1. THE RED SCARE (1919-1921) THE COMMIES ARE COMING! THE COMMIES ARE COMING!

2. Opener Describe/put the Red Scare in your own words. Describe/put the Red Scare in your own words. What else was going in 1919-1921? What else was going in 1919-1921? –WWI had just come to an official end –The Great Migration was in full swing »Racial tensions inflamed…why? »Result…Race Riots throughout the United States –Women had gained the right to vote –Prohibition –Wave of strikes –Beginning of Consumer Economy/Roaring 20s 2-3 words to describe the years 1919-1920 in US? 2-3 words to describe the years 1919-1920 in US?

3. The Red Scare Red Scare: Period of anticommunist hysteria in the U.S. from 1919-1921; culminating in the Palmer Raids Red Scare: Period of anticommunist hysteria in the U.S. from 1919-1921; culminating in the Palmer Raids –Fear widespread infiltration of communists in the government…was largely unfounded Communism: a sociopolitical movement aimed at a classless society, based upon common (rather than private) ownership of the means of production Communism: a sociopolitical movement aimed at a classless society, based upon common (rather than private) ownership of the means of production –Goal: end to capitalist system that caused the exploitation of the working class… –Advocate worker’s revolution Anarchy: society without a publicly enforced government; advocates stateless societies based on voluntary associations Anarchy: society without a publicly enforced government; advocates stateless societies based on voluntary associations

4. One Could Be Labeled A Communist/ Radical if They Were:  Unpatriotic  Conscientious Objector  Draft Dodger  “Slacker”  German-American  Immigrant  and of course Communist

5. Civil Liberties Trampled Crackdown on Socialism/Communism, dissent, civil liberties during WWI. Crackdown on Socialism/Communism, dissent, civil liberties during WWI. –Espionage/Sedition Acts –Connecticut clothing salesmen was sentenced to sixth months in jail simply for saying Lenin was smar –Connecticut clothing salesmen was sentenced to sixth months in jail simply for saying Lenin was smart Repression at the State Level Repression at the State Level –Suspects of disloyalty must kiss flag –No red or black flags –Change curriculum; teachers must sign loyalty oaths American Protective League—spy on neighbors, men must show draft cards American Protective League—spy on neighbors, men must show draft cards Anti-Communist/Socialist sentiment reaches a climax in 1919…WHY? Anti-Communist/Socialist sentiment reaches a climax in 1919…WHY?

6. Causes of Red Scare Bolshevik (Communist) Revolution in Russia; Communist, Vladimir Lenin calls for world workers to rise up in general strikes (1917) Bolshevik (Communist) Revolution in Russia; Communist, Vladimir Lenin calls for world workers to rise up in general strikes (1917) –Fear of communism spreads: seen as threat 1919: 4 million go on general strike—met by government, employers, patriotic org. 1919: 4 million go on general strike—met by government, employers, patriotic org. –Seattle Shipyard Strike: crushed by US troops –Boston Police Strike: entire force fired –Great Steel Strike: put down through propaganda and fear mongering Rising Nativism: Perceive immigrants (esp. S. & E. Europeans) as radicals Rising Nativism: Perceive immigrants (esp. S. & E. Europeans) as radicals Series of Anarchist bombings in 1919 Series of Anarchist bombings in 1919

7. The Red Menace “Employees lose respect for a company that fails to provide decent facilities for their comfort.”

8. Why were labor unions often vilified during the Red Scare? Why were labor unions often vilified during the Red Scare?

9. “The Case against the Reds” – –“…It has been impossible in so short a space to review the entire menace of the internal revolution in this country as I know it, but this may serve to arouse the American citizen to its reality, its danger, and the great need of united effort to stamp it out, under our feet, if needs be. It is being done. The Department of Justice will pursue the attack of these "Reds" upon the Government of the United States with vigilance, and no alien, advocating the overthrow of existing law and order in this country, shall escape arrest and prompt deportation. – –It is my belief that while they have stirred discontent in our midst, while they have caused irritating strikes, and while they have infected our social ideas with the disease of their own minds and their unclean morals we can get rid of them! and not until we have done so shall we have removed the menace of Bolshevism for good.” » »Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer » »Forum, issue 63 (1920)

10. Palmer Raids Attorney General: A. Mitchell Palmer Attorney General: A. Mitchell Palmer –Believes steel strike part of worldwide communist Conspiracy –Wants shot at presidency: uses fears of comm. and immigrants to his advantage U.S. Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer, got $500k from Congress U.S. Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer, got $500k from Congress Goal: The Palmer raids were a series of raids conducted nationwide by the Department of Justice in an attempt to arrest and deport certain left (communist) leaning radical elements.

