The Red Scare

What is Capitalism

Capilitism is the idea of building Private Wealth. This was the main political theme in America

What is Communism

Communism is where the government controls all businesses and labour. no one is allowed to accumulate private wealth. Its main purpose was too close the difference between rich and poor and make everyone equal

What was the Sacco and Vanzetti trial

Sacco and Vanzetti were Italians who were self-confessed anarchists and hated the American government and capitalism. They were accused of killing a security guard and stealing $15,000. They were then taken to court and trialed under Judge Thayer. Due to the Red scare being at an all time high, the Judge Thayer was caught up in it delusions and was since acting in prejudice and in bias. The red scare also aroused so much strong emotion, that it took a week to find a suitable jury which had was not entirely biased. Due to the fear of communism and radicalism, Judge Thayer declared them guilty and had them executed. Later, after WW2, the evidence in trial was reconsidered and the original decision of Sacco and Vanzetti being guilty was revoked. This is an example on how emotionally strong and potent the red scare was and the fear it bred within all Americans.

What were the main events of the Red scare

Strikes: There were numerous strikes, about 3600 strikes involving 400,000 American workers who were convinced that communists were keen on destroying the American way of life. Most of the strikes was a result of terrible working conditions and low pay for the workers, but the government labeled as the communist instigating conflict, and used 'heavy-handed' tactics to disperse the people Bombs: The fear of anarchism was greatly associated with bombings. There were a series of bombings, one which destroyed part of the Attorney-General, Mitchell Palmers's home. The effect of event was greatly exaggerated by the press, who whipped up mass hysteria

How did American immigration policy change

The Americans feared other nationalities and blamed them for the increasing tension and violence in their cities. Thus, they changed the immigration policy by introducing a quota. A proportion of new immigrants were allowed to enter, in relation to the total population of that nationality in America. This proportion was set to 3% in 1921. 1924 the figure was reduced to 2% and by 1929 only 150,000 immigrants were allowed to enter. No immigrants from Asia, Southern and Eastern Europe, as well as China and japan were allowed in USA. This change in policy of immigration shows how widespread and significant the development of intolerance was within America

What were the connotations of Red

The Americans labeled communists as reds and associated the color red with communism due to the USSR having red as a dominant color in its flag

What were the Palmer Raids? Why did they happen?

The palmer raids was a retaliation by Mitchell palmer due to his home being destroyed. He devoted himself to rounding up anyone he believed who was a 'red'. During the Palmer raids, 4000 to 6000 people were suspected and arrested for being communist. OF that 556 of them were deported but there was no concrete evidence that the people who were deported were communist or supported communism. Even after the raids, people were overcame with mass hysteria and used the Red scare as a means of hurting ethnic groups who they disliked

What was the Red Scare?

The red scare was a widespread movement throughout America, where America feared anarchists and communist. This stemmed hatred and anger towards all immigrants in America, often condoning acts of violence against them.