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
Worse Living Conditions
Unemployment/Less Money
Immigrants
Katja , Schqarzenberg / April 15, 2024
Income Inequality/Social Change
Republican Leaders
Trans and Non Binary Folx
Anonymous , MA / April 15, 2024
Hamas
Israeli Army
Palestinian People
Anonymous , MA / April 15, 2024
Terrorist Group, Like Al Quaeda
9/11 Terorist Attack
Muslims And Middle Easterners
Anonymous , New York, NY / April 12, 2024
Terrorism War
Hamas
Palestinians
Anonymous , middle east / April 12, 2024
insecurity
President Eisenhower
homosexual people
Eisenhower , United States / April 11, 2024
Hamas
October 7, 2023
Palestinians
Chris , NS / April 11, 2024
Repressed parts of themselves
People embodying their truth
Gender non-conforming & queer folk
Alexa , NS / April 11, 2024
Gun Violence
Redlining
African American Men and Women
Laryssa , MA / April 10, 2024
Racial injustice
Bad black people killed by cops
Whites
George , NY / April 4, 2024
Police Brutality
Media
Police Offcers
Val , NJ / April 3
Economic Insecurity
Donald Trump
Media, Immigration, Women
MJ , MI / March 29, 2024
Politicians losing power/influence
Young people speaking out
Tiktok
Sophia , IA / March 29, 2024
Feeling Stuck in Life
Perfectionism
Tony Blair
Lizette , VT / March 28, 2024
Death
Covid
China
Finley , Canada / March 27, 2024
Terrorism
9/11
Architects
Bernette , VT / March 27, 2024
Rape/assault
Bathrooms becoming more inclusive
Transgender women
Billy Bob , CA / March 27, 2024
9/11
Terrorist Attack
Muslims
Nick , UK / March 25, 2024
Infection
Covid
Asian/Chinese
Kristofer , CA / March 23, 2024
Feminism
Loss of power and control
Strong and Independent women
Chris , VT / March 22, 2024
grades
school
depression
Bobby , MI / March 21, 2024
Witchcraft
Witches
Tituba
John , MA / March 21, 2024
Female Liberation
Feminsim
Persecution of Women and Femicide
Bruno , Mexico / March 20, 2024
Socialism
Jews
Holocaust/Jews
Bruno , Mexico / March 20, 2024
Racism
Media
White people
Anonymous , US / March 20, 2024
terrorist threats
bombings
arabic people
Gabe , mi / March 20, 2024
Disease
COVID
Violence against Asians
Danielle , NH / March 17, 2024
Islam
9/11
Internment/Iraq War
Danielle , NH / March 17, 2024
COVID
Pandemic
Asians/Chinese
Camille , TX / March 15, 2024
illness
death
sick people
Anonymous , USA / March 15, 2024
Fentanyl
rise in deaths from fentanyl overdose
immigrants
Matthew , NC / March 14, 2024
Grooming/Indoctrination
FL Gov. DeSantis
LGBTQIA+ Community and Public Education
Peyton and Megan , FL / March 13, 2024
Infection
COVID-19
Asian Americans
Eleanor , CA / March 12, 2024
Losing Occupied Territory
Oct. 7 Hamas Attack
Palestinian Civilians
Karen , IN / March 8, 2024
Death
Covid 19
Asian Ethnic Groups
Martha , MA / March 8, 2024
Devil
Bad things happening to animals, crops, & people
Anyone acting different & strange
Christina , MA / March 5, 2024
Russian interference in the 2016 election
Trump's ties to the russian state
Mueller Investigation
Matthew , TX / March 3, 2024
Terrorism
Trump/Xenophobia
Palestine
Bella , MO / March 1, 2024
People
social interactions
women
David , MA / March 1, 2024
Threat to traditional heterosexual families
Rise in numbers of Transgender individuals and Gay families
The LGBTQ+ Community
