What effect did fear of communism have on immigrants in America?

Answer 1

After the 1917 Communist revolution in Russia, many Americans began to fear communism and the threat it posed against the American republic and society. Out of fear and suspicion, the Americans became hostile and wary of immigrant populations.The US Attorney General, Michael Palmer played a great part in increasing this fear, as he was convinced that is was likely a communist revolution could happen in America unless the country was purged of the "foreign born subversives and agitators". However, it is thought, that he was using his power and status to get back at anarchists, who made an attempt on their life in 1919.Purges began on January 1st 1920 after which, 6000 "aliens" or suspected communists were rounded up by the Justice Department and were either imprisoned or expelled from the US, This irrational fear heightened even more after an explosion of an anarchist bomb in Wall Street in September in 1920 where 38 people were killed. This had a huge impact on the justice system for immigrants, and many were refused a fair trail purely for being suspected anarchists, they were also some cases who were denied their basic human rights such as the case of Sacco and Vanzetti, two Italian immigrants and known anarchists who were sentenced to death on circumstantial evidence for robbery.

Answer 2

The fear of communism in America, particularly during the Cold War era, had a significant impact on immigrants. Many immigrants, especially those from countries associated with communism, faced suspicion, discrimination, and even deportation. Immigration restrictions were tightened, and there was increased scrutiny and surveillance of immigrant communities. Immigrants felt pressure to assimilate and prove their loyalty to the United States to avoid being labeled as potential threats.