How did the phrase witch hunt gain a political meaning in the 20th century?

In the 20th century, the term "witch hunt" evolved from its historical association with the persecution of alleged supernatural practitioners into a metaphor for aggressive, politically motivated campaigns. This shift occurred as the phrase was increasingly used to describe efforts to identify and punish individuals or groups for their political beliefs or associations rather than for criminal acts.12

A pivotal moment in this transition was the 1950s, when the term became synonymous with the investigations led by Senator Joseph McCarthy to root out "communists" within the United States government. These proceedings, often characterized by unsubstantiated allegations and the defamation of character, were widely criticized as a "witch hunt" because they relied on fear and the targeting of perceived subversives.12

Earlier 20th-century usage appeared in contexts such as the Spanish Civil War, where George Orwell used the term to describe political persecutions. Ultimately, the metaphor serves to highlight the ethical failure of campaigns that prioritize the destruction of an opponent's reputation over the pursuit of justice or truth.2