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
Armageddon
Fr
North Korea
Timothy Dalton , Taco Bell / July 11, 2019
Poor economy
Trump
Half the nation
Shelly , Ma / July 11, 2019
Fear: of Lack, of Discomfort
Artificial Scarcity + Potential Non-Access
Must Work Hard to Earn Your Place
Rei , NY / July 11, 2019
Liberals
Liberals
Conservatives
Mike , New Mexico / July 11, 2019
Failing
Laziness
Anxiety
Melissa , Melbourne / July 11, 2019
Death
Fear
Dying
Fermin , Los Angeles / July 11, 2019
DEATH
CREEPY NOISES
NEW YORK
ELIZABETH , CA / July 11, 2019
Financial loss
Sick
Medical history
Ashley , Rocklin, CA / July 11, 2019
spiders
on my hand
stay away from spider places
ash , melbourne / July 11, 2019
Economic
Immigrants
Mexicans/Latinos/Non-Whites
Angelia C. , Topeka, KS / July 11, 2019
Heights
Bad Mantainence
Tradies
Aman Rane , Australia / July 11, 2019
9 11 attack
Saudi Arabia
muslim
Kaylee , CO / June 06, 2019
witches
fear
townies
salem , massachusetts / June 06, 2019
Homosexuals
The Ellen Show
Christianity
Margaret S , CA / June 06, 2019
poor economy
hitler
Jews
Alexandra Herweg , Germany / June 06, 2019
America's economy losing domination
Trade war with China
Chinese students and scholars in America
Joey Zhou , MA / June 06, 2019
Disappeared Civility
Trump
Half the nation
Jon.Darling , Long Island NY / June 06, 2019
Nuclear War
Trump
North Korea
Abby , Dallas, TX / May 23, 2019
Attack from terrorist group
Loud bangs
Middle Easterners
Jovanni , Ca / May 19, 2019
Abortions
Humans
Trump
ashley h , Newport news, VA / May 16, 2019
Drug abuse
Mugging
Homeless people
Ashley Snyder , Va / May 15, 2019
overpowering of jobs
trump
immigration/ mexicans
Deedee Ochoa , CA / May 14, 2019
Outsider Elected President
Donald J. Trump
Russia Collusion
Christine , NY / May 14, 2019
Drug Abuse
Hitler
Jews
Raj , USA / May 13, 2019
War
Germany
Nuclear Winter
Jeff , WI / May 13, 2019
terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Lindsey C , CT / May 12, 2019
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Heidi , New York / May 10, 2019
nuclear war
trump
north koreans
Tanner Granacker , ct / May 10, 2019
terrorism
9/11 boston marathon
islam
Lucy F , MA / May 09, 2019
Communist sympathizer
A lot of public support for Joseph Stalin, and Vladimir Putin
Says she’s socialist
Kareen Pierre-Louis , NY / May 09, 2019
Nuclear War
Trump
North Koreans
Michael Lopez , New Jersey / May 07, 2019
nuclear war
Cuban missile crisis
Russia or North korea
john , NJ / May 06, 2019
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Stephanie , New York / May 05, 2019
Chaos and Bankruptcy Within Africa
The British
Rival Tribes
Zed Chen , MA / April 30, 2019
Terrorism
Trump
Muslims
Kris , CO / April 30, 2019
nuclear war
9/11
isalm
catherine , MA / April 29, 2019
Conspiracy of Government
jfk
Lee Harvey Olswalkd
REbecca , Australia / April 29, 2019
Sin
Strange Activity
Witches
Salem Witch Trials , MA / April 18, 2019
God/Devil
Ergot Poisoning
150 accused
Salem Witch Trials , MA / April 16, 2019
communism
Sick girl
Women practicing witch craft
The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 , MA / April 15, 2019
Terrorism
September 11,2001
Muslims
Test , MA / April 12, 2019
terrorism
september 11 2001
muslims
jon , ma / April 11, 2019
Loss of jobs
Robots
Mexicans
Ray , MA / April 11, 2019
Infection
AIDS
The Gay Community
Jacquelyn Ahmad , IN / April 08, 2019
Death
Hunger
Jews
Mehki , New York / April 08, 2019
The World Ending
Climate Change
Humanity
Chris , Florida / April 03, 2019
Mexican goverment
Bad president
Trump
Nessie May , MA / April 01, 2019
god/devil
aids
muslims
jeff rosenblat , austrila / April 01, 2019
Gender Equity
Misogyny/Toxic Masculinity
Women
CT , Santa Cruz, CA / March 26, 2019
Japan
Pearl Harbor
Japanese Americans
Salem Witch Muesem , MA / March 21, 2019
