Red Scare Overview and Immigration Restrictions

Study Notes

Red Scare Overview

The Red Scare refers to the 1919-1920 period marked by the federal government's deportation of several hundred immigrants with radical political beliefs due to fears of communist subversion following the Russian Revolution.
Approximately 35 million immigrants arrived in America between 1820 and 1920, leading to growing concerns about their political influence.

Immigration Restrictions

New laws significantly limiting immigration were enacted during the 1910s and 1920s in response to societal tensions.
Immigrants were often viewed as threats, accused of introducing 'un-American' ideas, especially associating Russian immigrants with communist ideologies.

American Communist Party

The American Communist Party was established in 1919, primarily by Russian immigrants, fueling public anxiety about potential communist revolutions akin to the one in the USSR.
The party's existence heightened fears among Americans who worried about the possibility of a similar uprising within the United States.

Labor Strikes and Anarchist Fears

A notable incident involved a strike by 100,000 Boston police officers in which communists were blamed for the unrest.
In July 1919, there was a terrorist attack linked to communism, where a bomb exploded near the residence of Attorney General Alexander Palmer, accompanied by propaganda from a communist newspaper.

Palmer Raids

The Palmer Raids were initiated by Attorney General Palmer to arrest suspected communists, resulting in around 6,000 arrests across 33 cities.
Authorities found minimal evidence, only a few pistols and no explosives, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the fears driving the raids.

Impact on Trade Unions

The Red Scare led to a decline in trade union membership, dropping from 6 million in 1920 to 3.6 million in 1923, reflecting widespread paranoia and decreased worker solidarity during this tumultuous period.

Description

Explore the Red Scare of 1919-1920, a pivotal period marked by mass deportations of immigrants due to fears of communism following the Russian Revolution. Learn about immigration restrictions implemented in response to societal tensions and the establishment of the American Communist Party, which intensified public anxiety about radical ideologies.