1. Red Scare after World War I:
- Russian Revolution: The Bolshevik Revolution in Russia in 1917, which brought the communist party to power, sparked fears of communism spreading to other countries, including the United States.
- Palmer Raids: In 1919-1920, U.S. Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer led a series of raids and arrests targeting suspected communists, anarchists, and radicals. These raids were known as the Palmer Raids and resulted in the arrest and deportation of thousands of people without due process.
- Labor Unrest: The post-war period saw a wave of labor unrest, including strikes and demands for better working conditions. Some feared that these labor movements were influenced or controlled by communists, leading to a crackdown on labor organizers.
- Socialist and Anarchist Movements: The early 20th century witnessed the growth of socialist and anarchist movements in the United States. These movements were seen as potential threats to the established social and economic order, contributing to the anxiety about communism.
2. McCarthyism:
- Cold War: After World War II, the Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union intensified, leading to heightened fears of communism.
- Senator Joseph McCarthy: Senator Joseph McCarthy gained prominence in the 1950s by making unsubstantiated accusations of communist infiltration in various sectors of American society, including the government, academia, and the entertainment industry.
- Witch Hunts: McCarthy's accusations led to a series of investigations, blacklists, and loyalty oaths, resulting in the persecution and loss of jobs for many individuals accused of being communists or communist sympathizers.
- Impact on Intellectuals and Artists: McCarthyism had a chilling effect on intellectual freedom, as writers, artists, and other cultural figures were afraid to express views that might be seen as subversive.
Rational or Exaggerated:
Historians and scholars have debated whether the fears of communism during these periods were rational or exaggerated. Here are differing viewpoints:
- Rational: Some argue that the fears of communism were justified given the real threat posed by the Soviet Union, the spread of communism in Eastern Europe, and the activities of communist parties within the United States. They contend that actions such as the Palmer Raids and McCarthyism, though flawed in their execution, were necessary to protect the country from potential subversion.
- Exaggerated: Others argue that the fears of communism were exaggerated, unfounded, or used as a pretext to suppress dissent and civil liberties. They point to the lack of evidence of widespread communist infiltration, the violations of due process, and the damage caused to reputations and careers as evidence of an excessive response. They contend that the anti-communism efforts created a climate of fear and stifled legitimate intellectual discourse.
Ultimately, the assessment of whether the anti-communism of these periods was rational or exaggerated is a complex judgment that involves weighing the perceived threats against the unintended consequences and civil liberties concerns.