
Polish Freedom
Economy
Iron Curtain
Natalia , Poland / October 2018
Unpure Race
Jewish People
Holocaust
Natalia , Poland / October 2018
Women being assaulted
Kevin Spacey, Woody Allen, Donald Trump
"Any Man Who Flirts is a Predator"
D. Leff , NJ / July 2018
"The Other"/ Immigrants
Trump/Media
Children kept in cages
Nicole H. , NH / July 2018
Job Loss
Trump
Immigrants
R. Soto , NJ / July 2018
Terrorism
September 11
Muslims
Sam Roth , CA / July 2018
Failing Economy in Germany
Hitler
Jews
Jenn V. F. , Canada / July 2019
Drugs/Crime
Donald Trump
Black Lives Matter Movement
Nathan Pipes , MO / July 2018
Drugs/Crime
Donald Trump
Mexican Immigrants
Nathan P. , MO / July 2018
Dog Bites/Attacks
New and Sensational Media
Breed Specific Legislation
Lily F. , CA / July 2018
Terrorism
Trump Era
Refugees
Carolyn T. , MD / December 2018
Invading America
Trump's Candidacy
Immigrants
Gail R. , TX / December 2018
Terrorism
9/11
Islamophobia/Muslims
Kathryn B. , CA / June 2017
Immigration
The GOP
Kids in Cages
Ashley , CO / September 2019
White Replacement
Trump
Immigrants
Lynn D. , ME / November 2019
Immigrants
President Trump
Kids in Cages
Jackie , NJ / November 2019
Terrorism
9/11
Innocent People on Terror Watchlists
Eric , NY / May 2019
Economic Uncertainty
Shifting Cultural Makeup
Immigrants
Aaron , OK / May 2019
Economic Loss
Immigration
Muslims/Mexicans
Sarah , MN / May 2019
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Cosmo , NJ / May 2019
Anti-Antisemitism
Hitler
Jews
Sharon , MA / May 2019
Foreigners
9/11 Attacks
Muslims
Greg , MA / May 2019
Xenophobia
Donald Trump
Undocumented Immigrants
Lynn D. , MI / August 2018