The Red Scare in America was a period of panic and paranoia due to the spread of communism in Asia and the Bolshevik revolution in Russia. Anti-communist propaganda led to arrests, detentions, and deportations. A second Red Scare occurred during the Cold War, led by Senator Joseph McCarthy.
Red referred to the color red associated with communism, while denoting conservatism. In 1919, it became a growing concern for many Americans when it seemed Asia was about to be completely communist and when the Bolshevik revolution occurred in Russia. Soon, with the help of anti-communist propaganda, a widespread feeling of panic and paranoia took over many people. This resulted in thousands of people being arrested, detained, sent to prison or deported. A second Red Scare swept through America during the Cold War.
With news of the Bolshevik revolution in Russia in 1919 and the spread of communism in Asia, many people in the United States feared that anarchists and communists would attempt their own revolution in America. At the time, patriotism and support for World War I became essential for most to prove they had no ties to any form of communism. Almost everyone who spoke out against the war or even unionizing workers became suspects of anti-American and communist behavior. It was common for many of these people to be monitored by both neighbors and the government.
During the time of the Red Scare, strikes for workers’ rights spread throughout the United States. Socialist groups in America have generally been blamed for initiating strikes, and participants have generally been labeled Communists. In May 1919, the American Legion was formed; its primary function was to disseminate information and anti-communist propaganda. Attorney General Palmer and J. Edgar Hoover also began a government-wide search for communist behavior.
The General Intelligence Division of the Bureau of Investigation was formed in the late summer of 1919. It monitored suspected Communists and sought to uncover conspiracies and plots against the government. The division soon arrested, detained and jailed nearly thousands of people. Hundreds were also deported during this period. With the new year, however, the anti-communist campaign began to die down.
After Russia and America united to fight Nazi Germany in the 1950s, both countries soon entered the Cold War. During this time, a second Red Scare began in which Senator Joseph McCarthy was the primary leader in the Communist hunt. His effective method of what some might call a casual charge was soon labeled “McCarthyism.” During this period, several prominent Americans, from celebrities to civil servants, were accused of Communism. It wasn’t until he attempted to accuse senior army officers and a prominent news anchor of communism that this Red Scare began to slowly decline.
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