Topic 4, Lesson 5: Why was there a Red Scare?

Topic 4, Lesson 5: Why was there a Red Scare?

WW1 Suspicion of Immigrants

• How did an increased feeling of patriotism in America during WW1 lead to the first red scare?

• How did the outbreak of WW1 affect the number of immigrants entering America?

• What was ‘nativism’?

• How did the feeling of ‘nativism’ change during the 1910s?

The outbreak of WW1 saw a surge of patriotism (love of country) in America. This meant that Americans felt protective of their homeland and became hostile toward ‘unreliable foreign elements’.

The start of WW1 in 1914 interrupted the flow of immigrants from Europe who were entering America.

Ideas of ‘nativist’ American citizens became more prominent in the 1910s, particularly with the rise of the KKK from 1915 onwards.

Topic 4, Lesson 5: Why was there a Red Scare?

The Russian Revolution & Red Scare (1917 - 1920)

• When was the Russian Revolution?

• Which other historic event did the Russian Revolution coincide with?

• Which rule was overthrown during the Russian Revolution?

• What was the name given to the Russian Revolution?

• Between 1918 and 1919 there were other communist takeovers in Europe. Which countries saw communist takeovers between 1918 and 1919?

• Which group of people were spreading communism?

The Russian Revolution took place in October 1917.

This coincided with America’s entry into World War One in April 1917.

The Russian Revolution (also known as the Bolshevik Revolution) saw the autocratic rule of the Tsars being overthrown and replaced by the communist Bolsheviks.

In 1918-1919, Communist revolutions broke out in Berlin, Munich and Hungary.

Fear of communism being spread by immigrants from Central and Eastern Europe aroused deep suspicions in the US.

Topic 4, Lesson 5: Why was there a Red Scare?

The Sedition Act (1918)

• When was the Espionage Act introduced?

• What did the Espionage Act do?

• Give an example of someone who was imprisoned under the Espionage Act.

• When was the Sedition Act passed?

• What did the Sedition Act do?

• How many prosecutions were carried out under these acts?

• What fraction of the prosecutions carried out resulted in convictions?

Espionage Act

• Introduced in 1917

• Criminalised actions that could be seen as detrimental to America’s defence such as spying

• One of those jailed under the Espionage Act was leader of the Socialist Party, Eugene Debs

Sedition Act

• Passed in May 1918

• Extended the Espionage Act

• More than 1500 prosecutions were carried out with two thirds of them resulting in convictions

Topic 4, Lesson 5: Why was there a Red Scare?

Boston Police Strike (1919)

• Why did the entry of America into WW1 lead to industrial unrest?

• During which year did America see a wave of strikes involving more than 4 million workers?

• When did the Boston Police Strike take place?

• What percentage of police officers went on strike?

• What nationality were most of these police officers?

• What was one of the demands of the police officers who went on strike?

• Where did public opinion lie?

• How did the Boston Police Strike impact the reputation of future President, Calvin Coolidge?

The First World War led to widespread industrial unrest and social upheaval in America.

When members of the armed forces returned home, they created problems in the job market and a rise in trade union militancy (violence in order to pursue a political cause).

During 1919 there was a wave of strikes involving more than 4 million workers.

One of these strikes was the Boston Police Strike which took place in September 1919. 75% of the police officers, who were mostly Irish American went on strike. One of their demands was the right to join a trade union; specifically, the American Federation of Labour (AFL).

Public opinion supported the authorities (not the strikers). The Massachusetts state governor and future president, Calvin Coolidge, became widely popular for breaking the Boston Police Strike. This would help Coolidge to become the Republican vice-president candidate for the 1920 presidential election.

Topic 4, Lesson 5: Why was there a Red Scare?

Bombing Campaign (1919)

• What genuine belief held and spread by US Attorney General Mitchell Palmer was heightened during the series of bombing campaigns that took place during 1919?

• During which months of 1919 did America see a wave of bombing campaigns?

• How were bombs sent to many public figures?

• How did the US public react to this series of bombing campaigns?

• How did big industry workers react to this series of bombing campaigns?

Mitchell Palmer was genuinely convinced that the threat from communists and anarchists was real. These fears were heightened during April and May of 1919 when America saw a series of bombing campaigns.

Bombs were sent in packages to many public figures.

In response to these bombing campaigns, there was a public outcry.

Big industrial strikes followed including the Boston Police Strike, which prompted the start of the Palmer Raids.

Topic 4, Lesson 5: Why was there a Red Scare?

US Attorney Palmer and the Palmer Raids (1919)

• How did US Attorney Mitchell Palmer use the Red Scare as a way of helping his political career?

• What order did Mitchell Palmer give to his agents in November 1919?

• How many cities did these raids take place in?

• What happened to the suspected reds captured by Palmer’s agents?

• Name one high profile individual who was deported under the Palmer raids.

• Who coordinated the Palmer Raids?

• How many cities were known to house Communist Party offices in January 1920?

Mitchell Palmer was quick to see that taking tough action against the ‘Red Scare’ could improve his political career.

In November 1919, agents under orders from Palmer’s Justice Department raided the offices of “radical organisations” in 12 cities.

Documents were seized and suspects were arrested.

In December 1919, 249 “radicals” were deported back to Europe on the ‘Red Ark’.

The Red Ark (USS Buford) was a US Naval ship used to transport “aliens” back to Europe.

An approving cartoon at the time depicted the departing ship with the caption: “It is better to give than receive”.

The Palmer Raids continued into January 1920 with action in 33 cities to close down all known Communist Part offices across the United States.

The Palmer Raids were coordinated by J Edgar Hoover, who was the future leader of the FBI.

Topic 4, Lesson 5: Why was there a Red Scare?

End of the Red Scare

• When did the first Red Scare end?

• What did the Supreme Court rule about the evidence collected during the Palmer Raids?

• How did Mitchell Palmer try to revive the Red Scare?

• How did the end of the Red Scare impact Mitchell Palmer?

The Red Scare lost all momentum and ended in 1920.

The Supreme Court ruled that the evidence collected during the Palmer Raids was illegal and could not be used in trials.

Mitchell Palmer tried to revive the Red Scare by predicting that a Communist revolution would break out across America on May Day 1920.

May Day → 1st May (Labour Day)

No such revolution happened and Palmer lost all credibility.