God/Devil
Dr.Griggs
150 Accused Townspeople
Abigail Williams , MA / March 20, 2019
terrorism
September 11, 2001
muslims
Alaina Schools , PA / March 19, 2019
Infection
Aids
The gay community
Tammie billado , Vt / March 18, 2019
witch
sickness
tituba
wyatt , WA / March 14, 2019
outsider
women's power
women
salem witch hunt , MA / March 09, 2019
Infection
AIDS
Gay community
Sarah Franklin , MA / March 07, 2019
God/Devil
AIDS
Black Listed Citizens
Rey , CA / March 06, 2019
Of witches
Witch trials
19 people killed
Salem Witchunts , Salem / March 05, 2019
god/devil
dr.griggs
150 accused townspeople
sam , ma / March 04, 2019
God/Devil
Dr.Griggs
150 accused townspeople
Brian , MO / March 01, 2019
imprisonment
freedom
slavery
ashley , rochester new york / February 28, 2019
infection
aids
the gay community
andrew , ny / February 26, 2019
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Ahmed , Calgary, Alberta / February 21, 2019
God/Devil
Dr. Griggs
150 accused townspeople
Lourdes Richardson , Louisburg / February 19, 2019
Crazies
Asylums
Movies
Jess , PA / February 18, 2019
God
Dr. Griggs
150 Accused townspeople
SWM , MA / February 15, 2019
God/Devil
Dr. Griggs
150 accused townspeople
July 18, 2018 , MA / February 07, 2019
God/Devil
Dr.Griggs
150 accused townspeople
Kyleigh Rodgers , MA / February 04, 2019
Depression
New study
Vaccines
Me , America / February 04, 2019
god/ devil
dr. griggs
150 accused townspeople
god , ma / February 03, 2019
test de peur
Pearl Harbor
Citoyens inscrits à la liste noire
TitubaMa , Massachussetss / February 02, 2019
Terrorist Attack
9/11
Muslims
Text , NYC / January 27, 2019
Communism
Liteally Everyone
Russians
Bryan Lynch , USA / January 27, 2019
water pollution
lead pipes
water company
Alonzo Ross-Brown , Providence, Rhode Islan / January 15, 2019
Spirits
Demons
Death
Gilbert DeLaCruz , Texas / January 14, 2019
devil
unknown illness
witches
Ayleks , FL / January 09, 2019
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Thomas , Salem / January 08, 2019
Socialism
Republican propaganda
Bernie Sanders
Thomas , Salem / January 08, 2019
Japan
Pearl harbor
Japanese Americans
Victoria , MA / January 06, 2019
good/evil
dr. Griggs
150 accused townspeople
Nicole Vanapalli , TX / December 31, 2018
Terrorism
9/11
Muslim Community
JAMR , VA / December 30, 2018
Christianity
Evangelists
Witches
Morgan Fu , New Zealand / December 22, 2018
Immigration
The Boarder Wall/Asylum Caravan
Central Americans/Latino Community
Ana , MA / December 20, 2018
infection
aids
the gay community
english , CA / December 17, 2018
god/Devil
Dr.Griggs
150 Accused Townspeople
jack , TN / December 13, 2018
islam
9/11
muslim
M C Jeauneau , France / December 12, 2018
communism
joe mccarthy
black listed citizens
D Joseph , Washington DC / December 11, 2018
Terrorism
9/11
The Muslim Population
Sneha Saggurthi , MD / December 11, 2018
witches
disease
townspeople
Salem Witch Trials , salem / December 04, 2018
Terrorisum
9/11
Iraq
Henry Radoc , Mn / December 04, 2018
japan
pearl harbor
japanesse americans
aldsfj , wi / December 04, 2018
Boer war
South africa
The British taking over
Jessica , Kimberley,South Africa / December 04, 2018
death
feminists
Donald Trump
Bobby , NH / December 04, 2018
God/Devil
Dr.Griggs
150 Accused Townspeople
Lillian ward , Charlotte, NC / December 03, 2018
god/devil
dr. griggs
150 accused townspeople
donna , NY / December 03, 2018
God/Devil
Dr. Griggs
150 accused townspeople
Pamela Heath , MA / December 03, 2018
Jews
Hitler
Death camps
A , France / December 01, 2018
infection
AIDS
the gay community
z , ok / November 30, 2018
Infection
Aids
Thé gay community
Ange , USA / November 30, 2018
Socialism
ANTIFA
All Urban Youth
Andre Semidey , Portland, OR / November 30, 2018
Communism
HUAC/ Joe McCarthy
Black Listed Citizens
Emma Borden , MA / November 29, 2018
