Nativism and the Red Scare Nativism and Isolationism

Nativism and the Red Scare.

Nativism and Isolationism WWI had America exhausted, emotionally and physically. We were turned off from getting into European affairs, so we developed this isolationist policy that basically meant we wanted to be left alone and not get involved in other people’s drama. This also led to Nativism, which is the idea that any foreign born person shouldn’t be trusted.

Red Scare We were particularly afraid of Communists, especially after the Russian Revolution. This led to what is known as the Red Scare, red for the flag of Communism. It also led to the Palmer Raids.

Palmer Raids Palmer was the Attorney General and he organized these raids on Communists, socialists, and anarchists. They abused civil rights, searching without a warrant, putting people in jail without a trial…. etc. They were unsuccessful in turning up any evidence of a communist plot to overthrow the US government, though.

Sacco and Vanzetti These guys were anarchists, and Italian immigrants, which basically was two huge strikes against them in the early 1920’s. They get accused of murder and sentenced to death. Their guilt, however, is still very much in question.

Textbook reading. Read section 12. 1 in the online textbook for homework tonight.