7.8 Palmer Raids
- Rosie Jayde Uyola
- Feb 25
- 2 min read
Learning Objective I: Explain the causes and effects of developments in popular culture
in the United States over time.
Learning Target: I can evaluate and analyze different points of view on the 1920s Red
Scare.
Palmer Raids Document Analysis
Document A: Uncle Sam and the Bolshevik Rat Video (1919)
Describe the message of this video (4 - 5 sentences)
Document B: “The Case Against the "Reds" by A. Mitchell Palmer (1920)
Like a prairie-fire, the blaze of revolution was sweeping over every American institution a year ago. It was eating its way into the homes of the American workmen, its sharp tongues of revolutionary heat were licking the altars of the churches, leaping into schools, crawling into the sacred corners of American homes, burning up the foundations of society. My information showed that thousands of aliens supported communism in this country.
The whole purpose of communism appears to be a mass organization of the criminals of the world to overthrow the decencies of private life, to usurp property that they have not earned, to disrupt the present order of life. Communism distorts our social law. The Department of Justice will pursue the attack of these "Reds" upon the Government of the United States with vigilance, and no alien, advocating the overthrow of existing law and order in this country, shall escape arrest and prompt deportation.
According to Palmer, where has communism spread to? (2 - 3 sentences)
According to Palmer, what is communism doing to American society? (2 - 3 sentences)
Document C: Emma Goldman Deportation Statement (October 27, 1919)
I wish to register my protest against these proceedings, whose very spirit is nothing less than a revival of the ancient days of the Spanish Inquisition or Czarist Russia (when anyone who disagreed with the government was deported or killed). Today so-called aliens are deported. Tomorrow American citizens will be banished. Already some “patriots” are suggesting that some native-born American citizens should be exiled. The free expression of the hopes of a people is the greatest and only safety in a sane society. The object of the deportations and of the anti-anarchist law is to stifle the voice of the people, to muzzle every aspiration of labor. That is the real and terrible menace of these proceedings. Their goal is to exile and banish every one who does not agree with the lies that our leaders of industry continue to spread.
1. Is Emma Goldman for or against the Palmer Raids? How do you know? (4 -5 sentences)
Room that was raided during the Palmer Raids 
1. Write 3 adjectives to describe this room. 2. Write 3 adjectives to describe the tactics of the Palmer Raids. | 
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” The sign on the boat says, “249 Reds to Russia.”
1. Inference: What might be Uncle Sam’s motives in this cartoon? (3 sentences) |
 Shield says, “Free Speech.” Sign behind officer says, “Department of Justice.” |
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