The First Red Scare - birdvilleschools.net

The First Red Scare 1918-1921 WWI Ends 1918 Numerous deaths and destruction world mood altered becoming violent and unsettled

Government during WWI gained more control strict laws used against Americans mood of fear and suspicion Soldiers return home production

decreases unemployment soars wages fell prices of goods remain high strikes erupt Bolshevik Revolution Russia, 1917 Worlds first communist state created by Vladimir

Lenin Violent state Promoted revolutions around the world 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 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

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

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. Back to Normal May 1920 things settling down

Public backlash to Palmer Raids and restrictions on protesting Warren G. Harding elected president 1921 pardoned and freed victims of Palmer Raids