WW1 - The Palmer raids

Question 1

How would tough action against ‘Red Scare’ help Palmer?

Answer 1

It would help his political career but he was also genuinely convinced that the threat from socialism and anarchists was real.

Question 2

What happened in April and May 1919?

Answer 2

Fears heightened by bombings (bombs sent in packages to many public figures e.g. Mayor Hanson in Seattle).

Question 3

What happened in the autumn of 1919?

Answer 3

Public outcry when bomb exploded in Palmer’s house and this prompted the Palmer Raids.

Question 4

What happened in november and december 1919?

Answer 4

• November - Palmer’s Justice Department agents raided offices of ‘radical organisations’ in 12 cities across the US. December - 249 ‘radicals’ were deported back to Europe.

Question 5

What happened in January 1920?

Answer 5

Palmer raids continued, with action in 33 cities to close down all known communist party officers.

Question 6

What did many cities pass? Describe the gangs.

Answer 6

Red flag’ laws to ban left-wing insignia. Vigilante gangs operated against union activists in Washington State and California.

Question 7

When and how did the ‘Red Scare’ lose momentum?

Answer 7

Lost momentum in 1920 - there were protests against violation of people’s rights.

Question 8

What did the Supreme Court rule and what campaign took place in NYC?

Answer 8

• Supreme Court ruled that Palmer Raid evidence was invalid.

- Governor of NYC mounted a campaign to reverse the expulsion of socialists from state legislature.