how ?

Here are some factors and events of the time that set the stage for the Red Scare:

• World War I had made Americans cautious and a repressive environment had been formed in the "land of freedom"
• Several new questionable laws had been placed on the books to protect the country during the war and were not removed after the war had ended
• The war had made Americans intensly nationalistic and patriotic, which made them defensive toward outside ideas
• The nation was being awakened and disturbed by social conflict as the number of strikes grew and events like the Chicago race riot occured. The government grew wary.
• There were many movements for reform and the Women's suffrage and Prohibition were passed (19th and 18th amendments).
• Since many leaders in the striking unions were immigrants, the government was beginning to look towards them them as the root of trouble of the labor unrest.
• Ever since the Communist takeover in Russia, a prejudice and fear of Russians, Communists, and socialist acitivities had begun to mount.
• Because of all the turmoil happening in the country, many people felt it could be quite easy to overturn the government and destroy capitalism (which Big Businessmen greatly feared).
• People related the Bolsheviks with the labor unrest
• People had become disconcerted with technology and the growth of the country and longed to return to the good old days.

The Palmer Raids were in part a reaction of trying to assure the American people of the stability and safety of the country.   

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Last update: March 20, 2000