Americans Struggle with Postwar Issues

After World War I, many Americans feared that Communists would take over the country.



1. How did the Justice Department under A. Mitchell Palmer respond to this fear?

First Palmer assigned J. Edgar Hoover as his special assistant. Next they hunted down suspects Communists, anarchists, and socialists. Then they seemed to forget about people;s rights by invading their privacy, not allowing legal counsel to jailed suspects, and deporting foreign born radicals without a trial at all.



2. Why did Palmer eventually lose his standing with the American public?

He eventually lost his standing with the American public because they decided he didn't know what he was talking about. This was decided upon because Palmer's raids failed to provide evidence of a revolutionary conspiracy. Also many thought he was just looking for a campaign issue to gain support in case his presidential aspirations followed through.



3. How did the Ku Klux Klan respond to this fear?

The Ku Klux Klan responded to this fear by trying to drive out the foreigners along with the Roman catholics and Jews out of the country using violence.



4. Why did the Klan eventually lose popularity and membership?

The Klan eventually lost popularity and membership because of its criminal activity.



5. Briefly describe how Sacco and Vanzetti became victims of the Red Scare.

Sacco and Vanzetti became victims of the Red Scare because they were put to death for the robbery and murder of a factory paymaster and his guard. Sacco and Vanzetti were anarchists as well as Italian immigrants. In their trial they provided alibis and asserted their innocence. Witnesses stated the suspects seemed to be Italian. The evidence against them was circumstantial and the judge was very prejudiced in his remarks but in the end they were found guilty. They were still put to death after many protests by people of different nations.





Public opinion turned against labor unions as many Americans came to believe that unions encouraged communism.



6. Why was the strike by Boston police unpopular with the public?

The strike was so unpopular because the public believed strike workers were Communists and when the police striked, Coolidge said, " There is no right to strike against the public safety by anybody, anywhere, any time ." This meant that strikers put the public in danger and they didn;t want that.


7. Why did Massachusetts governor Calvin Coolidge become so popular?

Coolidge became so popular because he stepped in during the the Boston Police Strike by calling out the National Gaurd. People believed he saved Boston from communism and anarchy because strikers were labeled as Communists.

8. Why was the strike at U.S. Steel unpopular?

The strike at U.S. Steel was so unpopular because it resulted in the 300,000 people leaving their jobs and strikebreakers replacing them. Strike workers were beaten by the police, federal troops, and the militia. Then companies used the propaganda which linkedworkers to Communists.


9. How did President Wilson respond to the steel strike?

Wilson responded to the streel strike by using a written plea to the negotiators which asked for the two sides to form a compromise so that there will not be an international war.