1. The First Red Scare

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

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

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

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

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 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