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

Global Pandemic

COVID-19

Asians/Unvaccinated

Kelly , QC / October 2024

God

Abortion

Women

Nic , GA / October 6, 2024

Trump

Inadequacy

MAGA

Jim , CA / October 2024

Police Brutality

BLM

Police (All Are Bad)

Courtney , NC / October 2024

Changing Culture

Donald Trump

Immigrants

Gabrielle , CA / October 2024

Controversial Ideas, Freedom of Speech

Anti-Intellectualism

Academia and Science

Daniel , PA / October 5, 2024

Terrorism

September 11, 2001

Increased Discrimination of Arab+Muslim People

Morgan , MA / October 2024

Getting Abused

Yelling and Fighting

Men

Delilah , TN / October 4, 2024

Terrorists

911 Attacks

Racism Against Muslims

Shelly , NV / October 2024

COVID-19 Sickness

CDC

Humans/Masks/Lockdown

Melanie , SC / October 2024

Political Division

Donald Trump

January 6th

Becca , KY / October 2024

Losing Jobs/Opportunities

Recession/Hate-Talk From Politicians

Immigrants

Nicole , NY / October 2024

People With Mental Illness

A Rare Number of Violent Crimes

All People With Mental Illness

Samantha , NE / October 2, 2024

Infection

COVID-19

Chinese People/Sinophobia

Anonymous , VA / October 2024

Immigrants

Trump

Haitians

R. Read , WA / September 2024

Inflation/Economic Hardship

Pandemic

Immigrants

Divine , MA / September 2024

Economic Downturn

Presidential Election/Trump

Immigrants

Anna , MA / September 2024

Eating Cats and Dogs

Hatians

Trump

Destiny , GA / September 30, 2024

Being Raped

Rapists

All Men

Briana , SC / September 30, 2024

Drugs

Richard Nixon

War on Drugs

Andrew , NY / September 2024

Losing A Successful Future

Pregnancy

Baby

Anonymous , USA / September 29, 2024

Fear of All Illegal Immigrants Trafficking Our Children, Causing Crimes, etc.

Harris and Walz Continuing to Leave Our Border Open, etc.

Trump

Robin , Chicago, IL / September 29, 2024

Men Losing Social Power

Fetuses

Pregnant Women

Susanne , AZ / September 29, 2024

Eating Cats & Dogs

Hatians

Trump

Marla , NY / September 2024

Satanic Panic

Death/Murder

West Memphis Three

Dakota , NY / September 2024

Infection

COVID-19

Asians

Kimberly , PA / September 28, 2024

Spectrums & Ambiguity

Increased Media Representation of Gender Diversity

Trans & Nonbinary Lives

Ray , NV / September 28, 2024

Lose of Parental Authoritarian Control

Children Learning & Forming Their Own Opinions

Public Educational System

Anonymous , IA / September 29, 2024

Fear of Haitian Immigrants Taking Jobs and Spreading Disease

Trump and Vance blaming Haitians in Springfield Ohio, Colorado, New Orleans

Haitian

Gail , OH, LA / September 27, 2024

Independence of Women

Debates About Abortion

Women

Deborah , TX / September 27, 2024

Fear of the Truth

Trump & MAGA

The American People

Joyce , RI / September 2024

Infection

COVID-19

Asians

Sam , Michigan / September 24, 2024

HIV/AIDS

Reagan

Gay Men

Anonymous , MA / September 26, 2024

Loss of Supremacy (Racial)

