Communism: An economic system with no private ownership of businesses or property.
Bolsheviks: The Communist group that took over Russia in 1917.
Reasons for Widespread Fear
Pride in personal ownership: Many Americans valued owning homes and businesses, viewing communism as a direct threat to their lifestyle.
Immigration Concerns: Recent influx of immigrants from Eastern Europe, where communist and anarchist philosophies were prevalent, heightened fears of a potential uprising in the U.S.
Key Events and Incidents
1919 Bombing Plot:
36 bombs mailed to political figures and businessmen (e.g., U.S. Attorney General Alexander Palmer, Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, John D. Rockefeller, J.P. Morgan).
June 2, 1919: Eight bombs exploded simultaneously in different cities.
Palmer Raids (1919-1920):
In response to the bombings, the U.S. Justice Department conducted raids to arrest and deport suspected communists and anarchists.
Over 500 foreign-born citizens were deported.
Sacco and Vanzetti Case:
In April 1920, two men were murdered during a robbery at a shoe factory in Braintree, Massachusetts.
Anarchists Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were tried and found guilty, despite controversy and doubt about their guilt.
They were executed in August 1927.
Rumors of Uprisings:
A rumor circulated about a potential uprising on May 1, 1920, which did not materialize.
September 1, 1920: Bomb explosion on Wall Street killed 38 and injured over 140; communists and anarchists were suspected but no arrests were made.
Conclusion
There was likely a genuine presence of communist and anarchist groups in the U.S. during the late 1910s and 1920s.
However, the widespread fear and panic over communist uprisings were largely attributed to mass hysteria and paranoia among the American public.