The Red Scare

The Red Scare of the 1920s was a period of fear over communism's power and spread in America. It was significant because it began a long era of fear of communism.

The causes of the Red Scare were related to post-World War I unrest, nationalism, fear of immigrants, the Bolsheviks overthrowing the Russian government, economic factors such as unemployment and inflation, poor working conditions, and the Spanish Flu pandemic.

The Red Scare affected political decisions relating to war, freedom, and immigration in the 20th century American political and social landscape.

During the Red Scare, there were series of actions taken to combat the fear of communism, including government investigations, arrests, deportations, and restrictions on civil liberties.

Factors such as poor working conditions, labor unions, strikes, economic instability, and the Spanish Flu pandemic contributed to the fear of a communist-like revolution during the Red Scare.

The Palmer Raids were a series of raids conducted by the U.S. government to arrest suspected radicals and anarchists during the First Red Scare. They were led by Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer and young J. Edgar Hoover.

Emma Goldman was a Russian immigrant and a radical. She was arrested during the Palmer Raids and deported back to Russia on the USS Buford.

The First Red Scare was a significant event that sparked a fear of communism in the United States and influenced various aspects of society, including economic inequality, labor unions, public health, xenophobia, and immigration.

The Immigration Act of 1924, also known as the Johnson-Reed Act, imposed quotas on immigration from different countries. It was a response to the First Red Scare, as it limited immigration from communist countries and reflected the fear of communism.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was founded as a response to the Palmer Raids and the violations of civil liberties. It was established by a group of individuals who sought to fight for justice and protect constitutional rights.

The major events of the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 include the abdication of Czar Nicholas Romanov, the coup led by Vladimir Lenin, the establishment of the first communist regime, and the subsequent Russian Civil War. The Bolsheviks, made up of impoverished workers and peasants, overthrew the provisional government and instituted themselves as the head of the communist regime. The white army, consisting of monarchists, capitalists, and supporters of democratic regimes, challenged the Bolshevik government, leading to a civil war that lasted until 1923. Ultimately, the red army claimed victory and established the Soviet Union.

During World War I, the czarist regime in Russia faced economic, industrial, and military weaknesses. Troops often lacked appropriate weapons, and some had no weapons at all. The Russian forces suffered defeat after defeat, with peasants bearing the brunt of the casualties. Food production and distribution issues also arose, leading to widespread hunger among the peasants. These hardships created discontent and provided fertile ground for the Bolsheviks to gain support and overthrow the Russian government.

The key principles of the Bolsheviks' ideology were aligned with Karl Marx's vision of communism. They believed in a world of equality achieved through a working class revolution. According to Marx's theory, the state would own all resources, services, and means of production, and people would participate in labor equally. Through the help of the government, resources would be shared, and the class system would be eliminated. The Bolsheviks aimed to bring Marx's vision to life through their revolution.

The rise of xenophobia and the anti-immigration movement in America during the 1880s was influenced by the rapid industrialization and an immigration boom. Particularly, the increasing immigration from China led to heightened xenophobia. As a result, the Chinese Exclusion Act was passed in 1882, marking the first act that barred a specific group from immigrating. Additionally, the Immigration Act of 1891 further restricted immigration by banning polygamists, the sick, and those convicted of crimes.

The First Red Scare in 1919 was fueled by several major factors. The unpopularity of the war in Europe and America, fear of foreigners, especially non-English speakers, and the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia created a climate of anxiety regarding the potential spread of communism in America. Economic downturn following the end of the war, the impact of the Spanish Flu, and labor disruptions including strikes and fears of unemployment further heightened tensions and led to the start of the First Red Scare.