Donald Trump

Anti-Immigrants/Refugees

Anonymous , United States / September 26, 2024

Plane Crash

9/11

Islam

Cassie , NYC / September 24, 2024

Feminazis

Feminism

Attacking Women

Meg , PA / September 24, 2024

Eagles Super Bowl Loss

2023

Nick Sirianni

Dylan , PA / September 24, 2024

Eagles Being Good At Football

Carson Wentz

Doug Pederson

Dylan , PA / September 24, 2024

Donald Trump

Republicans Winning 2020 Election

COVID-19

Dylan , PA / September 24, 2024

COVID-19

2019

China

Lisa , USA / September 23, 2024

Loss of Reproductive Rights

Anti-Abortion Bans & Other Legislation

Abortion Patients and Providers

Donna , Cleveland, Ohio / September 23, 2024

Being Treated Fairly Despite Bad Behavior

Something Not Being Done Your Way In Restaurant

Your Poor Server

Alysa , TX / September 23, 2024

Destruction of American Values and Culture by Immigrants

Lies of J.D. Vance in Campaign: Haitan Immigrants Eating Pets

Haitian Immigrants Integrating Into Springfield, OH

Jean , WI / September 23, 2024

Crime

Trump

Immigrants

Graham , London, UK / September 20, 2024

Not Being Seen As Wanted In Society

Misgendering

People Who Don't Accept Gender As Valuable Human Categorization

Justin , GA / September 18, 2024

Seeing Gay/Trans People Will Turn Kids

Inclusive/Banned Books

Gay or Trans Parents/Families

Heather , MI / September 18, 2024

Children Being Shot

School Shootings

Guns

Justin , GA / September 18, 2024

Unintentional Disrespect

Cultural Ableism

People With Disabilities

Brittney , ME / September 18, 2024

Not Feeling Safe

Homeless

California

Witches , MA / September 17, 2024

Immigrants

Trump

Haitians

John , IN / September 17, 2024

Change

Gay People Existing

LGBTQIA+

Karina , CA / September 2024

Eating Dogs and Cats

Springfield, OH and Trump/Vance

Haitians Being Targeted

Rosales , OK / September 17, 2024

Demonic Possession

Familiar Spirits/Animals

Schizophrenia Patients

Caroline , NC / September 16, 2024

Change/Normalization of Trans People

Bigotry

Trans People Oppression/Violence

Anonymous , CA / September 2024

Religion

Liberal Ideas

Gay/Trans Community

Kristin , CA / September 2024

Cat Eating

Political Agenda

Haitian Americans

Nick , VA / September 15, 2024

Loss of White Power

BLM

People of Color

Anonymous , MA / September 14, 2024

Donald Trump's Fascist Dictatorship

2020 Election Coup On Government

Kamala Harris

Anonymous , MA / September 14, 2024

Immigration

Springfield Pet Eating Rumor

The Hatian Community

Yulitza , Miami, FL / September 14, 2024

Minorities Overtaking Majority

Affirmative Action

Non-White Women, Immigrants, LGBTQIA+

L. Metter , CT / September 2024

Indoctrination of Children

Conservative Views, Lack of Education

Drag Queens

Hannah P. , PA / September 12, 2024

Being Scammed

Scam Calls Made By Fake Company

Elderly People

Elijah , OR / September 10, 2024

COVID-19

Vaccine

Non-Vaccinated

Tami , CA / September 2024

Loss of Supremacy (Racial)

Donald Trump

Anti-Immigration/Refugees

Morrey , NE / September 2024

Different Religion

October 7th Attacks

Muslims/Jews

Salma , MA / September 2024

Social Change

Trump Admin

Trans Folks

Melissa , PA / July 2024

Being Oppressed

Being Different

Republicans/Conservatives

Anonymous , MA / September 6, 2024

Women Losing Rights

Trans Women Joining Women's Sports

Trans Community and Supporters

Artie , IL / September 6, 2024

Economic Crisis

Hate Speech

Immigrants

Alexandra and Francisco , Mexico / September 2024

Dying

Overly Popular But Few Stories

Sharks

Lala , VA / September 5, 2024

Inflation

Veterinary Costs

Veterinarians

Yumeko , Minneapolis, MN / September 5, 2024

Husband Leaving Me

Baby Momma Drama

Step Children

Nicole , Nebraska / September 5, 2024

Middle East-Islam

9/11

Middle Easterners

Jackie , Ca / September 2024

Infection

COVID-19

Asians

Jackie , CA / September 2024

Losing His Position and Reputation In the Community

Illness of His Daughter

Witchcraft

Parris , Salem, Massachusetts / September 4, 2024

Make America Great Again

Democrats

Trump

Anonymous , MA / September 2024

Change

Covid/Economic Difficulties

Democrats

Penelope , Canada / September 2024

Terrorism

Gaza Bombing

Palestinians

Saunya , MA / September 2024

Impregnated by Enemy

Dehumanize Baby

Innocent Baby from Rape

Susie , MD / August 2024

Irrational Madman

Holocaust

Jews

Anonymous , MA / August 2024

Immigrants Crossing Border

Negative Impact on Economy

Immigrants are Problem

Marialejandra , MA / August 2024

Assassination Attempt

Secret Service Incompetence

Donald Trump

Chuck , NH / August 2024

COVID-19

2019

China

Daniel , NY / August 2024

white people

not being allowed to be racist

"because of woke"

