Second Red Scare: Late 1940s - 1950s (overlaps with the Cold War)
Who:
A. Mitchell Palmer: U.S. Attorney General during the First Red Scare; led the Palmer Raids.
J. Edgar Hoover: Head of the FBI during both Red Scares; instrumental in gathering information and pursuing suspected communists.
Senator Joseph McCarthy: Key figure in the Second Red Scare; led aggressive investigations into alleged communist infiltration of the U.S. government and society.
Suspected individuals: Immigrants, labor leaders, intellectuals, entertainers, government employees, and anyone suspected of having communist or socialist sympathies.
HUAC: House Un-American Activities Committee - Congressional committee that investigated alleged communist influence in the United States, especially in the entertainment industry.
What:
First Red Scare: A period of intense anti-communist hysteria fueled by the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, labor unrest, and a series of bombings attributed to anarchists. It led to widespread fear of foreign influence and radical ideologies.
Second Red Scare: Driven by Cold War tensions with the Soviet Union and China, fears of espionage and subversion within the United States intensified. Anti-communism became a dominant theme in American politics and culture. Characterized by loyalty oaths, blacklisting, and aggressive investigations by government agencies and congressional committees.
Impact:
Violation of Civil Liberties: Both Red Scares resulted in the violation of civil liberties, including freedom of speech and association. Individuals were often accused of communist sympathies based on flimsy evidence or rumor.
Palmer Raids: (First Red Scare) - Targeted suspected radicals, leading to mass arrests, deportations of immigrants, and the suppression of radical organizations.
McCarthyism: (Second Red Scare) - Senator McCarthy’s highly publicized accusations and investigations created a climate of fear and suspicion, ruining the careers and reputations of many individuals.
Blacklisting: Individuals suspected of communist ties were often blacklisted, preventing them from finding employment.
Impact on Labor Movement: Weakened the labor movement by associating it with radicalism and communism.
Political Conformity: Discouraged dissent and promoted political conformity.
Lasting Legacy: The Red Scares left a lasting legacy of fear and distrust, influencing American foreign and domestic policy for decades. Shaped the development of US surveillance state.