Michael , OK / March 1, 2024
War
Assassination of Archduke of Austria
Germany
Anonymous , USA / March 1, 2024
War/death
WW1
Germany
Anonymous , MA / March 1, 2024
Autism
Media hype
Flu and lyme disease vaccines
Dan , NB, Canada / February 28, 2024
Transphobia
Radical Gender Theory/Ignorance
Nex Benedict, 16, murdered in Oklahoma 2/7/2024
Annie , NY / February 28, 2024
Loss of Womanhood
Bathrooms
Trans People
Dani , UK / February 22, 2024
Pandemic
COVID
China
Matt , FL / February 20, 2024
Impurity - promiscuity
Adolescent hormones
Friends who are 'bad influences'
Lisa , Central Mass / February 20, 2024
Emasculation, meaninglessness
Racist Indoctrination
Worshipers of Emanuel Church in Charleston, SC
Michelle , MD / February 16, 2024
Loss of Election
Congress gathered to count Electoral College votes
Congress/ Nancy Pelosi/ Mike Pence
Michelle , MD / February 16, 2024
antifa
trumps big lie/jan 6 attack
political opponents
Anonymous , DC / February 15, 2024
Pandemic
Stares from those who no longer mask
Anyone who masks
Jennifer , PA / February 14, 2024
Racism
Nationwide Racism And Goverment Fear Mongering
Republicans
Anonymous , GA / February 15, 2024
police brutality
George Floyd
All Police
Meg , RI / February 12, 2024
anxiety
scarcity
innocents and mass hysteria
yaritza , KS / February 9, 2024
Racism
Nationwide racism and government fear mongering
republicans
Anonymous , GA / February 9, 2024
Terrorism
9/11
Guantanamo Bay/Xeneophobia To Muslims
Miguel , MA / February 8, 2024
change
education
youth
Rosemary , MS / February 8, 2024
Guns/Shootings
School Shootings
Violent Video games
Joe , MA / February 07, 2024
Rebellion
Slavery
Indian/African
Sans , NC / February 06, 2024
losing jobs
racism
mexicans/mexican americans
marisela , CA / February 6, 2024
The growing social power of women and the fear of men being falsely accused
Johnny Depp's defamation trial and social media smear campaign
Amber Heard
Stephen , OK / February 05, 2024
Rebellion
Slavery
Indian/African
Sans , NC / February 02, 2024
The Unknown
Change
Anyone that Accepts the Change
Alexandria , Pullman, WA / February 01, 2024
The Truth
The Matrix
Andrew Tate
Zaid , OH / January 30, 2024
Children are being groomed
biased media, greater acceptance and outlets for drag performers
Drag Performers
Jason , OH / January 30, 2024
Anxiety
Scarcity
Innocents and Mass Hysteria
Jasper and Krishna , Singapore / January 2024
Lack of Healthcare providers
Spanish Flu
quarantine
Andie , KS / January 26, 2024
Sickness
Covid 19
Anxiety
Layla , KS / January 26, 2024
rebellion
slavery
indian/african
Nathan , PA / January 26, 2024
Judaism overtaking the south
Leo Frank Lynching
Jewish community
Elena , NE / January 26, 2024
Destruction and Rioting
Death of Rodney King
Black Americans
Gracie , KS / January 26, 2024
Loss of control/money
Death of family patriarch
youngest adult child of family, only female, executor
Susan , MI / January 26, 2024
LGBTQ "Groomers"
Biased Media And Illegal Election Practices
Drag Queens And "Woke" Teachers
Jalane , VA / January 26, 2024
Racism
nationwide racism and government fear mongering
Republicans
Anonymous , GA / January 25, 2024
Change
Education
Youth
Helen , CA / January 25, 2024
Suicide
Parents feeling like they're doing a bad job.
