Learning Target: Students will be able to define the Red Scare and explain what groups were targeted during the 1920’s as being “un-American” and why social unrest gripped the nation during the postwar era due to the rise of communism through analyzing political cartoons. Skills: Students will be able to thoroughly analyze political cartoons and explain the persuasive devices used in political cartoons.
Amidst this background a climate of fear and panic persists in the US… The year is 1919… We had just won WWI Renewed sense of nationalism and patriotism Bolsheviks/Communists had successfully established communism in Russia Bavaria and Hungary had successful communist uprisings too Amidst this background a climate of fear and panic persists in the US…
What is the Red Scare? A nationwide wave of anti-communist panic Provoked by the success of the Bolshevik (Communist) Revolution in Russia in 1917and communist uprisings in Hungary and Bavaria (Germany). Communism emphasized worldwide revolution
Why were we so afraid of communism in 1919-1920? It emphasized world-wide revolution It may appeal to the working class in the US Majority of people Communism emphasis on equality may be very appealing to the large working class in the US
What were the causes of the Red Scare? Bolshevik Revolution success in Russia Patriotic feelings left over from WWI Communist uprisings in Hungary and Bavaria Two small communist parties formed in US in 1919 (never exceeded 70,000, just 1/10 of 1%of the adult population) Strikes that took place in 1919-Seattle General Strike, Boston Police Strike, Steelworkers
What were the causes of the Red Scare? The press portrayed all strikes and “un- American” and Bolshevistic Hatred of Germans during WWI transferred onto any foreigner-seen as radical Public official and business leaders portrayed strikers as “un-American”
What were the causes of the Red Scare A. Mitchell Palmer directed the Red Scare June 2, 1919-8 bombs exploded in 8 cities in US- one of the bombs in front of Palmer’s Palmer received $500,000 from Congress to launch a campaign to tear out the radical seeds J. Edgar Hoover was made the head of the Anti- Radical Division to gather info about domestic radical ideas
What are the effects of the Red Scare? Palmer Raids-1919-Palmer’s men staged raids on the Union of Russian Workers in 12 cities In December of 1919-249 Russians were deported on a ship called the “Soviet Arc” January 1920-Palmer arrested 4,000 more people, many of the US citizens, in 33 major cities during a single night’s raid
What were the effects of the Red Scare? The public, due mostly to the press, applauded Palmer’s methods Deported 600 radicals-Violation of Civil Liberties
What were the groups targeted in the Red Scare? Immigrants (any foreigner) Communists/Bolsheviks Labor Unions (Boston Police Strike, Seattle General Strike, Steelworkers, Coal miners) Suspected anarchist (Sacco and Vanzetti)
How did the press/media influence public opinion of the Red Scare? They hyped up the fear and panic They portrayed all strikes as Bolshevistic/Communistic and “un- American”
Does the Press/Media influence people’s opinion’s today?
Analyzing Political Cartoons following WWII
Directions Each group will be given a political cartoons to analyze In the letter space provided on your chart, fill in the proper information Your group will then present the following information: 1. Who the cartoon is attacking 2. What message the author is communicating 3. The persuasive devices the author is using
Exit Slip From yesterday’s and today’s lesson on the climate of fear that existed after WWI, list 3 groups that were being targeted as “un- American” and explain why.