Being different and violating religious beliefs
Being open and wanting attention
LGBTQ
Ally P Mady W Jake O Brady M , MASS / November 29, 2018
Competition in the workforce
Equal pay and more women working
Woman
James Andrew Daniel kayla matt , Millbury / November 29, 2018
Terrorism
Attacks
Muslims
School project , Massachusetts / November 29, 2018
Change in lifestyle
Race wage gap closing
African Americans
Kamiren, Leah, and Diandra , Ma / November 29, 2018
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
emily , MA / November 29, 2018
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Anna, Emily, Hannah , MA / November 29, 2018
security
media
immigrants
taylor , MA / November 29, 2018
Replacement
More Educated women in the workforce
Women
Brandon , MA / November 29, 2018
Devil
Dr. Griggs
150 accused townspeople
Sara , NH / November 28, 2018
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Catriona M , UK / November 28, 2018
terrorists
9/11
muslims
Eric , Los Angeles / November 27, 2018
Communism
Joe McCarthy
Black listed citizens
Wil , Nj / November 27, 2018
communism
huac/joe Mccarthy
black listed citizens
swm , ma / November 27, 2018
Infection
AIDS
The Gay Community
Maya , OH / November 26, 2018
God/Devil
Dr. Griggs
150 Accused Townspeople
Stamatiou Anastasia , GR / November 22, 2018
God/Devil
Mr.Griggs
150 accused townspeople
Morgan , BC / November 21, 2018
God/Devil
Dr. Griggs
150 Accused Townspeople
Sabrina Pilotti , MA / November 19, 2018
communism
hauc/joe mccarthy
black listed citizens
florew , ma / November 14, 2018
Illness
Isolation
Hugh and Mary Parsons 1651 Witches in Springfield, MS
Jeanie Roberts , TX / November 13, 2018
Japan
Pearl Harbor
Japanese Americans
Samarah , Nj / November 13, 2018
infection
AIDS
The Gay community
PM , MA / November 13, 2018
Devil
Dr. Griggs
150 Accused Townpeople
Salem Witch Trials , MA / November 12, 2018
Communism
HUAC/Joe McCarthy
Black Listed Citizens
Cady , MI / November 12, 2018
God/devil
Dr. Griggs
150 accused townspeople
Alison , MA / November 11, 2018
God/Devil
Dr. Griggs
150 Accused Townspeople
Kendall , MA / November 10, 2018
God/devil
Dr. Griggs
150 accused townspeople
Amanda , MA / November 06, 2018
devil
Dr. Griggs
150 accused town people
Ashley , MA / November 06, 2018
God/Devil
Dr. Griggs
150 accused townspeople
Mary , PA / November 06, 2018
Communism
Joe McCarthy
Blacklisted Citizens
Shelly Pollard , Texas / November 06, 2018
Japan
AIDS
Japanese Americans
Juan , CA / November 06, 2018
sexual assualt
Me, Too Movement
Famous, Rich Men
Chelsea , Texas / November 04, 2018
God/devil
Dr. Griggs
150 accused Townspeople
Timmy , Pa / November 04, 2018
god/devil
peal harbor
Japanese Americans
liz , ca / November 02, 2018
god/devil
Dr. Griggs
150 accused townspeople
hailey , MA / November 01, 2018
god/devil
dr.griggs
150 accused townspeople
john , ma / October 31, 2018
Communism
Joe mcarthy
Black listed citizens
Jennifer , Mo / October 31, 2018
Communism
AIDS
The Gay Community
fdahblskfjhlfhsgdljhg , MA / October 31, 2018
Communism
Pearl Harbor
Black listed citizens
Jkveqchb , MA / October 31, 2018
terrorism
9/11/01
Muslims
Clyde thompson , UT / October 31, 2018
Communism
HUAC/Joe McCarthy
Black Listed Citizens
Damien Dunn , MS / October 31, 2018
communism
seizure
accused towns people
Anthony , MA / October 31, 2018
infection
aids
the gay community
Siara , CT / October 31, 2018
japan
pearl harbor
japanese americans
brock , utah / October 30, 2018
Japan
Aids
The Gay Community
Alec Stanton , CT / October 30, 2018
Japan
Pearl Harbor
Japanese Americans
eddie Jackson , weymouth ma / October 29, 2018
Middle East
9/11
Muslim americans
Mariah LaBarbera , New Jersey / October 28, 2018
God/devil
Pearl harbor
Japan
Brian , Ny / October 28, 2018
God/Devil
Dr.Griggs
150 Accused Townspeople
