Analyzing Red Scare Primary Sources

Joshua·

History

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SubjectHistory

This learning resource focuses on the First Red Scare in the United States, analyzing the historical context and government actions during this tumultuous period post-World War I. It emphasizes the anti-radical paranoia sparked by the 1917 Russian Revolution and the subsequent Palmer Raids, which led to widespread civil liberty impacts. The resource includes primary source documents, such as a newspaper excerpt from 1919 warning of radical threats and A. Mitchell Palmer's justifications for his actions against supposed communists. Students are prompted to engage with these documents through routines like See-Think-Wonder and analyze how the climate of fear influenced legal proceedings, as exemplified by the Sacco and Vanzetti trial. Additionally, it encourages students to reflect on the legacy of the Red Scare and its relevance to contemporary issues of political and social fear.