Unit 4: The 1920s and 1930s
Lesson 5: The Red Scare
FOCUS ACTIVITY
I Can Do It!
I can describe the Red Scare and explain its effects on Americans during the 1920s.
TEACHING ACTIVITY
Guided Reading
DIRECTIONS: We are now going to read today's text as a class. Remember to follow along. I will select readers randomly by calling out numbers. Important terms, people, places, and events are highlighted in the toolbox.
The Red Scare
In Russia On the Left: Vladimir Lenin - Leader of the Bolsheviks in Russia
The world is torn by war. Terrorism strikes fear into the hearts of people everywhere. Sounds like today's 5:00 news, right? Actually, this was the world of the early 1900s. The Great War was raging in Europe. In Russia, a group called the Bolsheviks waged civil war. They took over the nation of Russia in 1917. Many of the rebels were anarchists. They believed in the total disruption of law and order. Bombs were a common tool of this group. The anarchists killed many who opposed them.
In the U.S. In 1904 Eugene V.Debs ran for President as a member of the Socialist Party.
The U.S. wasn't the scene of a battlefield. However, a war of sorts was going on. There had been a long debate over U.S. involvement in the war. Then America had joined the conflict. A wave of patriotism and unity swept the nation. Anyone opposed to the war then was considered un-American. Some groups remained against the war. One of these groups was the Socialists. The Communists were another. Involvement in the war, they believed, was a ploy of the wealthy.
The Reds
Socialists defended the cause of the wage earner. They believed that wealth should be divided out evenly among all. The Communists carried these ideas even further. They sought a society where people were not allowed to accumulate wealth. They believed the working class should rule. The symbol of these ideals was a red flag. "Reds" became the shorthand label for anyone who held these ideals.
Both groups were involved in the growing discontent among U.S. workers. At a socialist gathering, a labor group called the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) came into being. They were known as the Wobblies. The IWW called on workers to gather together. This huge union would then fight for workers' rights. Wobblies wanted to abolish the system of worker vs. factory owner. A song by Joe Hill expressed their ideals.
"Workers of the world, awaken.
Break your chains! Demand your rights! All the wealth you make is taken By exploiting parasites."
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TOOLBOX
Bolsheviks: a group of Russian anarchists that waged civil war in Russia and took over the nation in 1917
anarchists: rebels who believe in breaking the law, using violence bombing, and killing to take over the government Socialists: a group who believed that wealth should be divided out evenly among all people Communists: a group who wanted a society where people were not allowed to build up their wealth and believed the working class should rule Reds: the nickname given to all socialists and communists because their ideals were considered red flags discontent: feeling displeased or unsatisfied with something or someone Industrial Workers of the World (IWW): a labor union that gathered workers together to fight for workers' rights and end the feud between industry workers and owners Wobblies: nickname given to members of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) deported: to force a person who is not a citizen to leave a country revolution: the usually violent attempt by many people to end the rule of one government and start a new one radicals: people who have extreme political or social views that are not shared by most people suspicion: a feeling that someone is possibly guilty of a crime or of doing something wrong |
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Not all socialists or IWW followers believed in anarchy. But many Americans were a little nervous already. They were confused about all these radical ideas. A bloody revolution had already taken place in Russia. Would it happen in America? |
1920 Wall Street Bombing
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The Labor Wars
At the same time, other problems were coming to light. At war's end, industries struggled to find markets for their goods. Returning soldiers were hard put to find jobs. Wages and conditions went downhill. A wave of labor unrest hit the U.S. Workers in the vast shipyards of Seattle organized a strike. In all, some 60,000 workers walked off the job.
An IWW leaflet produced in Seattle during the General Strike.
National news reports branded the workers as "Reds." The papers predicted the fall of the city. The people of Seattle rushed to buy survival supplies. In the city and the nation, panic took hold. Thousands of police and federal troops were called out. In the end, labor leaders called off the strike. A short time later, a bomb plot was uncovered. Plans for the bombing of the home of Seattle's mayor were found before they could be carried out.
The events in Seattle influenced public feeling for months afterward. Any new attempt at labor organization was declared a "Red" plot. In fact, the slightest stir anywhere for any reason caused panic. Many people were stricken with fear. Would the violence of Europe become a way of life in America? Was the U.S. becoming another area of conflict? Where were the radicals hiding? Where would they strike next? Something must be done!
Suspicion spread like wild fire. People who had come to America from other places were viewed with distrust. Anyone expressing the slightest tinge of discontent with the U.S. was suspect. Anyone leaning toward workers' rights was branded a radical. All were labeled communists or "Reds." The U.S. had plunged into a vast ocean of fear. The waters of this storm-tossed sea had a distinct color. They were "Red."
Suspicion spread like wild fire. People who had come to America from other places were viewed with distrust. Anyone expressing the slightest tinge of discontent with the U.S. was suspect. Anyone leaning toward workers' rights was branded a radical. All were labeled communists or "Reds." The U.S. had plunged into a vast ocean of fear. The waters of this storm-tossed sea had a distinct color. They were "Red."
WHOLE GROUP ACTIVITY
Understanding Concepts
DIRECTIONS: In this activity, we will discuss the answers to the following questions:
1. What group started a Civil War in Russia during World War I?
2. What are anarchists?
3. Who were socialists?
4. Who were communists?
5. Why were socialists and communists called Reds?
6. Who were the Wobblies?
7. How did the events in Russia affect the American public?
8. What was the public's reaction to the strike at the Seattle shipyards?
9. How do you think the Red Scare might have contributed to U.S. efforts to stop mass immigration?
10. Why do you think socialism and communism seemed like a good idea to members of the working class?
1. What group started a Civil War in Russia during World War I?
2. What are anarchists?
3. Who were socialists?
4. Who were communists?
5. Why were socialists and communists called Reds?
6. Who were the Wobblies?
7. How did the events in Russia affect the American public?
8. What was the public's reaction to the strike at the Seattle shipyards?
9. How do you think the Red Scare might have contributed to U.S. efforts to stop mass immigration?
10. Why do you think socialism and communism seemed like a good idea to members of the working class?
SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY
Arbitrating the Great Debate
DIRECTIONS: In this activity, your group will act as arbitrators in a debate between an employer and his workers who are members of the I.W.W. Read both of their arguments. How would you suggest that they settle their differences? As a group decide what the employer should do differently and what the workers should do differently. Write down your official plan and be ready to share it with the class.
The Arguments are embedded below:
The Arguments are embedded below:
INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY
Exit Pass
DIRECTIONS: In this activity you answer prove that you have met the Lesson Mission by answering the essential question of the lesson. Please complete the exit pass below. This question is worth 10 points and is graded for accuracy. You MAY use the reading and any notes you took.
HOMEWORK
Finish the Lesson and Family Time
Remember, you have homework every night in Social Studies. First, share with your family what you learned in class today. Second, review your exit pass response to each lesson and the lesson vocabulary to help you study for the test.
END OF THE UNIT 4 LESSON 5 MODULE
Making Up This Lesson
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If you missed today and need to make up this lesson, simply read today's reading and complete your exit pass. Remember, this is taken for a grade - so do your best work! If you do not have internet access, this will be given to you in paper form. It must be completed within two days of returning from an absence.
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