Kathleen , PA / October 25, 2018
God/Devil
Dr. Griggs
150 Accused Townspeople
Buff , VA / October 25, 2018
Infection
Aids
Gay Community
Kevin , Los Angeles / October 24, 2018
God/devil
Dr. Griggs
150 accused townspeople
Adair , SWM, MA / October 24, 2018
God/Devil
Dr.Griggs
150 Accused Townspeople
Neeka , Texas / October 23, 2018
communism
Cuban Missile Crisis
Embargo
Nancy , GA / October 22, 2018
god
girls
women
tituba , salem MA / October 22, 2018
Witch
Getting Sick
Women
Witch Hunt , MA / October 22, 2018
Financial hardship
Great Recession
Immigrants & poor people
Dan , CT / October 21, 2018
Japan
Pearl Harbor
Japanese Americans
Shelby , Florida / October 20, 2018
God
Dr.Griggs
150 Accused Townspeople
The Pope , MA / October 17, 2018
infection
aids
the gay community
virginia , ms / October 17, 2018
sexual harrasment
me-too movement
Judge Brett Kavanaugh
Charlie Jones , Cleveland Ohio / October 13, 2018
God/Devil
dr griggs
150 accused people
Frances , MA / October 11, 2018
God/Devil
Dr. Griggs
150 Accused Townspeople
Steven Coutrier , MA / October 11, 2018
Infection
AIDS
The Gay Community
Firstname Lastname , MA / October 09, 2018
Communism
HUAC/Joe McCarthy
Black Listed Citizens
Melissa Zielinski , NY / October 09, 2018
Communism
HUAC/Joe McCarthy
Black Listed Citizens
Christopher , NJ / October 09, 2018
communism
Joe Mcarthy
Black list citizens
diego , pintoç / October 08, 2018
Infection
Pearl Harbor
Black Listed Citizens
Morgan , New Jersey / October 07, 2018
God/Devil
Dr. Griggs
150 accused townspeople
AM , CT / October 06, 2018
Diversity
Trump
Immigrants
Jennifer Sunderland , RI / October 04, 2018
Infection
Aids
The Gay Community
Jesse , New York / October 04, 2018
communisim
Joe McCarthy
black listed citizens
lindsey , ohio / October 03, 2018
Infection
AIDS
The Gay Community
Kylee Bishop , IL / October 03, 2018
Japan
Pearl harbor
Japanese americal
Cody , Ma / October 03, 2018
God/Devil
Dr. Griggs
150 Accused Townspeople
ashley , CA / October 02, 2018
god/devil
dr. griggs
150 townspeople
a , ma / October 02, 2018
Japan
Pearl Harbor
Japanese Americans
Justin Knighton , CA / October 01, 2018
Devil
Dr. Griggs
150 accused people
NA , MA / October 01, 2018
God/Devil
Dr. Griggs
150 Accused people townspeople
Frances Derge , Frederick, MD / September 30, 2018
Devil
behavior
Witches
na , ma / September 29, 2018
Communism
HUAC/Joe McCarthy
Black Listed Citizens
Jeremy , MA / September 28, 2018
God
Dr.Griggs
150 Accused Townspeople
Carlos , MA / September 28, 2018
Communism
HUAC
Black listed citizens
Joe Mcarthy , MA / September 27, 2018
Communism
HUAC
Black listed citizens
Joe Mcarthy , MA / September 27, 2018
Japan
Pearl Harbor
Japanese Americans
Karli , NY / September 27, 2018
Japan
Pearl Harbor
Japanese Americans
Kelly , KY / September 27, 2018
witches
fits
witch hunts
salem , massachusetts / September 27, 2018
witch
Dr. Griggs
150 Accused Townspeople
KB , MA / September 27, 2018
japan
pearl harbor
japanese americans
david , wv / September 27, 2018
god/devil
Dr.giggs
150 accused people
natalie , SWM, Ma / September 26, 2018
Devil
affliction
Rebecca Nurse
Gwen , IA / September 26, 2018
God/Devil
Dr.Griggs
150 Accused Townspeople
Ramey , Texas / September 26, 2018
Japan
Pearl Harbor
Japanese Americans
Anthony , SC / September 25, 2018
God/Devil
Dr.Griggs
150 Accused Townspeople
Nina , MA / September 25, 2018
God/Devil
Dr. Griggs
150 Accused Townspeople
Ralph , MA / September 25, 2018
God/Devil
AIDS
150 Accused Townspeople
Elisa , MA / September 25, 2018
infection
aid
the gay community
chasity , Georgia / September 25, 2018
Communism
HUAC/Joe McCarthy
Black Listed Citizens
Cameron , Texas / September 24, 2018
devil
dr. griggs
150 accused towns people
sarah , MA / September 24, 2018
Communism
HUAC/joe mccarthy
Black listed citizens
Adrienne evans , Nh / September 22, 2018