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

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

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

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

Shark population Decreasing

Shark Attacks

sharks and bigger fear of sharks could lead to hunting

Tiara , Clara, NE / January 02, 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

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

Perceived gender normativity

Misunderstanding of biological and social identities

Cosmetic surgeries related to gender

Mickey , PA / October 30, 2023

He will expose them

popularity

Donald J. Trump

Gary , SC / September 2023

Terrorism

9/11

all middle eastern people

Cali , OHIO / October 29, 2023

Witches

Witches have black cats

Black Cats

Jacob , TX / October 29, 2023

A man having a bad Relationship with a women

His mother

his wife/Girlfriend

anonymous , Ma / October 29, 2023

coronavirus

Death/Lockdown/Closures

asian community

Anonymous , De / October 28, 2023

Criminals

Neoliberalism/Maintaining Power

Marginalized Communities

Doriana , Canada / October 2023

Not getting into college

Affirmative action

POC

Marisa , MA / October 2023

Sexual Assault

Gender Neutral

Trans People

Marisa , CA / October 2023

COVID

Pandemic

Chinese Americans

Marisa , CA / October 2023

decline of mental health in the united states

social media/ cost of living

technology/ cell phones

Emmanuel , North carolina / October 25, 2023

“They’re taking our jobs”

Immigrants

Democrats

Mary , MA / October 24, 2023

Corna virus

Deaths lockdowns

Asian community

Alexa , DE / October 23, 2023

Terrorism

Hamas attacks

Palestinians

Lewis , Gaza / October 23, 2023

Overpopulation

Migrant Boats Into The UK

African/Eastern Europea Refugees

Tetiana , NC / October 22, 2023

Illness/Covid/Death

Pandemic/Lockdown/Illness

Unvaccinated People

Michele , VA / October 2023

Loss of Traditional Values

Fox News/Caitlyn Jenner

Trans Community

Mike and Anna , NY / October 2023

The Holocaust

Antisemitism

Jewish Community

Jordan , New York / October 20, 2023

guns

shootings

mental illness

devon , Slaydon, MN / October 20, 2023

Republicans

Donald Trump

Russian Cohersion

James , RI / October 2023

Dissolution of traditional ideas

Misogyny

Taylor Swift and other successful women

Anthony , NJ / October 2023

communist

small amount of people helping communist

the American people

Audrey , TX / October 19, 2023

Incompetent people in office

kamala harris

liberals

Caigan , US / October 2023

war

Israel and hamas

U.S.

Ethan , MO / October 19, 2023

America

Liberal Extremism

Trump

Nicky , NYC / October 19, 2023

Stealing land

Greed and ignorance

Natives

Anonymous , The United States / October 18, 2023

conservative government

republican ideals and facts

trump

kaedyn , mo / October 18, 2023

Music affecting kids

Gangster activity

Black people

Kiral , USA / October 18, 2023

Poverty

Recession

Homeless People

Kate , Canada / October 2023

LGBTQ+ growing

democrates

LGBTQ+ and Democrats

Brayden , PA / October 17, 2023

losing white privilege status

QAnon

Jews

Anonymous , USA / October 17, 2023

Gang Related Shooting

Death/Dangerous Neighborhoods

African American Community

Fabian , Queens / October 17, 2023

covid

death

Chinese people

Anthony , queens / October 17, 2023

Crime

Black People on the news

Black People

Mike , Queens, NY / October 17, 2023

Loss of human Domination of earth

Great Martian War 1907

Martian Immigrants

Afizah , New York / October 16, 2023

Personal rights

Racism

Anyone different

Giovanna , Africa / October 15, 2023

Challenging flawed belief set

Hamas attacks on Israel seen in the media

Jews

Hillary , MA / October 15, 2023

Guns

Officer brutality

Black people

Paris , DE / October 15, 2023

Conservatism

Democrat Controlled Media

Donald Trump

Robert , CT / October 2023

English settlers

Hunger for money

the natives

Anonymous , USA / October 13, 2023

Religious violence

Civil war between Parliament and the Crown in the Sixteenth-century

The people that live in England

Jose , WA / October 13, 2023

Enslavement

English Colonizers

Native Americans

Daetrion , WA / October 13, 2023

Diseas'

Loss of Land

Indigenous People

Emily , USA, Mexico / October 12, 2023

The Spainards

Lust For Gold

The Native Americans

Jamaree , WA / October 12, 2023

Losing loved ones

Losing that one person

mental health

Alissa , New York / October 12, 2023

Racism

Slavery

African Americans

Mason , Wa / October 11, 2023

They have more than me

Egoism

Anyone Different

Serenity , PA / October 11, 2023

Witches

Witches have black cats

Black cats

Marek , SD / October 2023

Immigrants

The rise in arrivals

Biden

Valerie , TX / October 2023

Mass Shootings

Mental Illness

Guns

Anonymous , MA / October 2023

Slavery

Columbian Exchange

Black People

Anonymous , PT / October 10, 2023

Racism/ segregation

Slavery

African Americans

Trevon , WA / October 10, 2023

robots

AI

Elon Musk

Anonymous , TX / October 2023

Losing employment

The Great Depression

Mexicans

Mayca , WA / October 2023

guns

shootings

mental illness

Anonymous , MN / October 2023

Arrival of Reverend Francis Le Jau

impact of slave trade

minorities

Anonymous , Charles Town, Carolina / October 09, 2023

Job Loss and Unemployment

Immigration

Immigrants

Anonymous , MA / October 2023

Catholics gaining power

Religious Differences

Catholics

Lindsey , England / October 07, 2023

Police Brutality

George Floyd

Police

George , USA / October 07, 2023

Contagion

Vaccines

Freedom Of Choice

El , Italy / October 07, 2023

Homework

Anxiety

Teachers

Heidi , West Virginia / October 05, 2023

Infection

COVID

Firing Unvaccinated

Shellie , TX / October 2023

Satan/Religious Beliefs

Satanic Panic

People who are different/Satanist

Giovanna , Wa / October 03, 2023

Decline of mental health in the U.S.

Social Media/Cost of Living

Local and Federal Gov't

Anonymous , NY / October 2023

Racism

Slavery

Southerners

Jennifer , SC / October 03, 2023

Terrorist Attacks

911 Attack

American Muslims

Gary , CA / October 03, 2023

Coranavirus

Death/Lockdown/Closures

Asian Community

R.G. , U.S. / October 03, 2023

Submit a Witch Hunt

Scapegoat
Example: for Massachusetts, put in MA