Hardavius , Flint, Michigan / August 30, 2024

Kids Getting Stupid

Phones In School

The Interwebs

Burns , Blacksburg, VA / August 30, 2024

Communism

Biden/Harris

Trump

Caylin , Las Vegas, NV / August 30, 2024

Younger Generations Being Able to Afford to Live

A Lot of Jobs are No Longer Paying a Livable Wage

Younger Generation's Lack of Effort

Chance , VA / August 29, 2024

Education Becoming A Chore Not Privilege

Donald Trump Becoming President and Stripping Education Rights

Previous Educators

Anonymous , VA / August 29, 2024

Over population

border hopping

Mexicans

frankie , Sioux City / August 29, 2024

Covid

Trump

Asian Americans

S , VA / August 29, 2024

Dying

Overly popular but few stories

Sharks

Max , VA / August 29, 2024

Immigrants In the USA

Trump

Muslim People

AT , VA / August 29, 2024

Men Losing Rights / Dominance

Women Gaining Rights

Women

Isis , VA / August 29, 2024

Patriarchy

feminist communist jews & sexual revolution

White Men

Faith , MA / August 29, 2024

Terrorism

9/11

Arab Americans

Luis , CA / August 2024

Political Ideologies/Interpretations

Misinformation/Media Polarization

Trump

Jennifer , OK / August 28, 2024

Terrorism

9/11

Muslim Community

Aisha , NY / August 2024

Globalization

COVID

Asian Americans

David , MA / August 2024

Ocean

Sharks

Not Going In Ocean Because of Sharks

Addison , Utah / August 26, 2024

Xenophobia

Random Attacks

BIPOC Communities

Clara , GB / August 26, 2024

Sounds

Blowing Nose

Ceirra (Me)

Ceirra , MA / August 25, 2024

Crime

Radical Politics

Immigrants

Josalyne , MA / August 2024

Immigration

Trump

Immigrants

P. , MA / August 2024

Losing Jobs/Economy

Media

Immigrants

Laura , CA / August 2024

Tigrayans

Abiy Ahmed and Isaias Afwerki

Tigray People Genocide

Mahlet , NY / July 2024

Sexist Violence/Patriarchy

Confident Speech/Communication

Well-Intentioned Men

Anonymous , MA / August 24, 2024

Not Fitting In

Knowledge of Someone Doing Wrong

Canceled People (James Charles/David Dobrik)

Gaby , MA / August 2024

Immigration

Donald Trump's Rhetoric

Immigrants

Elizabeth , MD / August 2024

Violence

Falsely Blaming Those With Mental Illness

Those With Mental Illness

Randal , MN / August 2024

COVID

Hysteria of Asia/China

Misinformation of Asians

Eleni , Australia / August 2024

Crime

Disgust

No-Vax People

Polly , MA / August 20, 2024

Rituals; Unorthodox Religious Practices and Treatments

Protestant Reformation (1560)

Midwives

Anonymous , Scotland / August 19, 2024

Jews

Attack On Israel

Palestine

Anonymous , MA / August 2024

Men Losing Their Power and Control

Feminine Things Become Popular (i.e. Taylor Swift or Barbie)

