The First Red Scare Flashcards
(13 cards)
What was the First Red Scare (1917–1920)?
A period of intense fear in the US of communist revolution, anarchists, and left-wing movements, sparked by the Russian Revolution and domestic unrest.
How did WWI contribute to the First Red Scare?
It increased patriotism and suspicion of immigrants. Nativism grew, and the loyalty of immigrants, especially from Eastern Europe, was questioned.
What impact did the Russian Revolution (1917) have on the US?
It led to fears that communism would spread to America, especially due to immigrants from Russia and Eastern Europe.
Which groups were feared during the Red Scare?
Anarchists, communists, pacifists, militant trade unions (like the IWW), and recent immigrants from Eastern Europe.
What was the Sedition Act (1918)?
A law that prosecuted individuals for anti-war or anti-government views; over 1500 were prosecuted, including Eugene Debs.
What was the Boston Police Strike (1919)?
A strike by mostly Irish-American police officers demanding union rights. It caused panic about lawlessness and was seen as a sign of communist influence.
Who gained political popularity from ending the Boston Police Strike?
Massachusetts Governor Calvin Coolidge, later elected Republican Vice President in 1920.
Who was Mitchell Palmer?
U.S. Attorney General who led efforts to combat the “Red threat” through raids and deportations of suspected radicals.
What triggered the Palmer Raids?
A wave of bombings in 1919, including one at Palmer’s home, and major strikes such as the Boston Police Strike.
What were the Palmer Raids (1919–1920)?
Raids on suspected radical groups across 12 cities, leading to 249 deportations, including figures like Emma Goldman.
What was the “Red Ark”?
Nickname for the USS Buford, which deported suspected radicals, including Emma Goldman, back to Russia in 1919.
What role did J. Edgar Hoover play in the Red Scare?
He coordinated federal raids at the local level while working under Palmer, and later became head of the FBI.
Why did the First Red Scare end in 1920?
Public protests, legal rulings against the Palmer Raids, and the failure of Palmer’s prediction of revolution on May Day 1920.
