The Influence Of The Red Scare

The Red Scare changed the American view on immigration and foreign policy in America after the Russian Revolution of 1917. The Red Scare was the fear of communism in America which persuaded the immigrant radicals of the Russian Revolution to support communism and a political change. Since there was no response to the growth of fear from anarchism and communism in America, Congress added anti-radical protections to the Immigration Act of 1918 (“Red Scare”). Also, General Palmer and other government officials’ homes were attacked infuriating the American government (Gordon). An addition to the Immigration Act would strictly enforce the radicals to discard their views towards communism and focus on support the democracy and capitalism in America.

The government officials then would use their power to implement the change and control the radicals from acting out, since the consequences were either an imprisonment without bail or deportation. Plus, these government officials might agree to amend America’s foreign policy harshly making sure that capitalism would prevail in America. Therefore, immigration would be modified to prevent radicals from disrupting America’s political views or entering America, thus becoming stricter after the Red Scare and a change in foreign policy.
Prohibition was a unsuccessful method of trying to prevent accidents and rowdiness due to alcohol.

Many people went out of their way just to grab a taste of liquor and were initially caught, but many clever people thought of ways to avoid the law and brought alcohol into the states. In Chicago, an armed robbery took place and the gangsters stole two boxcars worth of alcohol either for sale or consumption. Plus, bootlegging, which is an illegal method of transporting alcohol, was the case of George Remus, an attorney and Bill McCoy, a captain both trying to make a quick buck (Coffey). In addition, police in New York City dumped barrels of liquor that they confiscated from the public down into the sewers, and was known as the Liquor Raid (“Liquor Raid”). An armed robbery that took place evidently shows how much the people back then yearned for opportunities to drink through any means and how certain people were able to make fortunes by going against the law. The law enforcement must have been put to test after attempting to shut down so many speakeasies, which were clubs that sold liquor illegally. However, the law enforcement was overwhelmed by the amount of people that were present at these speakeasies and were not able to put up with such behavior. Overall, Prohibition was a failure that gave people more of a motive to get their hands on liquor once it is taken away from them. Thus, the 21st Amendment was created repealing Prohibition, since the citizens of America loved

alcohol.
The American economy after WW1 was surprisingly well after WW1 since business in America prospered. Many war veterans returned home looking for work, and the increase in business greatly aided their search. New markets were opened, as well new technology was accessible and better management all helped increase the productivity in America. Plus, the increase in automobile productions from companies like Ford, General Motors and Chrysler were key to opening up the automobile business. In 1929, the Gross National Product of America rose by nearly $20 billion from 1923, leading to a total increase in income, savings and stock holdings (Faue). An increase in the amount of money that the people had either to save or spend would not have been predicted after a devastating war. But, the circulation of money increased between hands and people were much better off with their given financial conditions. Essentially, after WW1, barely anyone would say that America was involved in the war, due to the rise of business. The power of business ultimately lead to the blossom of the US economy as the people were working to earn a profit and the government was able to collect taxes towards the war debt.
Another reason why the economy of the US was prospering was the increase in household needs after the rapid success of automobile sales.

The automobile industry was the reason behind the mass production of materials needed to construct a vehicle and new roads, by using the assembly line method brought about by Henry Ford. After seeing how successful the automobile industry was doing, it lead to an increase in motor related occupations like insurance, agents, and gas stations. Then, as the concept of sub-urbanizing occurred to many, the development of schools, commercial constructions, hospitals and other attractions grew enormously (Faue). As the automobile sales prompted many new industries for the need of common goods, the life of an American was changing quickly and even more jobs opened up. This domino effect that arose from automobiles was innovating America and brought more choices to the common person since he or she is opened to such vast markets. Ultimately, the automobile started a chain reaction that resulted in numerous new companies opening for business, which fueled the US economy. Ergo, the concept of consumerism grew where people decided what they want to buy, and that economic shift is what lead to the bloom of the US economy in the

1920’s.