The First Red Scare

Overview

  • The First Red Scare occurred immediately after World War I, spanning from 1917 to 1920.

  • Society was extremely uneasy due to the Espionage Act and the Sedition Act, viewed as an infringement of constitutional rights post-war.

  • Illustration of government book burnings targeting anarchist and communist literature.

  • Major discussion points for this module:

    • Definition of communism and its theory.

    • Context of the Red Scare after World War I.

    • Government responses, particularly by the Woodrow Wilson administration.

    • Overview of the Palmer Raids.

    • Formation and purpose of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

Definition and Theoretical Background of Communism

  • Communism: A political theory advocating for a classless society where means of production are owned and controlled by the public.

    • This concept generates fear among many Americans in the context of capitalism, where a wealthy elite exists supported by a poor labor force.

    • Karl Marx - A german philosopher/political theorist/economist

  • Fear among Americans was intensified by the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia:

    • Triggered by industrial strikes, food shortages, and women demonstrations.

    • Resulted in the establishment of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) under leaders like Vladimir Lenin.

Societal Fear Root Causes

  • The fear emanated from a sense that capitalist nations, including the U.S. and Western Europe, faced threats from revolutionary movements driven by the proletariat or working class.

  • Increased fear with the creation of Comintern (Communist International):

    • A group of communists that aimed to promote worldwide communist revolutions and disrupted capitalist countries.

Political Cartoons Illustrating the Red Scare (Melting Pot)

  • Depictions of Uncle Sam being threatened by Bolshevik agitators, symbolizing fears of a communist takeover.

  • Graphics depicting America's diversity and suggesting that these new radical ideas were incompatible with American values.

Legal and Social Repercussions

  • The ongoing enforcement of the Sedition Act and Espionage Act targeted communists and anarchists:

    • Courts prosecuted individuals discussing or advocating for communist ideas.

  • Anarchy defined: The belief that society should not be governed by any form of authority.

Notable Cases

  • Sacco and Vanzetti Case:

    • Two Italian anarchists sentenced for robbery and murder, their trial sparked support from leftist sympathizers due to perceived injustice.

  • Schenck v. United States (1919):

    • Upheld Schenck's conviction under the Espionage Act for mailing leaflets opposing the military draft.

    • Illustrated tension between national security concerns and individual freedoms.

Labor Unrest and Socioeconomic Factors

  • Transitioning economy post-WWI from war to peace led to significant job and wage conflicts:

    • The large number of strikes in 1919 linked to perceptions of labor unions as breeding grounds for radicalism.

    • Increased the fear that America was under attack by “radical” forces.

  • Misalignment of labor needs led to inflation and public dissatisfaction with government handling of the economic shift.

  • Public perception tied labor unrest to radical communist influence:

    • Groups like the NAACP and advocates for social change were unfairly associated with communism, inflating societal fears.

Government Response: Palmer Raids

  • Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer utilized the Red Scare to bolster anti-communist sentiments:

    • Following a bomb explosion at his house, he escalated efforts against suspected radicals.

  • Creation of the General Intelligence Division in the Department of Justice, precursor to the FBI, led by J. Edgar Hoover.

    • Conducted policing aimed at rounding up about 6,000 suspected radicals, primarily immigrants, across 30 states.

  • Legal violations noted in the Palmer Raids:

    • A series of controversial, often illegal, raids intended to arrest and deport radical leftists and anarchists during the First Red Scare (targested immigrants from Russia and Eastern and Southern Europe.  

    • Suspects were denied legal counsel; interrogations were conducted without due process.

    • Only 556 deportations resulted, with no plans uncovered to topple the government.

Formation of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

  • The ACLU was established in response to abuses during the Palmer Raids:

    • Led by Louis F. Post, focused on protecting the Bill of Rights against government overreach.

    • Comprised of pacifists, lawyers, and progressive activists aiming to monitor and halt violations of civil liberties.

Philosophical and Ethical Implications of Government Power

  • Examination of the balance between national security and individual freedoms:

    • Questions arise about the extent of government authority in protecting security while safeguarding rights.

    • About how these tensions echo historical patterns, especially into the modern context concerning issues like terrorism.

Conclusion

  • This module highlighted the First Red Scare as a complex interplay of fear, legislation, social unrest, and government response, setting the stage for ongoing discussions about civil liberties and government power.