The Significance of the Red Scare in 1920s US Society

The Red Scare was indeed a significant aspect of intolerance in US society in the 1920s, but it was not the only factor contributing to intolerance during that time period. The Red Scare, fueled by the fear of communist and anarchist ideologies infiltrating American society, was a direct response to the aftermath of the Russian Revolution in November 1917. The rise of communism in Russia raised concerns about the possibility of similar radical movements taking root in the United States, especially with the influx of Russian and Eastern European immigrants who were often wrongfully associated with being communist radicals or Soviet agents/spies.

The Red Scare was further exacerbated by a series of events that heightened anxieties about radicalism, such as the 1919 workers' strikes involving 400,000 individuals, the Boston Police strike, race riots in 25 towns, and terrorist bombings that targeted government officials. These events, along with the attempted assassination of Attorney General Mitchell Palmer, led to the launch of the infamous Palmer Raids, during which suspected communists were targeted and persecuted. The actions of Palmer, along with the creation of files on suspected communists by J. Edgar Hoover, intensified the atmosphere of fear and suspicion surrounding communist activities in the US.

Furthermore, the case of Sacco and Vanzetti highlighted the prejudices and injustices within the US legal system, as the two Italian immigrants were wrongfully convicted of murder and executed due to suspicions of their anarchist beliefs. The Red Scare, therefore, played a significant role in fueling intolerance and persecution against individuals perceived to be associated with radical ideologies.

However, it is important to note that the Red Scare was not the sole manifestation of intolerance in 1920s US society. Immigration restrictions, such as the 1924 quotas limiting immigration and barring Asian immigrants, also reflected a sense of fear and discrimination toward foreigners. Many Americans viewed immigrants as competition for jobs and carriers of crime, disease, and un-American values. The rise of the Ku Klux Klan, lynching, segregation, racism, religious fundamentalism, the Scopes Trial, Prohibition, intolerance toward women, and mistreatment of Native Americans were all additional manifestations of intolerance prevalent during this time period.

In conclusion, while the Red Scare was a significant aspect of intolerance in US society in the 1920s, it was just one piece of a larger puzzle. The fear of communism and the subsequent persecution of suspected radicals played a pivotal role in shaping the social and political climate of the time, but they were not the only factors contributing to intolerance during the era. The convergence of multiple forms of intolerance, from nativism to racism to xenophobia, characterized the complex landscape of American society in the 1920s.