First Red Scare

The First Red Scare refers to a period of intense anti-communist hysteria and fear of radicalism that swept the United States in the aftermath of World War I and the Russian Revolution of 1917. The term “Red Scare” itself reflects the association of communism with the color red, symbolizing both the Bolsheviks in Russia and the fear of a spreading “red” or socialist influence. This study examines the both the causes for and actions during the first red scare on transnational, national, state, local, and individual levels.

First Red Scare

1. Table of Contents

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   Russian Revolution (1917):

   • The Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, led by Vladimir Lenin, established a socialist government. This event raised fears among conservative elements in the United States about the spread of revolutionary ideologies.

2. Impact of World War I:

   • The end of World War I saw the emergence of economic challenges, labor strikes, and social unrest. Many Americans associated radicalism with social upheaval and perceived threats to the existing order.

3. Palmer Raids:

   • Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer conducted a series of aggressive raids in 1919 and 1920 to arrest and deport suspected radicals, particularly those associated with anarchism and communism. The raids targeted labor activists, immigrants, and anyone deemed subversive.

4. Red Summer (1919):

   • The summer of 1919 was marked by a series of race riots and labor strikes across the United States. These events heightened social tensions and contributed to the perception of radicalism.

5. Espionage and Sedition Acts:

   • During World War I, the U.S. government had passed the Espionage Act (1917) and the Sedition Act (1918), which restricted freedom of speech and allowed for the prosecution of individuals expressing anti-government sentiments.

6. Fear of Radical Labor Movements:

   • The labor movement gained strength after the war, leading to strikes and demands for better working conditions. The fear of radicalism often extended to labor organizations, such as the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), which was targeted during the Red Scare.

7. Anti-Immigrant Sentiments:

   • Immigration became a focal point of fear, with suspicion falling on immigrants from Eastern and Southern Europe. The nativist sentiment led to increased restrictions on immigration.

8. Sacco and Vanzetti Case:

   • The trial and execution of Italian immigrants Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti in 1927 became a symbol of the perceived injustice during the Red Scare. Many believed that they were convicted more for their anarchist beliefs than for the crime they were accused of committing.

9. Impact on Civil Liberties:

   • The First Red Scare had a significant impact on civil liberties, with the suppression of free speech, assembly, and association. Government and private organizations monitored individuals suspected of radical sympathies.

10. Legacy:

    • While the First Red Scare subsided in the early 1920s, its legacy endured. The fear of communism resurfaced during subsequent periods, notably the Second Red Scare during the Cold War.

The First Red Scare reflected the social and political anxieties of the post-World War I period, as the United States grappled with the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, economic challenges, and social changes. It set the stage for future episodes of anti-communism in American history.