DnD
Sav , SC / January 24, 2024
January 6th
Biased Media and Illegal election practices
President Trump
Ryan , VA / January 22, 2024
Racism, Capitalism
Disagreement with Conservative Values
Democrats
Cari , CA / January 22, 2024
Terrorism
9/11
Guantanamo Bay/Xenophobia to Muslims
Amanda , FL / January 2024
Failing Economy
Immigration/Overpopulation
Latino-Americans
Cesar , NY / January 2024
Death
Covid-19
Asian Ethnic Groups
Julius , NY / January 19, 2024
Loss of International Power
Booming Chinese Economy
Chinese Americans
Manal , Netherlands / January 2024
Sex Trafficking
Young Women- 17 And Lower
A Group Of Young School Girls
Ava and Jabari , MA / January 18, 2024
Murder/Manslaughter
Mentally Ill
Innocent People
EM , NY / January 18, 2024
Witches
Illness and Misfortune
Random People
John , Salem / January 17, 2024
Hatred of Asians
Covid-19
Asian People
Anonymous , United States / January 17, 2024
Taxes
The IRS
The Middle Class
WY , NY / January 17, 2024
terrorists
Pearl Harbor
Japanese
Anonymous , US / January 17, 2024
Terrorist Groups, like Al Quaeda
9/11 Terrorist attack
Muslims and middle easterners
Anonymous , New York, NY / January 17, 2024
Witchery
Betty's sickness
Tituba
Anonymous , Salem / January 17, 2024
Hanging
Danforth
Reverend Parris
Anonymous , MA / January 17, 2024
Chinese Muslims
Religion
Human Rights Abuse and Genocide
Matt , NY / January 17, 2024
Death
COVID-19 Pandemic
Anxiety
Disha , NY / January 17, 2024
Terrorism
9/11/2001
Blaming Muslims by expressing islamophobia
Anonymous , United States / January 2024
Infection, Death, or Illness
COVID-19 Pandemic
Anxiety
Anonymous , MA / January 17, 2024
Racism, capitalism
Disagreement with conservative values
Conservatives
Harry , NY / January 15, 2024
Abuser will be found out
Abused person tells a family member
The abused person
Anonymous , USA / January 2024
lying little girls
illiterate adults
innocent people
John , Mass / January 12, 2024
Feeling inferior/powerless
Meeting new societies
Native Americans
Anonymous , VA / January 12, 2024
Sex Trafficking
Young Women- 17 and Lower
A Group of Young School Girls
Ava , Jabari, MA / January 08, 2024
Tylenol
Tylenol laced with fatal drugs
People
Anonymous , Chicago, IL / January 08, 2024
Hunger in German Citizens
The Treaty of Versailles
Jewish people
Adelaide , KY / January 08, 2024
Death
Covid-19 Pandemic
Anxiety
Gabe , NJ / January 03, 2024
Witchcraft
witches
tituba
John , MA / January 03, 2024
Poverty
White Nationalism
Black Americans
Savanna , OK / January 3, 2024
Infection
COVID
Asian Americans
Savanna , OK / January 3, 2024
God/Devil
Teen suicides, Patricia Pulling, & BADD
DND
Moxie , VA / January 03, 2024
Infection, death, or illness
COVID-19 Pandemic
anxiety
Anonymous , MA / January 02, 2024
Changing Culture/loss of Control
People Only Being Themselves
LGBTQ+ Community
Kady , SC / January 2, 2024
Shark population Decreasing
Shark Attacks
sharks and bigger fear of sharks could lead to hunting
Tiara , Clara, NE / January 02, 2024
American Traditions/White race will be lost
Immigration
Immigrants ruining country or taking jobs
Elizabeth , NH / January 1, 2024
Witchcraft
Illness
Ann putnam
Ann , MA / December 31, 2023
Ocean
Shark Attacks
Sharks
Ethan , MA / December 2023
Hamas are terrorists
IDF/Netnyahu
Jews
Anonymous , TN / December 26, 2023
Xenophobic
COVID
Chinese-American Population
Ben , MA / December 2023
Rapists
Various Cases of Rape
The Victim's "Foolishness" on "Complying"
Jake , MA / December 23, 2023
Romans
Change
Jews
Ben , NJ / December 21, 2023