11. Palmer Raids Appointed J. Edgar Hoover to lead investigations Appointed J. Edgar Hoover to lead investigations Dispatches fed. Agents to raid radical (Communist, Socialist, Anarchist) and labor organizations to “root out conspiracies to overthrow US government Dispatches fed. Agents to raid radical (Communist, Socialist, Anarchist) and labor organizations to “root out conspiracies to overthrow US government –Over 6,000 arrested or deported w/o trial –Civil Liberties Crushed »Often lack search warrants, people denied attorneys, unlawful detained –Compile files on hundreds of thousands Americans –IWW destroyed/Socialist Party crushed –ALMOST NO EVIDENCE OF WRONGDOING FOUND! –Colbert Report: NSA Prism Surveillance Program Colbert Report: NSA Prism Surveillance ProgramColbert Report: NSA Prism Surveillance Program –Palmer Raids: Mini Lesson Palmer Raids: Mini LessonPalmer Raids: Mini Lesson

14. Rising Nativism By 1911, over 45 million immigrants By 1911, over 45 million immigrants –S. and E. European origins; also Jewish, Orthodox, Catholic Nativism Nativism –Strong anti-immigrant sentiment Belief immig. Were diluting Amer. culture Belief immig. Were diluting Amer. culture Also, economic backlash Also, economic backlash –Leads to calls for restrictions

15. Immigration Restrictions Emergency Quota Act (1921)/National Origins Act (1924) Emergency Quota Act (1921)/National Origins Act (1924) –Made immigration restriction a permanent policy –Set quotas at 2% of each national group rep. in the 1890 census…WHY 1890? »Goal: Drastically cut immigration from Southern/Eastern Europe…why? –Literacy requirements Limit “Undesirables” Limit “Undesirables” –Sterilization of less desirable in Indiana Creates an “America for Americans Only” attitude…which along with the fear of communism triggers mass discrimination Creates an “America for Americans Only” attitude…which along with the fear of communism triggers mass discrimination

16. Sacco and Vanzetti Sacco-Vanzetti Trial –Italian immigrants-accused of robbery and murder »Italian descent/anarchists both work against them –Unfair trial-sentenced to execution –Mass protests in Europe—executed in 1927 –Significance? »Example of fear of irrational fear of “radicalism” as well as nativism toward immigrants “I wish to tell you I am innocent and never connected with any crime... I wish to forgive some people for what they are now doing to me.” Sacco and Vanzetti Trial Sacco and Vanzetti Innocent?

17. “I am suffering because I am a radical. Indeed I am a radical. I have suffered because I was Italian. Indeed, I am an Italian. I have suffered more for my family and my beloved than for myself. But I am so convinced to be right that if you could execute me two times, and if I could be reborn two other times, I would live again to do what I have done already. I have finished. Thank you.” -Bartolomeo Vanzetti

18. The Ku Klux Klan Great increase In power Anti-black Anti-immigrant Anti-women’s suffrage Anti-bootleggers Anti-Semitic Anti-Catholic

19. The Ku Klux Klan 1923 4 million members 1923 4 million members Control 6 governorships including IN (not just in South) Control 6 governorships including IN (not just in South) D.W. Griffith’s Birth of a Nation D.W. Griffith’s Birth of a Nation –Explicitly racist landmark American film –Still used as a recruitment piece for Klan membership

20. Exit Slip Activities Step 1: Choose a topic… Step 1: Choose a topic… –Red Scare –Palmer Raids –Sacco and Vanzetti –Immigration Policy of the 1920s Step 2: Choose a medium… Step 2: Choose a medium… –Analogy Flip Book –Comic Strip Step 3: Plan and Design your final product Step 3: Plan and Design your final product Step 4: Present to the class Step 4: Present to the class