Communist Revolution in America? - The Red Scare 1919 I THE GREAT WAR 1919

Summary

In this episode of 'The Great War,' the Red Scare of 1919 is explored, detailing the United States' anti-Bolshevik frenzy marked by strikes, bombings, and government crackdowns. The fear of a Bolshevik revolution, fueled by labor unrest and race riots, led to the formation of the Anti-Radical General Intelligence Division under J. Edgar Hoover. The episode also covers global events, including the Romanian army's capture of Budapest and the signing of the Treaty of Rawalpindi, ending the third Anglo-Afghan war.

Takeaways

• 🎧 Audible is highlighted as a sponsor, offering audiobooks that the team uses for research and history content on the go.
• 📚 The script recommends 'A People's Tragedy' as a comprehensive English-language book on the Russian Revolution, suggesting its detailed narrative and interpretation.
• 🗓️ The episode discusses the 'Red Scare' of 1919 in the United States, detailing the fear of a Bolshevik revolution and the subsequent societal and political tensions.
• 🏭 The post-World War I labor movement in the U.S. is described, with the American Federation of Labor (AFL) leading strikes for better conditions amidst harsh working environments.
• 💥 The summer of 1919 is characterized by strikes, race riots, bombings, and government crackdowns, all contributing to the escalation of the Red Scare.
• 📰 Media portrayal of labor unrest as Bolshevik plots is mentioned, with examples of how the press fueled public hysteria and suspicion of radical uprisings.
• 👮‍♂️ The government's response to perceived Bolshevism includes the formation of the Anti-Radical General Intelligence Division, led by J. Edgar Hoover, to investigate and suppress radical activities.
• 💣 A series of bombings in 1919, including the infamous attack on Attorney General Palmer's house, are detailed, illustrating the fear and suspicion directed towards radicals and perceived Bolshevik sympathizers.
• 👨‍🔬 The Lusk Committee's investigation into seditious acts and the prevention of a Bolshevik revolution is discussed, showing the extent of the government's concern and actions against perceived threats.
• 🌐 The global context of the Red Scare is provided, with events in Russia, Europe, and the Middle East, showing the interconnectedness of political and military developments during this period.
• 🔄 The Red Scare's impact on American society is summarized, with the fear of a Bolshevik revolution intertwining with racial tensions, labor disputes, and xenophobia, leading to widespread paranoia and violence.

Q & A

What was the main topic of the episode of 'The Great War' discussed in the script?

The main topic of the episode was the Red Scare of 1919 in the United States, focusing on the anti-Bolshevik sentiment, strikes, bombings, race riots, and government crackdowns.

What was the role of J. Edgar Hoover in the context of the Red Scare mentioned in the script?

J. Edgar Hoover was put in charge of the Anti-Radical General Intelligence Division within the Bureau of Investigation, tasked with hunting for radicals and supposed Bolshevik threats.

What was the significance of the Russian Civil War episode mentioned in the script?

The Russian Civil War episode was significant as it utilized the book 'Orlando Figures of People's Tragedy' for research, which is an English-language book on the Russian Revolution and its aftermath, providing a detailed narrative and interpretation of the events.

How did the script describe the relationship between the AFL and the government during the Great War?

During the Great War, the AFL and the government had an agreement to halt strikes in order to increase war production. The government promised to maintain protections for workers, but this agreement ended once the war was over.

What was the impact of the post-war conditions on the U.S. labor movement in 1919?

Post-war conditions led to serious difficulties for American workers, including the loss of government support for their rights, a wave of inflation, a rise in unemployment, and competition for jobs from demobilized soldiers and former war industry workers.

How did the media portrayal of the Seattle general strike contribute to the Red Scare?

The media portrayed the nonviolent Seattle general strike as a Bolshevik attack, with headlines suggesting it was a test for revolution, which fueled fears of a Bolshevik uprising and contributed to the growing Red Scare.

What was the Senate committee's conclusion about the relationship between the Socialist Party of America, the IWW, and the Bolsheviks?

The Senate committee concluded that the Socialist Party of America, the IWW, and the Bolsheviks were working together to stage a revolution in America, based on their shared history of using a red flag and the perceived vulnerability of up to 8,000 unions to Bolshevik propaganda.

What event in May 1919 marked an escalation of the violence accompanying the Red Scare?

The May Day parades and celebrations in 1919, which were accompanied by widespread rioting and violence against participants in numerous cities, marked an escalation of the violence accompanying the Red Scare.

How did the bombings in June 1919 affect the perception of the Red Scare?

The bombings in June 1919, including the infamous attack on Attorney General Palmer's house, reinforced the climate of fear and were blamed on the Bolsheviks and others under the 'red banner,' further escalating the Red Scare.

What was the significance of the formation of the United States' first Communist Party in the context of the Red Scare?

The formation of the United States' first Communist Party, with its platform of overthrowing capitalism and establishing a dictatorship of the proletariat, kept up fears of a Bolshevik plot and contributed to the ongoing Red Scare.

How did the script describe the connection between the Red Scare and race riots in the summer of 1919?

The script described the connection by highlighting the common view of African Americans as Bolshevik sympathizers during the summer of 1919, with race riots being linked to Soviet Russia in the eyes of many, despite the riots being a result of racism and tensions over jobs and housing.