1 / 29

The First Red Scare

Explore the tumultuous era following the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia and the aftermath of WWI, resulting in a wave of violence, suspicion, and paranoia in the United States. Learn how the government cracked down on dissent, leading to arrests, deportations, and a period of unrest and fear. Discover the response to the Red Scare, from the Palmer Raids to the public backlash and the eventual return to normalcy in the mid-1920s.

floress
Download Presentation

The First Red Scare

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The First Red Scare 1918-1924

  2. Bolshevik Revolution • Russia, 1917 • World’s first communist state created by Vladimir Lenin • Violent state • Promoted revolutions around the world

  3. WWI Ends 1918 • Numerous deaths and destruction • world “mood” altered becoming violent and unsettled

  4. Government during WWI • gained more control • strict laws used against Americans • mood of fear and suspicion

  5. Soldiers return home • production decreases • unemployment soars • wages fell • prices of goods remain high • strikes erupt

  6. Unrest Begins in the US • Radicals in the West organized a communist party, powerless • Caused chaos; terrified the nation • Communist hysteria • April 1919 packages with bombs delivered through the mail

  7. Responses to the Red Scare • Wilson was president • Laws passed during WWI that prevented people from protesting • “Fighting Quaker” Attorney Gen. Palmer led crusade against leftists with suspect allegiance, 6000 suspects held. • Palmer Raids = arresting US citizens who were radicals, imprisoned and denied a lawyer

  8. The “Red Scare” • Dec. 1919: 249 alien radicals deported to Russia on the ship Buford. • Sept. 1920: Hysteria heightened by bomb on Wall Street.

  9. Several states passed criminal syndicalism laws: mere advocacy of violence for social change was criminalized. • 1920: 5 NY legislators denied seats because they were Socialists. • Conservative business owners used “scare” against labor: “open” shop was “American plan.” • 1921: Many regarded the conviction of Sacco & Vanzetti as a “judicial lynching” because they were Italians, atheists, anarchists, and draft dodgers.

  10. Back to Normal • Mid 1920’s things settling down • Public backlash to Palmer Raids and restrictions on protesting • Warren G. Harding elected president pardoned and freed victims of Palmer Raids

More Related