Women

Kori , CA / August 18, 2024

The Other

Lots of Immigrants at the Border

Demonization of Hispanic/Latino/Spanish Speakers

Meghan , TX / August 2024

Homosexuality

Communism

Gay/Lesbian Gov. Employees

Anonymous , MA / August 2024

Terrorism

9/11

Muslim Community

Ace , MA / August 2024

Disease

Covid

Asians

Maria , TX / August 2024

The Other

Economic Uncertainty/COVID

Others, Aliens, Immigrants

Alyssa , TX / August 2024

Change

Pressure On Services

Immigrants

Jan , UK / August 2024

Another War From the Jews

Hitler's Paranoia/Fear/Jealousy

Jewish People

Jade , Canada / August 2024

Politics

Democrats

Trump

Pam , OH / August 13, 2024

God/Satan

Satanism

Satanists or Different Beliefs

Xena , NH / August 13, 2024

America first

Donald Trump

Middle class americans

Doug , CT / August 13, 2024

inability to find a job

economic recession/depression

Immigrants

Don , LA / August 13, 2024

Crime

Donald Trump

Immigrants

Anonymous , MA / August 2024

Straight People Will Become LGBTQ+

Ignorance-Superiority-Disgust-Resentment-Heartlessness-Inclusiveness

LGBTQ+

Anonymous , USA / August 10, 2024

Immigration

Trump

Immigrants

Wade , Amsterdam / August 8, 2024

Harm From Vaccinations

Illness

CDC, Political Figures, and Medicine

Micahjah , USA / August 8, 2024

Immigrants in Small Boats

Right-Wing Politicians

Asylum Seekers

Della , UK / August 7, 2024

Societal Change

Mass Immigration

Immigrants

Asmaa , NRW, Germany / August 6, 2024

Economic Security

Global Warming

Liberal Policy

Kendra , CO / July 2024

Losing Control in Dominant White Male Society

Abortions

Democrats

Kendra , CO / July 2024

Covid

Fauci

No-Vax People

Tommy , Canada / August 2024

Losing Power

Medias

Freedom of Speech

Rosalia , NY / August 2024

Demonization of Refugees

Immigrants

Foreigners

Steve , England / August 2024

Interwar Loss of German and Austrian Glory

Versailles Treaty

Jews

Elizabeth , AK / August 2, 2024

Fog Batches

Gravity Insight

Moon and Cloudy Humor

C.J. , Akron, OH / August 2, 2024

Death in Schools/Public Places

Gun violence in schools

Guns

Anonymous , MA / July 31, 2024

Financial Trouble from Great Depression

German Great Depression/Propaganda

Jewish People

Zoe , WA / July 2024

White US Population Replaced

Climate/Political Crisis South of US

Immigrants

Alice , MA / July 2024

Losing French Language in Quebec

Statistics On Language/Law to Restrict English

English and Immigrants

Dayle , MA / July 2024

Sharks

Steven Spielberg

Shark Species

Carolane , Canada / July 2024

Immigration

Trump

Immigrants

Jane , MO / July 2024

Communists

Rise of the Soviet Union

Hollywood Stars and the Military

Tammy , PA / July 25, 2024

Loss of Control

Bodily Autonomy

Women

Deanna , AL / July 25, 2024

Economic Challenges

Donald Trump

Immigrants

Sonia , MN / July 2024

Hamas

Israel

42K Palestinian Civilians

Anonymous , MA / July 2024

COVID-19

Media Coverage and Government Communication

Facemasks and Social Distancing, Vaccines

Willem , Amsterdam / July 20, 2024

Des Plaies Sur La Peau

Psoriasis

La Victime

Melanie , Montréal, Québec / July 20, 2024

Unknown

Racism

Palestine

Anonymous , MA / July 2024

War With Germany

WW2

German Immigrants

Payden , NY / July 2024

Violence

Violent Actions

Video Games

Raina , VT / July 2024

Chaos in America

Social Movements

Liberal People Speaking Out

Rebecca , VT / July 2024

Quality of Life

Ignorance

We the People

Tarik , NC / July 2024

Change

Political Ambition

Immigrants

Jeff , CA / July 2024

Loss of Identity as Christian Nation

Stonewall, Legalization of Gay Marriage, Trans People

