What is the "Red Scare"? |
This is the term used to describe the fear many Americans felt about the possibility of communism finding its way to the United States, infiltrating the US government, spreading amongst the population, and ultimately leading to the collapse of American democracy and values
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In 1917, the Russian Revolution occurred. Russian Communists, first known as the Bolsheviks, took power over Russia, murdered the entire royal family, and established a Communist regime in Russia. Russia officially became known as the Soviet Union.
If this could happen in a country as large and with as much history as Russia, what was to keep it from happening in the United States? |
A. Mitchell Palmer-Attorney General appointed by President Wilson
Several letter bombs were found in the mail, sent by Italian anarchists. One of these letters was sent to Palmer and exploded on his porch. Other bombs exploded in mailboxes around the country. Palmer created a new group in the Justice Department, headed by J.Edgar Hoover. They arrested Russian workers suspected of radical activity in 12 cities across the US. More than 200 of them were deported. These raids in about 30 cities became known as the "Palmer Raids". About 6,000 suspects were arrested--mostly foreigners from Russia and Germany. The Palmer Raids weakened the labor unions. |
Sacco and Vanzetti were two Italian immigrants that were arrested for murder in 1920. They were also known anarchists (radicals who opposed organized government).
Their trial showed extreme bias. The judge continually referenced how "un-American" Sacco and Vanzetti were, citing their disloyalty to the US through their escaping of the World War I draft by fleeing to Mexico. Evidence in the trial was unclear, but both men were found guilty and sentenced to death. All requests for an appeal were denied. After 7 years of legal battling, Sacco and Vanzetti were executed. |