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
School
Peer Pressure
Parents and Teachers
Angie , NJ / January 8, 2025
Communism
Joseph McCarthy
Government Employees, Suspected Communists, etc.
Anonymous , United States / January 8, 2025
Criticism Online
Cancel Culture
Influencers
Adalina , NJ / January 8, 2025
Loss of Reproductive Rights
Roe v Wade Overturned
Trump
Alana , NJ / January 7, 2025
Masculinity
Insecurity
Transgender Women/Men
Madison , NJ / January 7, 2025
Minority Religions and Cultures
Economic Instability
Jewish People
Eli , MA / January 6, 2025
Educated Women
Maternal Morbidity/Mortality
Midwives
Lynnet , LA / January 5, 2025
Transgender Community
Religious Right Wing
Human Beings And Legislative Violence
Anonymous , CO / January 2, 2024
Neurodivergence
Alien
People With Autism
Jasper B. , Nashville, TN / December 30, 2024
Italian-Australians
Italy's Axis Power Status
Italians in Internment Camps
Anthony , MA / December 2024
Political Clout
Fake Story On Eating Cats and Dogs
Immigrants
Anonymous , NY / December 2024
Different Religions
Dictatorship: Hitler
Jewish People
Anna-Mai , Wales / December 2024
Racism and Xenophobia
Donald Trump
Haitian Asylum Seekers
Hsu Chen , CA / December 2024
Lost Jobs
Importing Chinese Laborers
Chinese and Chinese Exclusion Act
Maya , CA / December 2024
Transgender Community
Religious Right Wing
Human Beings and Legislative Violence
Spencer , CO / December 2024
Death
People
God/Devil
Kate , MA / December 2024
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Amy , PA / December 2024
Supernatural
Religion
Witches
Myles , MA / December 23, 2024
No Soul (Idea or Perception)
Eradicating the Different
Native Canadian Medicine Women
Jessica , Canada / December 2024
Misfortune/Misery
Culture (Sorcery)
Albino People in Western Africa
Audrey , UK / December 2024
Poverty/Job Loss
Recession/Inflation
Immigrants
Lindsey , MA / December 2024
Government
Truth
Witches
Cynthia , KY / December 20, 2024
Not Being Able to Afford to Live
Bad Economy/Inflation
Immigrants
Ella , PA / December 2024
Death
Seeing Other People Die
The Devil
Juliana , DE / December 19, 2024
Science/Competence
Donald Trump
Immigrants
AI , NJ / December 2024
War
9/11
Muslims
Warren , VT / December 14, 2024
Free Speech-Critical Questioning of Power
Scarcity Mindset
Neurodivergents-Nonconformists
Hali , CA / December 12, 2024
Hispanics Taking White People´s Jobs
Influx Of Immigrants Into United States
Immigrants
Anya , CA / December 12, 2024
9/11
Inside Job
Muslims
Warren , VT / December 12, 2024
Jewish Conspiracy
War Against Hamas
American Jews/Israelis
Alex , ME / December 10, 2024
Supernatural
Religion
Witches
Anonymous , Salem, MA / December 6, 2024
Animals
Child Falling Into Pen
Harambe
Harambe , ID / December 6, 2024
Sickness
COVID-19 Pandemic
Asian Communities
Courtney , FL / December 2, 2024
Illegal Immigrants
Donald Trump
Migrant Travel Bans, "The Wall"
Brian , IN / December 2, 2024
Loss of National Identity
Influx of Immigrants
Immigrant Communities
Abbie , Canada / December 2024
Economy
Trump
Immigrants
Tom , ID / December 2024
Accountability
Gospel Preaching
Bible-Believing Christians
