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
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
COVID/Disease/Fauci
Don't Vaccinate
Conservatives
Anonymous , MA / April 2024
Anything Hard
Donald Trump
Right-Wing Ideas
Anonymous , MA / April 2024
Infection
COVID
Medical Staff/Chinese
Anonymous , MA / April 2024
Loss of the White Majority
Continuing Tradition of Safe Harbor for Immigrants
Asylum Seekers
Carol , MA / April 2024
Donald Trump Fears Conviction
Courts Holding Him Accountable
Anyone Challenging His Presumed Innocence
Carol , MA / April 2024
Car Getting Clamped
Capitalism
Local Leisure Centre
Josephine , Devon / April 18, 2024
Natives
sporadic attacks
Natives
Michael , WA / April 18, 2024
Poor living amongst wealthy
Automobile taking over staes
Immigrants/Black and Native Americans
James , VA / April 18, 2024
Religion
Being Thrown Stones At, Bully, Rape, Ignorance
Dogmatic Christians
Anonymous , NY / April 2024
Being Upside Down
Liberals
Allied Powers
Benito , Italia / April 2024
Illness
Death
Sick people
Kimberly , WA / April 17, 2024
General Crime
Elections
Illegal Immigrants
Andrew , MA / April 2024
Terrorism
9/11
Muslims
Andrew , MA / April 2024
Loss of American Identity
Political Gain
Immigrants
Bob , NL / April 2024
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 2024
Hamas
Israeli Army
Palestinian People
Anonymous , MA / April 2024
Lack of Growth & Stability in the "New World"
Others using black slaves to gain wealth
Enslaved Black People
Stella , WA / April 15, 2024
Covid 19
Donald Trump
Chinese Ppl
Rebecca , UT / April 15, 2024
Gun violence
Shootings
Guns
Presley , WA / April 2024
Cultural Erosion
French Immigrants
Russia Today
Volodymyr , MA / April 16, 2024
Changing gender norms
Growing acceptance of LGBTQ
Attacks on Queer people
Terek , NY / April 13, 2024
Terrorist Group, Like Al Quaeda
9/11 Terorist Attack
Muslims And Middle Easterners
Anonymous , NY / April 2024
Terrorism War
Hamas
Palestinians
Anonymous , Middle East / April 2024
Economic Crisis in Germany
Adolf Hitler and Nazi Party
Murder of Jews and Minorities
Carly , PA / April 2024
Unemployment/Jews
Hitler and Depression
Holocaust of Jews
Diane , NJ / April 12, 2024
insecurity
President Eisenhower
homosexual people
Eisenhower , United States / April 11, 2024
Hamas
October 7, 2023
Palestinians
Chris , NS / April 2024
Repressed Parts of Themselves
People Embodying Their Truth
Gender Non-Conforming People and Queer Folx
Alexa , Nova Scotia / April 2024
Gun Violence
Redlining
African American Men and Women
Laryssa , MA / April 10, 2024
Pandemic
Trump
Immigrants
Mariola , MA / April 20, 2024
Terrorism
911
Muslims
Mariola , MA / April 2024
Crime/Drugs
Trump
Immigrants, Refugees, Migrants, Asylum Seekers
Sue , MA / April 10, 2024
Freedom
False Promises
Trump
Anonymous , MA / April 2024
Racial injustice
Bad black people killed by cops
Whites
George , NY / April 4, 2024
Police Brutality
Media
Police Offcers
Val , NJ / April 3
Loss of Political/Economic Power
Changing Marital Ideals/Rising Divorce Rates
Books/Education
Chris , WA / April 2024
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