The Red Scare in 1920s America
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain what the Red Scare was and its impact on Americans.
Key learning points
- There was an increase in anti-immigrant feeling in the 1920s.
- Some Americans were frightened of a communist revolution.
- Strikes in 1919 led to fear of a revolution.
- The Palmer Raids targeted suspected communists and anarchists.
- Trade unionism declined significantly after the Red Scare.
Keywords
Paranoid - somebody may be described as paranoid if they are unreasonably or excessively scared of something
Communist - a communist is a person who believes in sharing wealth equally
Anarchist - an anarchist is a person who believes that countries should not be ruled by organised governments
Deported - if a foreign person is legally forced to leave a country they have been deported
Common misconception
There were well-developed plans for anarchists and communists to stage a revolution in the USA.
Although the fear of 'Reds' was widespread, the failure of the Palmer Raids revealed that there were no real plans in place for a revolution which could threaten the USA.
Teacher tip
Study the full speech of Seattle Mayor Ole Hanson delivered after the end of the 1919 Seattle General Strike. Ask pupils why Hanson believed strikes were a danger. Then ask pupils how this speech could have contributed to the decline of trade union activity in the USA after 1919.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word is most appropriate to describe a person who is excessively and unreasonably scared of something?
Q2.Why were the 1920s often called 'boom years' in the USA?
Q3.Write the missing word. Most immigrants arriving in the USA by 1919 came from eastern and Europe.
Q4.Write the missing word. Because many immigrants have historically moved to the USA, it has often been called the land of .
Q5.Starting with the earliest step, arrange the following developments to explain how car manufacturing developed in the USA during the 1920s economy.
Q6.Which statement about the US government in the 1920s is most accurate?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each of the keywords with their correct definition.
person who does not believe organised governments should run countries
person who believes in sharing wealth equally
period of time when workers refuse to work
Q2.Which country experienced a communist revolution in 1917?
Q3.Write the missing word. The Raids in 1919 and 1920 led to the arrest of 6000 suspected communists and anarchists.
Q4.During the trial of Niccola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti in 1921, who described them as 'our enemy' and used racist terms against them?
Q5.Why did trade union membership decline after 1920?
Q6.The Palmer Raids uncovered four guns and no explosives. Based on this, which conclusion is most valid?
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The Red Scare in 1920s America, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The Red Scare in 1920s America, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the America 1920–1973, Opportunity and inequality unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.