Sonny , TN / December 1, 2024
Chinese People
COVID-19
Asian Americans
Brandon , ID / November 2024
Lack of Control Over Kids
Opportunistic Politicians
Trans People/Anti-Trans Laws
Leo , OH / November 2024
UFO Panic in America
Senate Committee Hearing
Innocent Citizens
Lily Rose , Washington D.C. / November 30, 2024
Lack of Control Over Kids
Opportunistic Politicians
Trans People and Anti-Trans Laws
Leo , OH / November 2024
Minority Religions and Cultures
Economic Instability
Jewish People
Alainie , MA / November 2024
Being Judged
Social Media/Cancel Culture
Influencers/People Posting
Marie , MA / November 27, 2024
Chinese
COVID-19
Asian Americans
Brandon , ID / November 2024
Jews Taking Over Germany
Hitler
Jewish People
Aden , Germany / November 26, 2024
Israel's Occupation of Palestine
Protests Against Israel and Palestinian Genocide
Non-Israeli Jews Antisemitism
Anonymous , VA / November 26, 2024
Loss of Women's Rights
Politics
Trump
Rebekah , VA / November 26, 2024
Loss of Interest in Religion
Hateful Government
Women Seeking Abortions
Savannah , IL / November 2024
Fall of Germany
Hitler's Rise to Power
Jewish People
Rebekah B. , Yorktown, VA / November 26, 2024
Democracy
Donald Trump
Minorities
Karen , MA / November 2024
Immigrants/Minorities/Being Elevated Over White Men
Trump
Anyone But White Men
Kim , CT / November 2024
Losing
LeBron Leaving Cavaliers
LeBron James
Justin , GA / November 20, 2024
Immigrants/Education/Economy
Higher Egg Prices
Anybody Not A White Male
Kelly , CT / November 2024
Palestinian Occupation
Israeli Government
Palestinians-Genocide & Ethnic Cleansing
Vanan , CA / November 2024
Death
COVID-19
Non-Vaccinated
Anonymous , MA / November 2024
Indoctrination
Trump
LGBTQ+ (Trans Folks)
Joanna , MD / November 2024
Losing Rights
Donald Trump
LGBTQ+
Teddy , MO / November 2024
Disease
COVID-19
Chinese People
Chloe , England / November 2024
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Dominic , MO / November 2024
God/Devil
Trump
Drag Queens/LGBTQ+
Shelby , TX / November 2024
Homophobia
Trump
LGBTQ+
Anonymous , USA / November 22, 2024
Gangs
Violent Crime Increase
Immigrants
Lee , NY / November 2024
Robberies
BLM
Black People
George , Chicago, IL / November 21, 2024
Crime/Recession/Bad Economy
Influx of Asylum Seekers
Immigrants
Emily , IN / November 2024
Inflation
Immigration
Trump/MAGA Blame Hispanics and Gay/Trans Population
Anonymous , MA / November 2024
Erasing the White Race
Political Bids
Immigrants
Anonymous , MA / November 2024
Changing Culture
Donald Trump
Immigrants
Gabrielle , CA / October 2024
Global Pandemic
COVID-19 Infections
Asians/Unvaccinated
Kelly , QC / October 2024
Unknown
Diversity
HOA's/Redlining
Kara , IL / November 2024
Immigration
Economy
Education
Rachel , MA / November 2024
Migration
Poverty
Foreign Born
Valeria , Wasco / November 19, 2024
Extremism
Government Decisions
Jehovah's Witnesses
Russia , Russia / November 19, 2024
Discrimination
Racism
Black People
Anonymous , Wasco / November 19, 2024
Big, Scary Dogs
Getting Bit
Any Fat Dog
Brandon , Wasco / November 19, 2024
War
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israeli Military
Serenity , CA / November 19, 2024
