Although the economic boom following the end of World War I opened way for many individuals to grow financially, it certainly did not cease the political and social unrest that resided within the American borders. Americans felt insecure within their own nation. Many hardcore nationalists believed immigrants, otherwise known as “aliens”, were a great threat not only to American integrity, but to the nation’s safety as well. Since the late 1800s, beginning with the Chinese Exclusion act of 1882, American politics regarding foreign policies became of high national importance.
In October 16, 1918, First Congress passed the law titled the Deportation Act, which “provided for deportation of aliens who are anarchists, that is to say, persons who do not believe in any form of organized government, and of aliens who believe in or advocate the overthrow by force or violence of the United States government or who are members of any organization that advocates the overthrow of government by force” (Dunn 11). This law was executed partially because of the great labor force revolution fear that Americans bore since the Russian Revolution of 1917, considering the Immigration Act of 1917. This was merely the beginning of something bigger however. “On December 21, 1919, 249 aliens, alleged to be radicals, were deported on the S.S. ‘Buford’ (Panunzio 10).
Soon after the act of 1918 was undertaken by the American government, what were known as the “Palmer Raids” began occurring. In January 2, 1920, what were known as “G-men” or Government Men, struck the nation arresting and detaining large amounts of radical appearing individuals without proof (Dunn 32). This public execution of the law comes to show how American politics were becoming more conservative. Considering the fact that Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer’s raids had no legal authority and violated the Constitution, the alien deportations were still executed. “Between November 1, 1919, and April 26, 1920, warrants were issued by the department of Labor for the arrest of 6350 aliens who ere alleged to be in the country in violation of the law” (Panunzio 16). Approximately 3000 of the initial warrants were carried out, finally resulting in the ordered deportation of 762 persons; 455 communists and 307 members of the Union of Russian Workers. Out of those 762, only 271 were actually deported (Panunzio 16).
In conclusion, the outcome of this so-called “Red Scare” stint in American history proved to be disastrous in my eyes. It did in fact change the social and political customs of American life forever. The American society became more conservative in its views, and completely and ignorantly destroyed the lives of many innocent individuals who had nothing to do with any radical involvement. Many of the deported individuals were innocent laborers whom had been American citizens for a long time, ranged from 20 to 40 years old, and had families of their own (Panunzio 16). However, it is not in anybody’s right to say what is morally correct or impractically wrong, the only thing in mind is the peace that can never be restored to those families whose leading role figure were illegally and wrongfully taken away from them.
[1] Dunn, Robert W. The Palmer Raids. New York: International Publishers CO. INC., 1948.
[2] Panunzio, Constantine M. The Deportation Cases of 1919-1920. New York: Commission on the church and social Service, Federal council of the churches of Christ in America, 1921.
[3] Wolford, L. "USAT Buford (U.S. Army Transport)." Historical Section, U.S. Navy, 1926. 1926. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Accessed November 14, 2013. http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-us-cs/army-sh/usash-ag/buford.htm.
In October 16, 1918, First Congress passed the law titled the Deportation Act, which “provided for deportation of aliens who are anarchists, that is to say, persons who do not believe in any form of organized government, and of aliens who believe in or advocate the overthrow by force or violence of the United States government or who are members of any organization that advocates the overthrow of government by force” (Dunn 11). This law was executed partially because of the great labor force revolution fear that Americans bore since the Russian Revolution of 1917, considering the Immigration Act of 1917. This was merely the beginning of something bigger however. “On December 21, 1919, 249 aliens, alleged to be radicals, were deported on the S.S. ‘Buford’ (Panunzio 10).
Soon after the act of 1918 was undertaken by the American government, what were known as the “Palmer Raids” began occurring. In January 2, 1920, what were known as “G-men” or Government Men, struck the nation arresting and detaining large amounts of radical appearing individuals without proof (Dunn 32). This public execution of the law comes to show how American politics were becoming more conservative. Considering the fact that Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer’s raids had no legal authority and violated the Constitution, the alien deportations were still executed. “Between November 1, 1919, and April 26, 1920, warrants were issued by the department of Labor for the arrest of 6350 aliens who ere alleged to be in the country in violation of the law” (Panunzio 16). Approximately 3000 of the initial warrants were carried out, finally resulting in the ordered deportation of 762 persons; 455 communists and 307 members of the Union of Russian Workers. Out of those 762, only 271 were actually deported (Panunzio 16).
In conclusion, the outcome of this so-called “Red Scare” stint in American history proved to be disastrous in my eyes. It did in fact change the social and political customs of American life forever. The American society became more conservative in its views, and completely and ignorantly destroyed the lives of many innocent individuals who had nothing to do with any radical involvement. Many of the deported individuals were innocent laborers whom had been American citizens for a long time, ranged from 20 to 40 years old, and had families of their own (Panunzio 16). However, it is not in anybody’s right to say what is morally correct or impractically wrong, the only thing in mind is the peace that can never be restored to those families whose leading role figure were illegally and wrongfully taken away from them.
[1] Dunn, Robert W. The Palmer Raids. New York: International Publishers CO. INC., 1948.
[2] Panunzio, Constantine M. The Deportation Cases of 1919-1920. New York: Commission on the church and social Service, Federal council of the churches of Christ in America, 1921.
[3] Wolford, L. "USAT Buford (U.S. Army Transport)." Historical Section, U.S. Navy, 1926. 1926. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Accessed November 14, 2013. http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-us-cs/army-sh/usash-ag/buford.htm.