The Impact of the Media on anti-Communist Sentiment and the Palmer Raids

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Recommended: Anti-Communist Sentiments during the Cold War

After World War One and the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, fear of communism was escalating in America. Everybody seemed to fear the so-called “Red Menace”, a term introduced by Edgar J. Hoover. Partnering with Hoover was a man named A. Mitchell Palmer, head of the Justice Department. Palmer became a leader in the fight against communism. He most likely was prompted by being a target of one of the infamous 1919 bombings (Dumenil 220). Palmer wanted to be known as the embodiment of Americanism, fighting all that threatened our society. He also had future hopes of running for the Presidency. With anti-communistic attitudes building throughout the country, Palmer rounded up 500 federal agents on the night of January 2nd, 1920 to sweep through various towns in America capturing “reds”. These were called the Palmer Raids. Thousands of immigrants were arrested and held without due process. They were given no rights when arrested and their homes were raided without warrants. Eventually 240 immigrants were deported to Russia as a result of these raids.

The people of America were afraid their way of life was being threatened by the communists. Overwhelming fear of communism seemed to capture the whole attitude of our country in the early 1920’s. The fuel to this fire against communism, would have to be the media. I believe the media caused an escalation in the anti-Communist feelings during the times leading up to and during the Palmer Raids.

There are many ways the media influences society, but in the 1920’s the main source was newspapers. The New York Times was one of the most popular and prestigious papers of this time and also one of the most influential. Many people had fait in what they read and never second gu...

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Guest, Edward A. “Heaven On Earth.” Detroit Free Press Magazine 11 Jan. 1920: 2

Hoyt, Edwin. The Palmer Raids, 1919-1920 An Attempt to Suppress Dissent. New York: The Seabury Press.

Murray, Robert. Red Scare: A Study In National Hysteria, 1919-1920. Minnesota: North Central Publishing, 1955.

“Reds Plotted Country Wide Strike Arrests Exceeded 5,000, 2,635 Held; 3 Transports Ready For Them” New York Times 4 Jan 1920: 1

Remelgas, Alexandra. “News Reporting And Editorial Interpretation Of The Palmer Raids 1919-1920 By Three Detroit Newspapers: A Study” Thesis For Degree Of M.A. MSU, 1970,

Shulam, Alix. To the Barricades: The anarchist Life Of Emma Goldman. New York. Thomas and Crowell Company, 1971.

Who Built America, v. II. “Between to Wars – The Palmer Raids.” CD Rom. 25 January 2000. http://chnm.gmu.edu/courses/hist409/red.html

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