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
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
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
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
School Shootings
Columbine
Violence in Movies
Solo , MA / November 09, 2022
police burtality
BLM Protests / George Floyd
police officers
Samantha , Massachusetts / November 09, 2022
Dying Alone
Anxiety
Society
Corissa , Norwalk Ct / November 08, 2022
Devil Worship
Popularity or Harry Potter books
All the children of the world
Zeke , AR / November 07, 2022
drugs and confused children
a rise in crime
Disney productions.
Rickie , Salem Massachusetts / November 07, 2022
Hell
Organized religion
Anyone who doesn't go to church
Travis Oliver , Pennsylvania / November 06, 2022
Violence and death
Recent rise in homicides
People who play violent games
Jacob , IL / November 05, 2022
ghosts
ghostbusters
Bill murray
Milan , Nashua / November 04, 2022
Russia losing power to get Ukraine to NATO
Russia wanting to "demilitarisation and denazification" Ukraine
Ukrainian Civilians and Ukrainian Government
Morgan , NH / November 03, 2022
Putin
Russia invading Ukraine
People of Russian Ancestry/Origin/Ethnicity/Nationality
Snow , Worldwide / November 03, 2022
woman having anatomy
controlling men in power
Roe V. wade
Roe , CA / November 03, 2022
Which craft
udge Jonathan Corwin
Women
Bridget , Salem, MA / November 01, 2022
hitler
germany looses ww1
jewish citizens
Sandy , PA / November 01, 2022
Jewish Indoctrination
Anti-Semitism
Israel
Anonymous , IC / November 01, 2022
COVID
It Starting In China
Asians Being Blamed
Tanner , United States / October 31, 2022
loss of human rights
roe v. wade being overturned
women
MJ , VA / October 28, 2022
The end of world
Inconsideration of the climate change
People of earth
Anonymous , Wales, UK / October 28, 2022
nuclear weapons/power
Chornobyl
Nuclear power plants
Anonymous , SD / October 27, 2022
witches
children screaming
many innocent people
Anonymous , Salem MA / October 26, 2022
COVID19
Mass Hysteria by Media
Non-Vaxxed or Hesitant
Hunter , MD / October
Accountability
Unknown
Boston Youth Action Board
Anonymous , Boston, MA / October 21, 2022
being wrong
politics
the other side
Anonymous , earth / October 20, 2022
Illness
Covid-19
People who choose not to be vaccinated
Molly Thompson , NH / October 18, 2022
People
homophobia/racism/sexism/etc.
Toxic WHITE people
Ben , NY / October 18, 2022
Devils
Rebellious Children
Dungeons and Dragons
Leila , CA / October 17, 2022
Dying Alone
Anxiety
Society
Lexsi , MA / October 17, 2022
immigrants taking "American Jobs"
Trump
The Hispanic community.
Anonymous , US / October 17, 2022
College Acceptance
Society's Pressure
Collegeboard
Anonymous , IL / October 17, 2022
LGBTQ+ Indoctrination
LGBTQ+ Representation
School Teachers
Amber , Florida / October 17, 2022
Nuclear Weapons/ Power
Chornobyl
Nuclear Power Plants
Matthew , SD / October 16, 2022
Democrat leadership exposed for living above the law
January 6 th trespassing
Donald trump and patriotic Americans
Doreen , New your city / October 15, 2022
witch
unknown
African American
Anonymous , LA / October 14, 2022
Musical Regression
Awful songs on the radio
Nickelback
Anonymous , United States / October 11, 2022
Nuclear Weapons/ Power
Chornobyl
Nuclear Power Plants
Random Person , SD / October 07, 2022
Illness
Pandemic
Africans
Anonymous , Africans / October 06, 2022
Japan
Pearl Harbor
Gay community
Mike , MD / October 06, 2022
Loss of personal freedoms
Mask mandates
Medical professionals trying to prevent the spread of illness
Lisa , IA / October 06, 2022
Diease
Monkey Pox
Gay Men / People
Nick , CA / October 05, 2022
Infection
COVID
People with COVID
Anonymous , The world / October 05, 2022
Monkeys
Gordy
Monkeys are Evil
Burger , New York / October 04, 2022
COVID
1st Cases in China
Asian Hate Crimes
