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
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
Loss of Individual Freedom
Repressive Republican Regime
Theocracy
Karen , UT / April 10, 2020
death/illness
coronavirus
mandated vaccines
Olivia , California / April 10, 2020
Job loss in Germany between the World Wars
Hitler inspiring extreme Nationalism
The Jews
Maddy K , NYC / April 10, 2020
Terror
9/11
Muslim Community
Jayden , MA / March 2020
Xenophobia
Coronavirus
Asian Americans
Hunter , TX / March 2020
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Tommy W. , FL / March 10, 2020
Nuclear Annihilation
Cold War
Communists
Tenhir Iyer , CA / March 10, 2020
Coronavirus
Mass Hoarding and Idiocy
Chinese
Rebecca , TX / March 10, 2020
Communism in the US
McCarthy
Supposed communists
Rachael , MA / March 10, 2020
Getting Corona Virus
Quarantine
China and Italy
Quinten Kouwenhoven , CA / March 10, 2020
Children dying
Stoneman Douglas High Schooll shooting
Guns
Parkland school shooting , Parkland, FL / March 10, 2020
Fear of being alone
Trump Election
Immigrants And Women And LGBTQ Community
Mario , Fl / March 10, 2020
AIDS
A growth of AIDS in the LGBT community
Homosexuals
Karina , FL / March 10, 2020
terrorism
911
muslims
jack s , fl / March 10, 2020
Money is disappearing
Jewish businesses were thriving
Jewish people
Holocaust , Germany / March 10, 2020
christianity in ancient rome
emperor nero
christians
heather , Michigan / March 10, 2020
Unplanned Pregnancies
Careless People
Unborn Babies
Gracie , KS / March 10, 2020
Xenophobia
Corona Virus
Asian People
Covid-19 Repercussions , Globally / March 09, 2020
Immigrants
Trump
Mexicans and Other Foreigners
Lil , NY / February 2020
Inequality
Fake News
White Males
Cliff Davis , CT / February 2020
Pandemics
Coronavirus
Asian People
Manny , Canada / February 2020
Terrorism and Extremists
9/11 Attacks
Muslims
Brian , MA / February 2020
Economic Instability
World Pandemic
Increase in Asian Hate Crimes
Alexandria Jones , KY / February 2020
Illness
Coronavirus
All Chinese People
Alli , MA / February 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
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
Immigrants
Make America Great Again
Border Camps and Visa Rejections
Bonnie Kay B. , TX / October 6
New Conservative Judge
False Accusation
Confirmation Hearing/ Kavanaugh Trial
Eric , CA / February 2020
Corona Virus
Masks
China
Squiddy , Swagville, WV / February 10, 2020
Black male power & strength
Obama presidency
Unarmed black men
Nichole Wofford , Northampton / February 09, 2020
being poor
hitler
muslims
marissa , Iowa / February 09, 2020
homophobia
gay people
democrats
John , California / February 09, 2020
Loss of Economic Status
Trump
Immigrants/People of Color
Anonymous , Canada / August 1
U.S. Constitution
President Trump
Liberalism
Anonymous , NA / 2018
2016 Election
Donald Trump
Witch Hunt of Liberals
J , NA / 2018
SOCIALISM
DEMOCRATS
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP
ANNA , NY / February 04, 2020
Immigrants
Donald Trump
Mexican Americans
Marion , MI / February 04, 2020
Truth
Accurate reporting in the press
The Free Press
John , PA / February 04, 2020
Parent's child being "abnormal"
Autism
Vaccines
Hayley Bray , NJ / February 04, 2020
Immigration
Trump
All immigrants
E , FL / February 04, 2020
Death
Sick Girl
Witches
Dave Martinez , Location / February 04, 2020
impeachment
democrats
fake news
Cooper S. , Tejas / February 04, 2020
Global Warming
Al Gore
Trump
Rick , Kaysville / February 04, 2020
Donald Trump
Everthing Trump says/does
Trump Voters harrassed/attacked
Ed Walters , TX / February 04, 2020
Loss of cultural norms in Iran
Iranian Womens suffrage
Iranian Women
Jack , USA / February 04, 2020
Unemployment
Jobs outsourced abroad
Immigrants