Abuse
Ostracims
disability
Gale , CA / December 19, 2023
Terrorism/War
Hamas
Palestinians
Tessa , Middle East / December 19, 2023
rebellion
slavery
indian/Aferican
Anonymous , Leigh, WA / December 19, 2023
Guns/Shootings
Concealed Carry
Republicans
Tessa , Gavin, KY / December 19, 2023
Stealing Land
Greed
Native Americans
Hayden , United States / December 19, 2023
Terrorism war
Hamas
Palestinians
Anonymous , Middle East / December 2023
Israel
Hamas Terrorist Attaack
Jews Worldwide
Maaz Ahsan , VA / December 19, 2023
war conflict
middle east
asian community
Anonymous , VA / December 19, 2023
Death/Illness
Coronavirus Tied To China
Crimes Against Asians
Aliviah , MA / December 13, 2023
Sharks/"Dangerous" Animals
Reports of Shark Attacks
Sharks
Jonah , MA / December 2023
Judaism overtaking the South
Leo Frank Lynching
Jewish Community
Elena Lozada , NE / December 12, 2023
Guns/shootings
Concealed Carry
Republicans
Gavin , KY / December 06, 2023
Death/Illness
Coronavirus tied to China
Crimes against Asians
Wendy , NY / November 2023
Music affecting kids
Gangster activity
Black people
Obama , CO / December 2023
"Antifa"
Trump's Big Lie/Jan 6 Attack
Political Opponents
Jalane , VA / December 2023
LGBTQ "groomers"
Changing cultural norms
Drag Queens and "Woke" Teachers
Jalane , VA / December 2023
Shark population decreasing
Shark attacks
People having a bigger fear of sharks could lead to hunting to "keep the area safe"
Clara , NE / December 04, 2023
guns
school shootings
mental illness
Tiana and Malia , MA / December 01, 2023
Israel
Hamas Terrorist Attack
Jews Worldwide
Alex , OH / November 2023
Demographic Change
2020 Election
Florida Education System
Kaitlyn , FL / November 30, 2023
Guns/Shootings
Concealed Carry
Republicans
Brooke , LA / November 2023
Another persecution of Jews in Europe
Uprise of right wing parties / Painting Star of David on Houses occupied by Jews
Jews
WMK , Europe / November 30, 2023
Getting job opportunities taken and losing German culture
Migrant crisis
Immigrants and refugees
Mia , Germany / November 30, 2023
Espionage and affair
Russian revolution 1917
Rasputin
Artur , Russia / November 30, 2023
not being able to reproduce or have control
women becoming independent
women
Arin , / November 29, 2023
Sex trafficking
young women -17 and lower
a group of young school girls
Jabari , MA / November 29, 2023
Judaism
Land
Jewish People
Catherine , CT / November 29, 2023
Terrorism/War
Hamas
Palestinians
Luc , Middle East / November 29, 2023
Loss of family dynamics
Hysterical ideas of politicians
Transgender individuals
Dante , NH / November 2023
Pedophilia
Qanon
Liberal/Progressive Politicians
Luuk , Netherlands / November 2023
Rebellion
Slavery
Indians/Africans
Leigh , WA / November 26, 2023
China
Covid-19
Asian Americans
Erin , MA / November 2023
Infection, Death, or Illness
Covid-19 Pandemic
Anxiety
Alvarado Family , NJ / November 2023
Apocalypse, hell, eternal damnation, god, pain, death and suffering, magic, peculiar forces and paranormal
Scientifically explainable phenomena, lack of knowledge, deep religion, belief in magic and superstitions
Science, atheism, sinners, culture and progressivism, technology, apparent witchcraft
Zuzanna , Rotherham / November 25, 2023
Loss of WWI Germany
Economic Turmoil
Jews
Angela , TN / November 2023
Oppressions
Boredom
White Heterosexual Christians
Clark , MA / November 2023
Regress/Loss of Progress
Social Media
Opinion Challenging Mainstream, Liberal Thought
Key , MA / November 2023
Sexuality
Public Acknowledgment