Elizabeth , NV / October 2022
War
Biden
Trump
Dee , Arizona / October 03, 2022
Terror at school
Loners
World of Warcraft
Marjory , Parkland, FL / October 01, 2022
Having an unwanted pregnancy
Supreme Court Reverses Roe Vs Wade
White Men
Anonymous , Everywhere / September 28, 2022
Not strong enough gun laws
School Shootings
Losing human rights
Kianna , TN / September 28, 2022
hitlers reign
german loss of ww1
jews
Anonymous , Germany / September 27, 2022
Being inadequate & facing insecurities/traumas in interpersonal relationships
A sex worker having healthy personal boundaries and relationships
“You’re a whore what do you know about love and boundaries”
Anonymous , Hollywood, Ca / September 26, 2022
Covid-19 Pandemic
Liberal Media
Trump
Roger , USA / September 23, 2022
Losing White Power
BLM Movement
Black People
SJ , TX / September 20, 2022
loosing my rights
overturning of Roe v. Wade
Republicans
Jenelle , NY / September 19, 2022
devils
rebellious children
dungeons and dragons
lucas , OR / September 18, 2022
Black people getting killed by white cops
Riots
Extreme Leftist
Kianna , TN / September 17, 2022
Capitalism
Trump Derangement Sydonrome
Over 70 Million Americans
Maria , MA / September 2022
getting kidnapped
walking at night
homeless people
Alice , Armada, Mi / September 14, 2022
Good Music
Country Rap
North Woods Outlaws
J , Maine / September 13, 2022
dying alone
anxiety
society
David , MD / September 09, 2022
Penn State's football record
Penn State loses
Blame Sean Clifford
Sean , State College / September 08, 2022
PSU losing
Iowa
Sean Clifford
Carson , PA / September 08, 2022
jewish world domination
economical crisis
jews
Sophie , Germany / September 07, 2022
Bad American Economy
Trump
Immigrants and Minority Groups
Abigail , CA / September 05, 2022
COVID
Started in China
Asian Americans/Asian Citizens
Alfred , KY / September 2022
RACISM & Anti- ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION LAWS (Deportation & Family separation)
MAGA movement, Surge of conservatism, Religious rights, Strict immigration laws
Donald Trump Russian Collusion (A complete Hoax)
Waui , Manila, Philippines / August 31, 2022
RACISM & PREJUDICE
Police mistreatment of suspects/arrest brutality/ overkill
Blame Donald trump
Waui , Detroit, Michigan / August 30, 2022
Donald Trump
Drain The Swamp
January 6 Insurrection
Christopher , Michigan / August 30, 2022
COVID
It Starting In China
Asians Being Blamed
Bridget , MA / August 2022
Loss of American Identity
Trump
People of Color/Anyone Not Christian
William , NE / August 2022
White People Losing Control
Trump
POC, Gays, Not Christians
Marie , MA / August 2022
Loss of American Pride
Trump
People of Color, Gay People, Anyone Not Christian
Janet , NE / August 2022
Disease
Monkey Pox
Gay Men / People
Taylor , CA / August 2022
Immigrants
Economic Anxiety
Deportation and kids in cages
Alyssa , Tx / August 30, 2022
Covid
Death
Unvacinated
Anonymous , MA / August 2022
Desegregation
Ruby Bridges
Black Students
Noah , ME / August 2022
Car accidents
DUI
Trauma
Lina , CA / August 25, 2022
Devil
Rebellious Children in the 80's
Dungeons & Dragons
Dakota , FL / August 2022
Nation's Identity
Trump
Anyone Not White or Christian
LouAnn , CA / August 2022
Free Speech
Close Minds
Cancel Culture
Lee , OH / August 2022
Trump
Conspiracy
Political Division
Beth , MA / August 2022
Loss of status or privilege
Teaching actual history (“CRT”) and increasing diversity, equity and inclusion training/education
“Woke and Extreme” liberals
Emily , Northern Virginia / August 16, 2022
Illness
Covid
Chinese or Asian Americans
Molly , Northbrook, IL / August 10, 2022
Human trafficking
Internet
Innocent people walking through target
Kristen , CA / August 07, 2022
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
Rationality/Civility/Common Sense
"Woke" Ideology
Conservatism
Andy , MA / 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