In the early '20's, the United States went through what we call a "red scare." You might be familiar with another red scare, it lasted about 40 years and is called the Cold War.
A Red Scare is when the country gets hysterical about it's radicals, anti patriots, and most importantly communists and socialists. After the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, there were lots of labor strikes 'striking' the country. Citizens, as wise as they were, took it upon themselves to believe that it was all the Bolshevik's fault. Silly Bolsheviks!
And then there's good ol' Attorney General Mitchell Palmer - "The Fighting Quaker". Palmer found people to be socialist by the slightest of attitudes. Good American citizens were whisked away from their jobs because he thought they were socialist. This eventually numbereed 6000, which did include some actual Socialists. After a bomb was dropped at his home, the Red Scare intensified. I can't help but sing... "You dropped the bomb on me, baby!"
But that's not all! In December 1919, the Buford deported 249 radicals to Russia. An event like that characterized the Red Scare. In September 1920, a mysterious bomb revitalized the red scare once again. So many bombings!
At the greatest part of the Red Scare during the '20's, many states passed laws reflecting the spirit of the times! In some states, advocating violence as a means to get social change was illegal. This is clearly against the First Amendment and betrays free speech, however, it was a law. Many people were prosecuted, such as IWW members.
However, the Red Scare did have some positive results for a few people. Conservative businesspeople used the Red Scare to halt labor movements by calling them "Sovietism in Disguise." How Tricky!
The most famous case of or Anti-foreignism and Anti-redism was during the trial of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti. In 1920, they were convicted for a murder because the judge and jury were prejudiced against them for being Italian, Atheist, Anarchist, and 'draft dodgers'. Radicals the world over rallied to their cause, however the two men were put to death in 1927. The two men became martyrs for class struggle.
Vanzetti and Sacco
The Red Scare eventually died away after 1921. A revitalization will occur during the Cold War. Always remember: Work Diligently. Or the Communists Win.
11 comments:
Very concise and informative. I do not remember this from AP Euro, so I learned something new.
-Brenna
This is rather unfortunate...although the Roarin' 20s seem to be rather entertaining and fun, it's important to remember all the downsides to the era as well. It seems as though anyone who wasn't a "real" American was persecuted in various ways or another. Nice post.
Ha, AP Flashback... I liked the picture especially the one for "Seeing Red." The information was good too, and was easy to read.
It's interesting to learn that the Red Scare didn't actually initiate in the 50s! Thanks for telling about a hidden and downplayed aspect of the 20s!
The Red Scare was a pretty sad but understandable period in time because it was directed against those who just pushed for the slightest bit of change. what happened to Vanzetti and Sacco was brutal. Nice post.
Work Dillegently, or the Communists will win almost sounds like a Communist thing to say. But I digress. As usual, the student does a better job than the book. Stupid book.
It's nice to know that the Red Scare was good for somebody. This was a great post and really easy to remember.
Wow, I really thought that the Red scare only refers to the COld War sentiment. Now I know better.. Yes, I see through the cloud that is confusion and false truths. No longer will I work poorly. For the American Motherland! Wait, that sounds familiar...
I would hate to be a outgoing socalist during this time. For the innocent people, I feel bad for them, for the guilty.. well they were guilty.
...the song quote was funny, but a bit deadly, don't you think? Still, the blog was funny and now I know more about Communists. Isn't that the American dream?
Hey Nico!!! Thanks for the post! Why do people have to bomb other people? Why can we not just get along? I feel bad for the Italians (well, if they were guilty...not so much). Anyway! I think I understand this better! Gracias muchacho!
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