The Red Scare: A Fear Felt Across America

The Red Scare was a period of extreme fear and paranoia that swept across America in the early 20th century. It was a widespread fear of the spread of communism that was spurred on by real and perceived threats of communist spies infiltrating the government and capitalist economy. The Red Scare is considered one of the darkest periods in American history, leading to the chilling of free speech and persecution of innocents.

Origin of the Red Scare

The origin of the Red Scare can be traced back to the Russian Revolution. After the 1917 revolution, a wave of anti-Bolshevism swept across Europe and the United States. This combined with fears of immigration and foreign influence was to lead to the Red Scare of 1919-1920 and the Palmer Raids.

The Palmer Raids

The Palmer Raids were orchestrated by then-Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer. He launched a campaign of mass arrests and deportations of anyone suspected of being a communist. People were rounded up without any due process, with rumors and secondhand evidence leading to arrests and deportation. These cycles of mass arrests and deportations led to the Red Scare of 1919-1920, and the fear of communists spread rapidly throughout the country.

The Fear of Communists

The fear of communists was fed primarily by fearmongering. Sensationalized stories of plots to overthrow the government and sabotage the economy gave rise to the fear of a “Red Menace.” Along with fearmongering, real events such as the Russian Revolution and the Soviet Union added to the fear. This fear was further fed by the rise of the Communist Party in America, and the Communist International, or Comintern. This organization was founded in 1919 to promote revolution and the spread of communism.

The Second Red Scare

The Second Red Scare began in 1947 and lasted until the mid-1950s. This concept was forged in the aftermath of World War II and was a response to the perceived threat of communism that had been spreading in Europe. The Second Red Scare was marked by the creation of the House Un-American Activities Committee, or HUAC, to investigate communist activities within the United States. Thus began a period of blacklists, persecution of supposed communists, and the infamous Hollywood Ten.

The Legacy of the Red Scare

The legacy of the Red Scare is one rooted in fear and paranoia. The fear of communists led to the curtailment of civil rights and liberty, and set a precedent for how real and perceived threats to the nation were treated. While the Red Scare has diminished over time, it is still used to justify policies and fears abroad. The Red Scare has left a turbulent legacy that has shaped the way America perceives those outside its boundaries.