The Palmer Raids and the Red Scare Communism and Hysteria in 20th Century America

What was Happening in America After World War I? Rise in consumerism among the wealthy Manufacturing and production increased Prohibition leads to rise in crime and political corruption Inflation leads to a decrease in workers’ wages & higher amount of lay offs Worker strikes and protests Race Riots and civil unrest within the U.S. Competition for employment rose Irrational fear of radicals and communists-leads to the “Red Scare”

Communism? Capitalism? Communism-political and economic doctrine that aims to replace private property and a profit-based economy with public ownership and communal control of at least the major means of production (e.g., mines, mills, and factories) and the natural resources of a society. Capitalism-also called free market economy or free enterprise economy, economic system, dominant in the Western world since the breakup of feudalism, in which most of the means of production are privately owned and production is guided and income distributed largely through the operation of markets. What are the major differences? Why would communism be considered a threat to America?

Red Scare Fear of communism and “radicals” Occurred in the years following WWI Fear of Bolshevik type revolution happening in the United States

Red Scare Palmer Raids conducted in response to May Day bombing of 1919 June 2, 1919 General Palmer’s house is bombed by radicals Palmer and J. Edgar Hoover created the General Intelligence Division within the FBI Division focused on anticommunist efforts. Russian workers and anarchists were heavily targeted January 1920- between 3,000 and 10,000 arrests were made of suspected communists. Some arrests led to deportation.

Who does that effect? Immigrants Intellectuals opposed to capitalistic ideology American citizens suspected of any affiliation with Russian citizens/government Those deemed to be “radical” or leftists – anyone opposed to the majority opinion rooted in capitalism, Christianity, and individual wealth.

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Palmer Raids What caused this type of hysteria surrounding communism? Why was communism a threat to American society? How does the American economy after WWI effect the rise of communism? Why would some people start supporting communism/socialism? How do the Palmer Raids go against the ideas of democracy and ideas about free speech, freedom of religion, and etc.?