LGBTQIA+

John , TX / July 2024

Economic Crisis

Hitler

Jewish People Genocide

Nick , Belgium / July 2024

Infection

COVID

Asian (Chinese) Community

Anonymous , CA / July 2024

Non "Christian" Family Structure

Trump Administration/Cult

Queer, Gay, Trans Folks

Melissa , PA / July 2024

Terrorism

9/11

Muslims

Kiera , MA / July 2024

Immigrants

Trump/MAGA

Hispanics and Non-White

Anonymous , MA / July 2024

Groomers and Child Predators

Crazy People

Trans Discrimination and LGBTQIA+ Hate

Anonymous , U.S. / July 14, 2024

Babies Dying

A Spike In the Number of Deaths of Premature Babies In a Neonatal Ward in the UK

A Young Female Nurse; Lucy Letby

Belinda , Woy Woy, NSW, Australia / July 14, 2024

Border Crisis

Political Narrative

Hispanic Immigrants

Annette , MO / June 28, 2024

COVID

Originated in China

Asian People

Julie , The Netherlands / July 2024

Financial Security

Immigration

All Immigrants

Jason , CO / July 2024

Endoctrination of Children

Right Wing Extremists

Transgender Americans

Alexander , Lincoln, NE / July 12, 2024

Middle East

9/11

Arab/Middle Eastern People

Melissa , CA / July 2024

COVID

Fear of Infection

Asian Americans

Dane , GA / July 2024

Loss of perceived control

Oct. 7th, 2023

Jewish people

Rhonda , Canada / July 10, 2024

Loss of White Power

Trumpism (MAGA)

Democrats and Opponents

Cat , Illinois / July 9, 2024

Immigrants

Politics/Politicians

MAGA

Sita , Denmark / July 2024

Infection, Sickness, and Death

COVID-19 Virus

Asians (ex. Chinese)

Maya B , NY / July 7, 2024

Addiction/Overdose

Big Pharma

Disabled Folks, LGBTQIA+, POC

Danielle , PA / July 2024

Infection

COVID

Chinese/Asians

Anonymous , MA / July 2024

Infection/Death

COVID-19

Anthony Fauci/Doctors

Renee , MA / July 2024

Conspiracy Theories

Death of John O'Keefe

Karen Read

Erica M. , Massachusetts / July 4, 2024

Sharia Law

2001 Al Qaeda Attacks

Muslims

Murtaza , TX / July 2024

Economic Anxiety

Trump

Immigrants

Jeff , WA / July 2024

Loss of Democracy

Biden

Trump

Patrick , IL / July 2024

Sudan's government fearing loss of power

RSF turning against Sudan's government

Sudanese civilians

Zahra , TX / June 30, 2024

Loss of homeland for Israelis

Balfour declaration

Palestinians

Zaynab , TX / June 30, 2024

Another Race Getting Ahead

A Successful Black Person

Hatred and Injustice of the Black Man

Amaiya , SC / June 29, 2024

Terrorism

9/11

Muslims

Louis , NY / June 2024

Perceived Victims

Woke Media

All Republicans

Danielle , PA / June 2024

Losing Jobs

Immigration/Trump

Immigrants/Refugees

Emily , CA / July 2024

Fascism

WWII

Afrikaners

Louise , South Africa / June 25, 2024

Grooming Children

Media

Drag Queens, LGBTQ+

Thomas , Canada / June 24, 2024

Sickness

Covid

Government

Dillon , CA / June 2024

Loss of Jobs

Trump

Illegal Immigrants

Allen , NE / June 2024

Israel

October Massacre

Jews

Linda , NJ / June 2024

Disease

Covid

Asians

Olive , Trinidad and Tobago / June 2024

Fear of Falling

Trip On Sidewalk

People Who Made Sidewalk

Ben , PA / June 2024

Souther States Losing Their Slaves/Control of African Americans

MLK Standing Up

African American Community

Addison , FL / June 2024

Loss of Christianity

"Bigger than Jesus" - John Lennon

The Beatles

Elizabeth , MA / June 17, 2024

Islamophobia

9/11/2001

Muslims and Arabs

Genevieve , CA / June 16, 2024

Terrorism

9/11

Muslims

Heidi , NY / June 2024

Infection

COVID

Chinese

Heidi , NY / June 2024

Communism/Prejudice

Hitler/Nazism/Differences

Jewish People

Tina , TX / June 2024

Submit a Witch Hunt

Scapegoat
Example: for Massachusetts, put in MA