How did the fear of radicals and foreigners affect the outcome of the Sacco and Vanzetti trial?

Answer 1

The fear of radicals and foreigners during the Sacco and Vanzetti trial significantly influenced public perception and the judicial process. The defendants, both Italian immigrants and anarchists, were viewed with suspicion in the context of post-World War I America, which was marked by rising nativism and anti-immigrant sentiment. This bias led to a lack of a fair trial, with the prosecution focusing on their political beliefs rather than the evidence, ultimately resulting in their conviction despite doubts about their guilt. The case became emblematic of the era's xenophobia and the broader struggle for justice and civil rights.