Why was there a red scare in America in the 1920’s?

FIR GPS F - 1) First World War - 1917 immigration act - fear of immigration following ww1 - 1917 Russian revolution - as a result of Russias involvement in world war one I - 2) Immigration levels increasing R - 3) Racist philosophies are popular (immigrants should be feared) G - 4) Government immigration act (21) create a fear of immigrants that inspires further acts (24). P - 5) Palmer raid suggests immigrants should be feared. S - 6) Sacco vanzetti trial also suggests immigrants should be feared

1917 immigration act - fear of immigration following ww1 1917 Russian revolution - Brought about after Russias involvement in WW1. First truly communist state, scared America. Industrial unrest also made Americans fear a communist revolution - 4 million workers on strike (1919). Police strike in Boston. AMERICA APPEARED UNSTABLE.

1880 - 1920: 2 Million Jewish from Russia and Poland 2 Million Polish Catholics 4 Million Italian Catholics. Eastern European + Russians - America feared the would spread communism. Catholics + Jews: Different to Americas WASP (White Anglo Saxon Protestant) culture.

Francis Amosa Walker \"Immigrants are beaten men from beaten races, they represent the worst failures in the struggle for existence\" Social Darwinsim saw those unfit as dying off. BY 1919 - HALF AMERICANS HAD BEEN BORN ABROAD

Immigration act of 1917 inspired the immigration act of 1921 which then inspired the act of 1924. 1921: Banned individuals from some Asian countries Limited immigration to 150,000 per year. 1924: Quota, only 2% of the number of those foreign nationals could migrate to USA. 90% reduction in Italian catholics immigrating.

6,000 Arrested for so called \"Communist Activity\" (although this was bollocks). Encouraged a fear of communism as many Americans saw these \"communists\" in there local areas - anyone could be a communist. Most of those denounced were immigrants. Scared of communism, and trying to prevent it further, the government took action.

Two Italian immigrants, accused of murdering and bank robbery sentenced to death despite no evidence and someone else coming forward taking the blame for the events. Fear of immigrants grew.