The Red Scare 1920’s Learning Unit Mrs. Deming

The Red Scare  Political violence helped fuel the Red Scare of the 1920’s Russian Revolution Schenk vs. United States American fears Palmer Raids Sacco and Vanzetti

Russian Revolution  Russian Czar Nicholas II lost popularity due to involvement in World War I; devastating casualties and food shortages  Vladimir Lenin promises “peace, land and bread” Took over government and control of all farms, industries, land and transportation Union of Soviet Socialist Republics formed (USSR)

Communism  Communism becomes the official ideology (thoughts, way of living, etc.)  Components of Communism: 1. Government owned all land and property 2. single political party in control 3. Needs of country a priority over the needs of the individual 4. “classless” society

Pros and Cons of Communism PROS  1.  2.  3. CONS  1.  2.  3.

American Fears  Communism spreading to the United States  Restriction of immigrants into the country  “Red Scare”—Red the symbol for the USSR; intense fear of communism and other politically radical ideas

Schenk vs. United States  Letters were mailed to men who were drafted urging them not to report for duty  Broke the Espionage Act—wartime law aimed at spies and those who opposed the war  Freedom of Speech? Silenced when there is a “clear and present danger” ex. Fire!

Palmer Raids  Bombings of US official A. Mitchell Palmer— creates a fear!  Convinced that radicals were conspiring to overthrow the government  Set up raids and arrests of “suspected” targets  Movement failed due to inconsistent findings…

Sacco and Vanzetti  Two Italian immigrants who were anarchists  Arrested for robbery; found with weapons on them  Tried and found guilty  Many felt they were “profiled” instead of guilty  Sentenced to death by electric chair