Satanic Practice
The Gay Agenda
LGBTQA+
Yahaira , CA / November 19, 2024
Lack of Control
Abortion Rights/Bodily Autonomy
Women/Female-Bodied People
Sara , NJ / November 2024
Grades
Failing
Teachers
Nathan , CA / November 18, 2024
Suicide Rates Going Up
Record Number of Deaths/High Mental Health Issues
Anyone With Mental Disabilities
K. , NJ / November 18, 2024
Police Brutality
Goerge Floyd
Police Man
Roman , CA / November 18, 2024
Mass Migration
Mass Exodus From Cuba
Immigrants
Valeria , US / November 18, 2024
White Culture Being Forgotten
Donald Trump
Immigrants and POC
Alexis , NY / November 2024
Loss of Privilege
Wars/Geopolitical Unrest
Immigrants
Kathleen , MA / November 2024
Deportation
Non-English Speakers
Immigrants
Anonymous , MA / November 2024
Strong, Independent Women
JD Vance
Childless Cat Ladies
Kristin , CT / November 2024
Crime
Trump
(Im)migrants
Marc , CT / November 2024
War
Terrorists
Palestine
Anonymous , MA / November 15, 2024
Women's Right to Choose
Body Health of Women
Women
Markeida , USA / November 15, 2024
Guns
Mass School Shootings
People With Mental Illness
Roman , CA / November 15, 2024
People's Children Being Gay
Homophobes
Gay People
Anonymous , NO / November 13, 2024
Nuclear Weapons
Arabs
Iraq War
Francisco , Mexico / November 2024
Arabs
9/11
Muslims and Arabs
Sarah , RI / November 2024
COVID
Pandemic
Chinese Population
Jordyn , ND / November 12, 2024
WW3
Russia/Nukes
Cuba
TZ , MA / October 22, 2024
Communism
Senator Joseph McCarthy-McCarthyism
Listed "Communist"-USSR
Jordan , ME / November 12, 2024
War
Russia
NATO
Murphy , MA / November 10, 2024
Overturning Roe V. Wade
Trump Re-Elected
Forced Birth, Women Dead
Emily , ME / November 11, 2024
AI
AI Becomes Advanced Enough to Support Itself
AI Might Hack Into All Electronic Devices and Take Over
Ethan , MN / November 11, 2024
Infectious Disease
COVID-19
Chinese/Asians
Yasmin , MN / November 11, 2024
Police Brutality
Police
Black People
Devin , MN / November 11, 2024
People With Mental Illness
A Rare Number of Violent Crimes
All People With Mental Illness
Jake , MN / November 11, 2024
Mass Migration
Mass Deportation
Migrants
Anonymous , MA / November 2024
Wokeness
Trump
Democracy
Abby , MA / November 2024
Processed Meat
Organic/Homestead TikTok
Hot Dogs
Steph , FL / November 9, 2024
People Who Are Different/Equality
Seth Moulton's Transphobic Comments
Trans Children
Anonymous , MA / November 8, 2024
Loss of Basic Human Rights
Trump
USA Citizens
Tanya , Canada / November 2024
Terroism
9/11
Muslims
Riley , ND / November 7, 2024
Aliens
Spread of False Information About Housing Aliens in Area 51
Government Officials and Workers
Eric , NV / November 7, 2024
Alien Invasion
Spread of Information
Government Workers
Finn , NV / November 7, 2024
Loss of Power/Minorities
Donald Trump
Immigrants/Liberals
Wendy , KY / November 2024
Poverty
Inflation and Plummeting Birthrates
Pregnant Women and Childless Women
Emilie , NY / November 6, 2024
Crime and Migrants
Donald Trump
Migrants
Donna , NC / November 5, 2024
AI Taking Over the World
Robots Replacing Jobs
Elon Musk
Merv , Manchester, NH / November 4, 2024
Losing White Majority
M.A.G.A.
