Describe what happened after WWI and WWII with the Red Scares.

The Red Scares were periods of intense fear and paranoia over the perceived threat of communism in the United States. They occurred after both World Wars and had significant impacts on American society.

First Red Scare (1917-1920):

Background and Causes:
The First Red Scare occurred shortly after World War I, influenced by the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia in 1917, which led to the establishment of a communist government. The fear that communism would spread to the United States was heightened by a series of labor strikes and bombings in 1919.
Key Events:
The government took action through the Palmer Raids, named after Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer. These were a series of raids conducted in 1919 and 1920 to arrest and deport suspected radicals and anarchists. Thousands were detained without proper legal procedures.
Impact:
This period led to civil liberties being curtailed and a culture of suspicion. Many immigrants were unfairly targeted, and anti-immigration sentiments rose significantly.

Second Red Scare (late 1940s-1950s):

Background and Causes:
The Second Red Scare emerged in the aftermath of World War II, driven by the start of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. The discovery that the Soviet Union had developed nuclear weapons and the fall of China to communism exacerbated fears.
Key Events:
A significant figure during this time was Senator Joseph McCarthy, who led investigations into alleged communist activities within the U.S. government and other sectors. This period included the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) investigations and the infamous Hollywood Blacklist.
Impact:
The Second Red Scare resulted in widespread paranoia and led to suspected communists being fired or blacklisted from jobs. It severely impacted the freedom of speech and press and left a lasting scar on American politics and culture. The fear of communism during this time also led to policies that focused on containing its spread globally.

In summary, both Red Scares were characterized by heightened fear of communism, leading to actions that restricted civil liberties and created a climate of fear and suspicion in America.