John Penty , Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK / February 04, 2020
Mass persecution
The holocaust
Innocent Germans
Adolf S , Poland / February 04, 2020
unexpected events
illness
witches
Salem witch trial , Salem, Massachusetts / February 04, 2020
drug abuse
hitler
jews
josh east , GA / February 04, 2020
homosexuals
the ellen show
christianity
unknown , GA / February 04, 2020
The death of traditional media
Jokes taken out of context
Pewdiepie/online entertainers
True , PA / February 04, 2020
Responsibility
Pregnancy
Unborn babies
Kathy , MO / February 04, 2020
Change
Election
Donald Trump
Kathy , MO / February 04, 2020
people who are diffrent
death camps
Jews, Disabaled, Sick people, Ect
Stacey , AK / February 04, 2020
School Shooters
School Shooter Played Nintendo Once
Video Games
Collin , FL / February 04, 2020
Mendacious, intransigent bosses
Others claiming power or authority
Lower-status employees
Lia , CA / February 04, 2020
Powerful Women
presidential election
Hilary Clinton
Eileen , MA / February 04, 2020
South of the Border Immigration
Trump
Undocumented Men, Women & Children
Michelle , CO / February 04, 2020
Hate, racism, Trumps dictatorship
Trump/KKK
Canada
Michael , MA / February 04, 2020
Violence
Mass shootings
Video Games
Destiny , IN / February 04, 2020
Communism/Workers Party (PT)
Lula in Brazil
Left wing
D , NY / February 04, 2020
Ghosts
Clairvoyance
Witches/ Demonology
Stef M. , Bakersfield, CA / February 04, 2020
infection
aids
gay community
rachel , MA / February 04, 2020
Political Correctness
Democrats/Liberal Socialists
President Trump, best since Reagan
Mitch Smith , NY / February 04, 2020
Rape/Murder
Trump
Immigrants
Miranda McLemore , NC / February 04, 2020
Mass Shootings
Misguided Mental Illness
Guns
Carrie , CT / February 04, 2020
Stranger Danger
Citizens arrested & accused of sex crimes
Registered Sex Offenders
Chad , NY / February 04, 2020
Economic Recession
Trump campaign
"China stealing jobs"
Harvard Li , MA / February 04, 2020
nazis
economy
jews
Hitler , Germany / February 04, 2020
Change
Nationalist Liar
Immigrants
Chandler , IL / February 04, 2020
Differences
Immigration
Latinos
Stacy , Ne / February 04, 2020
Homosexuals
The Ellen show
Christianity
Margret S , CA / February 04, 2020
AR-15
Gun violence
Law abiding gun owners
MC , NJ / February 04, 2020
Safety and Health of Family
Drug Trafficking
Mexicans
Kenneth , WA / February 04, 2020
Fake news
Politicians
Media
Florine/Valentin , France / February 04, 2020
Impeachment
Ukrainian allegations
Democrats
Astrid , France / February 04, 2020
Change
Ignorance
Everyone
Harry W , NY / February 04, 2020
Losing National Security
American removal of troops in Syria
Kurds
Astrid , France / February 04, 2020
Crimes/national security
Immigrants
Homeless people
Clara , FRANCE / February 04, 2020
Death/Starvation
Economic crises
Nobilty
Emile , FRANCE / February 04, 2020
Islamophobia
attacks
headscarfed women
Lindsay , France / February 04, 2020
Miserables conditions
Gilets Jaunes
French Government
Gilets Jaunes’s mouvement , France / February 04, 2020
World war 3
Trump
The wall
Jessyjames , MO / February 04, 2020
Not safe in our country
Donald Trump
Everyone who is democratic
Josie L. , WI / February 04, 2020
Terrorism and lack of work
Immigrants
Trump
Ben , NY / February 04, 2020
Taliban
September 11 attacks
Muslims
Abi F , IN / February 04, 2020
Psychopaths and mentally disturbed people
Mass shootings
Violent video games
Nhaj , WI / January 31, 2020
Coruption
Traian Basescu
Romanian politicians and businessmen opposing Basescu
Victor , Romania / January 31, 2020
Tryanny
Trump
VOTERS for Trump
Robert , MA / January 31, 2020
Racism
White cops
African-American
Madeleine , DXB / January 31, 2020
rape/assult
rape/assult in a small town
womens trust
kathryn , MI / January 31, 2020