A witch hunt is generally considered to be a search for witches or practitioners of black magic. However, throughout history there have been many witch hunts, although those who were persecuted were not always called witches. Their other names were communists, spies and heretics. Arrests resulting from these witch hunts were usually based on false accusations, and the fate of those on trial, like those depicted in Arthur Miller's The Crucible, was usually decided before the trial even began. After learning about witch hunts time and time again, one begins to wonder why there have been so many witch hunts all over the world in all eras. Many experts believe that the causes of witch hunts, regardless of time period, are the result of "everyone looking for someone to blame" (Shermer) for the problems in their life when they cannot blame themselves. take responsibility himself. the hunt took place in 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts. Salem in 1692 was occupied by the Puritans who had a very strict moral code. Despite this, people still committed sins. When the growing number of witchcraft accusations became public, many saw it as "a long-awaited opportunity for all those inclined to publicly express [their] guilt and sins, under the guise of accusations against the victims." . » (Miller) For example, if a man had land disputes with his neighbor, he could simply accuse him of witchcraft, take his land and not feel guilty. Accusations of witches began to be made repeatedly for various reasons, including adultery. When people saw how the accusations of witches conveniently lined up to the advantage of the accuser, those people in turn did the same thing and so the accusations spread until the end... . middle of paper ......t? Is it possible for personal responsibility to return? » (Montgomery) Works Cited Arnold, David. “Find someone to blame.” Boston Globe (Boston, Mass.). January 31, 1992: 1+. Researcher on SIRS issues. Internet. February 26, 2012. Bartholomew, Robert E. and Erich Goode. “Mass delusions and hysteria.” Skeptical investigator. May/June 2000: 20-28. Researcher on SIRS issues. Internet. February 26, 2012. Miller, Arthur. The Crucible (Penguin Classics). London: Penguin Classics, 2003 Montgomery, Scott. "It's not my fault." Palm Beach Post (West Palm Beach, Florida). December 4, 1994: 1D+. Researcher on SIRS issues. Internet. February 26, 2012. Shermer, Michael. “An epidemic of accusation.” Skeptical. Spring 1994: 52-57. Researcher on SIRS issues. Internet. February 26, 2012. Yanak, Ted and Pam Cornelison. "McCarthy, Joseph R." The great information seeker on American history. December 1, 1993: np SIRS Issues Researcher.Web. February 26 2012.