Immigrants
Christopher , Greenfield / November 4, 2024
Tests
Frau Begert
Alle Lösungen
Baum , MIA / November 4, 2024
Israeli Occupation of Palestine
Palestinian Resistance
Palestinians
Amy , CA / November 3, 2024
COVID-19/War/Ideologies
Media
Asians
Dylan , MA / November 2, 2024
Muslims
9/11 Attacks
All Muslims
Jennifer , VA / October 2024
Essay
Grades
Teacher
Nick , CA / October 31, 2024
COVID-19
People Eating
Asians and Bats
Anonymous , NC / October 31, 2024
Mental Health "Illness"
Any Negative Event
All Who Live With Mental Illness (Stigma)
Marjorie , TX / October 2024
Presidential Candidate
Celebrity Endorsement
Cancel Culture
Leonor , TX / October 31, 2024
Terroism
9/11
Muslims
Witch Hunt , Kaydence, CA / October 31, 2024
Assassination of Sergi Kirov
Fear of Factionalism
Great Purge of the USSR
Christopher , UK / October 2024
Terrorists
Muslims
All Muslims
Anonymous , NY / October 30, 2024
LGBTQ Influence
Politics
LGBTQ Citizens
ZA , MA / October 30, 2024
Guns
School Shootings
Mental Illness
Nahya , MA / October 30, 2024
Losing Profit From Oil Pipeline
Oil Pipeline
Native Americans and Their Reservations
Ashley , MA / October 30, 2024
Drowning
Deep and Dark Water
The Ocean
Jaclyn , WA / October 30, 2024
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Anel , NY / October 30, 2024
Free Exchange Improves Living Standards Without Leftist Intervention
Communists
Providers of Goods and Services
Anonymous , MA / October 29, 2024
Violence
Ignorance
We the People
Franke , TX / October 29, 2024
Loss of Power/Fragile Masculinity
Women/Gay/Trans Rights Accepted
Trans People
Ace , MA / October 2024
Ancient Jewish Claims To Judea Documented Thoroughly
Israeli Success
Jews
Anonymous , MA / October 29, 2024
Police Brutality
BLM
Police (All Are Bad)
Anonymous , NC / October 29, 2024
Immigrants
Trump
Democrats
Brian , Nashua, NH / October 29, 2024
People With Mental Illness
A Rare Number of Violent Crimes
All People With Mental Illness
Samantha , NE / October 28, 2024
Threat of Communism in Germany
The Rise of the Nazi Party
Jewish People
Ciaran , England / October 2024
Blackmail/Trafficking
Diddy
People On the Freak Off List
Riley , ME / October 25, 2024
Collapse of America
MSNBC, CNN, and Other False News Organizations
Donald Trump
Anonymous , NY / October 25, 2024
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Kaydence , CA / October 25, 2024
COVID-19
Chaos
Chinese Population/Hate Crimes
Cindy , NY / October 2024
COVID-19
Quarantine
Asian People/Population
Erin , FL / October 2024
Dog Attacks
Big, Untrained Dogs Attacking People
Big Dogs
Garrett , VT / October 24, 2024
The Loss of WWI
Adolf
Jews and Other Groups
Alex , VT / October 24, 2024
Police Brutality
BLM
Police (All Are Bad)
Courtney , NC / October 24, 2024
Drug Usage
Vietnam
Mentally Disturbed
Peyton , NC / October 24, 2024
Homophobes
Femboys
LGBTQ+
Zoey , VT / October 24, 2024
Crime
Donald Trump
Migrants
Donna , NC / October 2024
A Different Political Agenda
Kamala Harris
Non-White, Female Politicians
Jenn , IN / October 2024
Loss of Gendered Norms/Trans People
Black Women Winning Gold Metals
Transgender People/Anyone Who Isn't "Woman Enough"
Jill , Alberta, Canada / October 2024
Trump
Stoking Fear of Immigrants
Immigrant Mass Deportation
Kelly , OR / October 2024
Terrorists
Media
Arabs
Jessica , France / Ocotber 2024
Terrorism
September 11, 2001
Increased Discrimination of Muslim and Arab People
Jake , NC / October 23, 2024
Race/Communism/Disloyalty/Wealth
Hitler Becomes Chancellor
Jewish People Worldwide Even Today
Erika , MA / October 2024
Economic Loss
Violent Crime
Immigrants
Courtney , TX / October 2024
Crimes From Illegal Immigrants
Donald Trump/Republicans
