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

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

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

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

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 schools

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 paying a liveable wage

Younger generations 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

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

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

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 LGBTQ 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 that had multiple and systemic issues.

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 on 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

Cults

Swifties

Taylor Swift

Raylon , KY / June 2024

Ottoman Loss of Power

WWI & Fall of Ottoman Empire

Armenians

Lindsey , MA / June 2024

The Devil/Witchcraft

Crop Failure/Illness

Women

Anna , AB / June 10, 2024

Banning Books

Ignorance

Teachers

Jessica , MA / June 5, 2024

Political (in) Correctness

Bravo TV/ Hollywood

American Patriots MAGA

Brandon , LA / June 4, 2024

Slavic independence from Austria-Hungary

Assassination of Franz Ferdinand

Serbia

Adam , MA / June 2, 2024

Violence

Donald Trump

Immigrants

Kelley , MD / June 2, 2024

LGBTQIA+

Christian Extremism

Transgender People in Sports

Anonymous , MA / May 2024

Expansion of German Army PreWWI

Irish Independence Movement

Celtics and Anti-Celtic Sentiment

Anonymous , MA / May 2024

Covid

Trump

Asian/Chinese Community

Barbara , MA / May 2024

Spread of Covid Virus

News of the Disease from China

Asian American Hate Crimes

Vivian , CA / May 2024

Retribution for Acting Out

Teenage Actions

Teachers

Annie , CA / May 2024

Unknown Infection

Ebola

Africans

Judy , Kenya / May 2024

Loss of Power by Germans

WWI and Depression

Jews

Howard , NJ / May 2024

Decline of Christianity

Equal Rights and "Wokeism"

Others and New Satanic Panic

Benito , Canada / May 2024

Covid

Dr. Fouchi

Trump

Joe , IL / May 24, 2024

Vladimir Putin

NATO / Military "Intervention" at Russia-Ukraine border

Slaughter of Ukrainians

Maya B. , NY / May 24, 2024

Feminism

Religious Paranoia

Women accused of being Witches

Maya B. , NY / May 24, 2024

Sexual Assault

"Men" in womens bathrooms

Trans people

Roman , MI / May 23, 2024

Jewish Genocide

October 7

Palestinians

S , Massachusetts / May 22, 2024

Mistreatment of students

Allowed Criminals or Aliens as Teachers

The American School System

Anonymous , MA / May 22, 2024

Homosexuality

Communism

Gay men in 1950s

Andrew , MA / May 21, 2024

Loss of Power and Control

South African People Defy Apartheid

Nelson Mandela

CP , Connecticut / May 20, 2024

Constitutional Rights

Facts over Feelings

Donald Trump

Elizabeth , Davidson, NC / May 18, 2024

Breaking the Binary

Loss of the Patriarchy

Trans People

N/A , The South / May 18, 2024

Loss of Power/"Think of the Child"

Christian Fascists

Trans/Gay

John , MA / May 2024

People wanting me to kill myself or purposely giving aids

Negative mental affirmations of family and friends

Me-Isolated hopeless

Christina , North Carolina / May 14, 2024

Truth

Politicians

The U.S. Constituion

Bruce , FL / May 13, 2024

Illness

Pandemic

Doctors/Medicine

Bruce , FL / May 2024

Being hung for witchcraft

John Proctor

Tituba

Abigail , MA / May 13, 2024

Terrorism

9/11

Muslims

B. , MA / May 2024

Homelessness

Infection

Government

W. , MA / May 2024

China

Covid

Asian Americans

Karol and Ashley , MA / May 2024

Queer People/LGBT People

Queer Acceptance

Queer People

Pascale , Côte Saint-Luc / May 12, 2024

Uncontrolled Border

Joe Biden

USA Citizens

Anonymous , OH / May 12, 2024

Oppression, objectification, and violence toward women

Patriarchal Societies

Women

C. Jacobs , FL / May 11, 2024

Rising Autism Rates

False Unproven

Vaccines

Anonymous , MA / May 10, 2024

Crime

Sensationalist Media

Criminals

Anonymous , MA / May 10, 2024

Grooming of Children

"Woke" Culture

LGBTQIA People

Anonymous , MA / May 10, 2024

Drugs

Nixon

Blacks, Hispanics, Hippies

Anonymous , MA / May 2024

Islam

Israel's Genocide

Muslims and Palestinians

Anonymous , MA / May 2024

Rising Rates of Mental Illness

Conservatives + Fear Mongering

"Woke" Culture and Technology

Anonymous , MA / May 10, 2024

Loss of governmental control

Trump elected

Russia (collusion)

Tom , PA / May 10, 2024

Gang Violence

Racism and Media Sensationalism

Racial Minorities and Immigrants

Anonymous , MA / May 9, 2024

Rising Awareness of Sexual Violence

Media Misinformation

LGBTQ/Racial/Ethnic Minorities

Anonymous , MA / May 8, 2024

Donald Trump

Liberals

MSNBC/CNN Fake News

Abby , Boston / May 8, 2024

Infection

COVID

Non-Vaccinated People

Anonymous , CO / May 5, 2024

Legal punishment

Patriarchal control

Women

Riley , WA / May 5, 2024

Russian election interference

Mean tweets

Donald Trump

Brandon , Delaware / May 4, 2024

Morissey

his voice

Johnny Marr (the GOAT)

Izzy , England / April 30, 2024

loss of control

uncomfortable questions

public education

Shannon , Union Hall, VA / April 29, 2024

MAGA 2.0

Next Presidential Election

Indictments and Trump Trials

Armando , Miami, FL / April 2024

Palestinians

Wanting Freedom and Country

Palestine Genocide by Israeli Govt.

Buddy , NH / April 2024

Non-affordable Rents

Inflation + Greedy Estate Agents

Millenials & Immigrants

Michelle , Germany / April 27, 2024

Infection

COVID

Chinese

Bryce , MA / April 26, 2024

Female Power

Men Insecurities

Women

Kenlen , IL / April 25, 2024

World War III

October 7th Attack

Jews/Iran/Biden

Liesl , NY / April 25, 2024

Palestine/Hamas

Marxist ideology

Jews/Israel

Anonymous , MA / April 23, 2024

Colonization

Land & Resources

Catholicism

Andy , Santa Fe, NM / April 23, 2024

Losing Value (as Provider and Protector)

Women choosing to stay single

Feminists

Ellis , MI / April 23, 2024

freedom

false

trump

Kynlie , TX / April 22, 2024

infection

aids

gay community

Anonymous , MA / April 22, 2024

Drowning

The Film 'San Andreas'

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson

Moop , MA / Aprill 22, 2024

Overpopulation

Lack of Resources

Pandemic

Farrah and Nicholas , NY / April 20, 2024

a lot of land

free laborers

Black people

Michelle , WA / April 20, 2024

Responsibility of a child

(unwanted) pregnancy

unborn children

Michelle , WA / April 20, 2024

police Brutality

media

police

Val , NJ / April 2024

Submit a Witch Hunt

Scapegoat
Example: for Massachusetts, put in MA