lecture recording on 12 March 2025 at 16.09.43 PM

The Rise of Communism and the Red Scare

In the early 20th century, communism emerged as a significant political and economic ideology, especially following the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, where the Bolsheviks established a communist regime. This system eliminated private ownership of businesses and property, which clashed fundamentally with the American values centered on personal ownership and capitalism. Consequently, many Americans perceived communism as a dire threat to their way of life. The apprehension intensified with the influx of Eastern European immigrants, who often carried with them socialist and anarchist philosophies, raising fears that a communist uprising could take root in the United States.

The 1919 Bomb Scare

The fears surrounding a communist uprising escalated in 1919 when a series of bombings highlighted the potential threat. A plot targeting influential political figures and businessmen, including US Attorney General Alexander Palmer and Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., was uncovered, with 36 bombs mailed to notable individuals. Notably, on June 2, 1919, eight bombs detonated simultaneously in cities nationwide, further alarming the public. In response, the US Justice Department initiated the Palmer Raids, intending to identify, arrest, and deport communists and anarchists involved in these threats. Over 5,000 individuals were deported during this period, marking the peak of the Red Scare—a time characterized by widespread paranoia about communist influence in the nation.

Perceived Threats in the 1920s

Amidst this turmoil, additional threats were reported, further aggravating public fear. In April 1920, during a significant labor riot, two men were murdered, with anarchists blamed for the unrest. Nicolas Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, both self-identified anarchists, were arrested for a robbery-murder in Braintree, Massachusetts. Their trial was mired in controversy and public doubt, yet the societal urge to find culprits for crime led to their conviction and execution in August 1927. Furthermore, rumors of an impending major uprising on May 1, 1920, circulated but ultimately proved unfounded.

Wall Street Bombing

On September 1, 1920, a bomb exploded on Wall Street, resulting in 38 fatalities and injuring over 140 individuals. Once again, attention turned towards communists and anarchists as potential suspects, though no arrests were made. While there was indeed a notable communist and anarchist presence in the United States during the late 1910s and 1920s, many historians argue that the prevailing fear of a communist revolution stemmed more from mass hysteria than from actual threats to national security.

African American Experience During this Era

Jim Crow Laws

In addition to the Red Scare, the 1920s were marked by significant racial tensions in America, particularly in the Southern states. The Jim Crow laws, designed to enforce racial segregation, remained in effect, mandating the separation of Black and white individuals in various public spheres such as schools, transportation, and housing. These laws perpetuated systemic discrimination, affecting many aspects of daily life.

Lynching and Racial Violence

Lynching became a prevalent form of extrajudicial punishment, wherein mobs would publicly execute individuals, often Black men, without legal proceedings. This brutal practice reflected the deep-seated racial hatred prevalent in society and epitomized the violent enforcement of Jim Crow laws. Such societal violence further fueled the Great Migration, wherein over one million Black Americans relocated from the South to Northern cities between 1916 and 1920, seeking better opportunities and fleeing systemic oppression. Despite these aspirations, many migrants encountered new forms of racism and segregation in their new environments.

The Cultural and Societal Divide

The migration of Black Americans to cities like Detroit, known as Motor City, led to both cultural flourishing, such as the birth of Motown music, and continued social challenges. Migrants faced significant employment discrimination, often becoming the last hired and first fired. Racial tensions culminated in various race riots across Northern cities during the 1920s, reflecting underlying societal divides.

Fundamental Divide in American Society

The period also witnessed a stark cultural and ideological divide in America, primarily between urban and rural populations. Urban centers became hotspots for modernist views, promoting progress and diversity, while rural areas, particularly the Bible Belt, resisted change, often adhering to fundamentalist beliefs. This dichotomy culminated in events like the Scopes Monkey Trial, which highlighted tensions surrounding education, science, and religion. Modernists favored adapting societal norms, while fundamentalists sought to preserve traditional beliefs rooted in Christianity.

Conclusion: A Tumultuous Era of Change

The 1920s in America were characterized by a complex interplay of fear, migration, and societal change. The Red Scare reflected the national anxiety over communism, further complicated by racial tensions evident in the Jim Crow laws and the violent reactions to African American migration. This tumultuous era set the stage for ongoing societal debates about identity, race, and accountability in American life that continue to resonate today.