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris
Marjorie , MA / October 2024
Harming Children
Gender Identity
Trans People
Gabi, Jackie, Clarisa , IL / October 2024
Hyperinflation In Germany
The Aftermath of WWI
Jewish Holocaust
Tanna , NSW, Australia / October 2024
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims/Arabs
Jasmine , Quebec, Canada / October 2024
Tightness
Round Dodging Eyre Square 1988 Paddy’s Stag
Cavan People
Mary , Kingscount, Cavan, IRE / October 23, 2024
Israel's War On Hamas
High Number of Palestinian Casualties
Non-Israeli Jews (US and Global)
Sarah , TX / October 23, 2024
Grooming of Kids
Hate-Talk From Transphobes
Transgender Teens and Children
Lori , LA / October 22, 2024
Terrorism
9/11
Islam
Madison , IL / October 2024
Change
Prejudice/Bigotry
Trump
Sheila , KY / October 2024
Death
School Shootings
Guns
Anonymous , Denton, TX / October 22, 2024
Trans People
Far-Right Leaning People
The LGBTQAI Community
Jennifer , Tucson, AZ / October 21, 2024
Crime
Immigration
Undocumented People/Mexican Population
Stephanie , GA / October 21, 2024
COVID-19/Sickness
CDC
Humans/Masks/Lockdown
Melanie , SC / October 2024
Loss of Power
Nazi Party
Jewish People
Natasha , MD / October 21, 2024
Death
COVID
Chinese
Anonymous , MA / October 2024
Religious Differences
Different Interpretations
Mormons (LDS)
Tori , TX / October 2024
Democracy
Trump
MAGA
Robert , WI / October 2024
The Owl House Not Fitting the Disney Brand
Shifting to a Film Instead of a Full Season
Dana Terrace and The Owl House
Jeffrey , CA / October 20, 2024
Losing Jobs/Opportunities
Recession/Hate Talk By Politicians
Immigrants
Nicole , NY / October 2024
Sexual Assault
Far-Right Misinformation
Transgender People
Madison , IL / October 2024
Economy and Immigration
Trump/Vance
Haitians
Kathy , NC / October 2024
Not Fitting Public Standards
"Famous" by Kanye West
Taylor Swift
Teagan , NJ / October 18, 2024
Fear of Religious Extremism
King Charles 1st Persecution
The Puritans
Zack , WA / October 18, 2024
Getting Caught
Myrtle's Death
Jay Gatsby
Rebecca , NJ / October 18, 2024
Diseases and Death
Black Death
Random Old Lady
Lizard , FL / October 18, 2024
Global Warming
Melting Glaciers and Ice Caps
Gas Car Companies
Bob , NJ / October 18, 2024
Enslavement
Gold Hungry Spanish
Natives: "They Were Simple and Plain Men"
Ethan , WA / October 18, 2024
America's Downfall
Immigration
Haitians
Chris , RI / October 2024
Freedom
Strict Racial Barriers
African People
Emily , WA / October 18, 2024
Terrorism
9/11
American Muslims
Kacen , TX / October 18, 2024
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Alex , NJ / October 18, 2024
COVID-19
CDC, Government, WHO
The Unvaccinated
Melissa , Pittsburgh, PA / October 18, 2024
Genocide
Israel
Palestine
Anonymous , Gaza, Palestine / October 17, 2024
Islamophobia/Islam
9/11
Arab Americans and Muslims
Dustin , ID / October 2024
No Political Control
Lord Proprietor
Governor
Jack , WA / October 17, 2024
Shipwreck
Hurricane
Europeans
Erayleas , WA / October 17, 2024
Rebellion and Insubordination
Increased Number of African Slaves
African Slaves
Jaslyn , WA / October 17, 2024
Satanic Panic
Death/Murder
West Memphis Three
Dakota , NY / October 17, 2024
Losing Control
Establishing Religion and Economic Dominance
Exploitation of Indigenous
Gloria , WA / October 17, 2024
COVID-19
Disease Being Transmitted On Chinese Boat
Chinese People Hate
Alexa , AL / October 16, 2024
Terrorism
9/11
Islamic People
Guy , London, England / October 2024
Terrorist
9/11
Muslims
Anonymous , Afghanistan / October 16, 2024
Exploitation
Colonization
Native Americans
Caprice , WA / October 16, 2024
African-Americans Treated As Animals
Slave Trade
African-Americans
Damian , WA / October 16, 2024