GLTB Community Rights
Mark , MA / November 2023
Hamas
October 7, 2023
Palestinian people
Sonha , CA / November 2023
Violence/Crime
Poverty
Black People
Alie , PA / November 2023
technology
chatgpt
all AI
matthew , MA / November 20, 2023
War/Conflict
Middle East/Religions
Jewish People
Scott , USA / October 2023
Hurting themselves or others
Misused charity
Homeless people
Aesyn , Cities / November 18, 2023
Guns
School Shootings
Mental Illness
Tiana and Malia , MA / November 17, 2023
Hispanics
improving the economic situation
Mexicans
Anonymous , TX / November 17, 2023
“Others” that are not understood
Republican Members of Congress
Trans People, especially women
Hazel , ND / November 16, 2023
Sexism
Harrassment
Gender Related Challenges
Anonymous , WA / November 16, 2023
pandemic
covid
asian community
colton , MA / November 15, 2023
Violence/Exposure
"Violent" Lyrics
Rock Bands
Kyle , MA / November 15, 2023
American Outsourcing of Jobs
People Searching For Better Future
Immigrants
VALERIA , McAllen TX / November 14, 2023
Joe biden going in office
Electoral college counting for his presidency
Trump
Liam , Washington DC / November 14, 2023
rich people
helping the under developed
Mr. Beast
Max , MA / November 14, 2023
guns
shootings
mental illness
devon , MN / November 14, 2023
police interaction
bad cops
every cop in existence(even good )
cajun , US / November 14, 2023
Ocean
Shark Attacks
Sharks
Ethan , ma / November 13, 2023
guns
shootings
mental illness
Harry , United States / November 13, 2023
Child Abuse
Shaken Baby Syndrome
Parents
Anonymous , United States / November 11, 2023
Violence
War in Gaza
Jewish people
Anonymous , New Jersey / November 11, 2023
under representation of Americans in the government
The average age of senators is double the average age of Americans
The old people in the government
Anonymous , US / November 11, 2023
WWI
Treaty of Versailles
German people
H Wald , Pa / November 09, 2023
Bad Luck
Superstitions
Black Cats
Hsaoli , MA / November 09, 2023
Gay People
Being attracted to same sex
RuPaul
Trump , USA / November 09, 2023
communism
american democratic party
biden
Anonymous , mi / November 09, 2023
"They're Taking Our Jobs"
Immigrants
Democrates
Mary , MA / November 09, 2023
Muslims
Brazen Zionism
Gaza People
Anonymous , MA / October 2023
Islam/Muslims
Israeli Propaganda
Palestine genocide
Anonymous , MA / October 2023
Anti-Semitism
Israel
Palestinians
Anonymous , MA / November 2023
9/11
extremists
Muslim community
janicequanve , queens / November 02, 2023
Getting sick
Covid 19
Chinese people
Jaquise , Oak street / November 02, 2023
Infection
aids
gay community
john , Delaware MA / November 02, 2023
dying of covid
covid
Chinese people
Carl , new york queens / November 02, 2023
Losing money
Getting fired
Manger
Bobby , Queens, New York / November 02, 2023
covid 19
dying
Chinese
xiao , queens / November 02, 2023
republicans
trump
democrats
Donald , MA / November 01, 2023
witches
people in power
innocent people
Anonymous , MA / November 01, 2023
guns
shootings
mental illness
trevor , PA / November 01, 2023
racism
slavery
southerners
ivy , NC / November 01, 2023
government falling
protests
minorities
Alicia , OH / November 01, 2023
China
Covid-19
Asian Americans
Erin , MA / October 2023
Guns
School/Mass shootings
NRA/Gun owners
Gavin , MO / October 31, 2023
Violence in Youth
Rise in youth crimes
Video Games
Hawk , USA / October 30, 2023
Little Children
Falling Kids
Gorillas
Matty , PA / October 30, 2023
ocean
sharkbite
shark
Daniella , MD / October 30, 2023