The Red Scare of 1919 reflected fear of which ideology?

• A. Communism
• B. Anarchism
• C. Monarchy
• D. Socialism

Answer: (A)

The Red Scare of 1919 centers on the fear of communist ideology spreading into the United States, inspired by the Bolshevik victory in Russia in 1917. After World War I, Americans worried that revolutionary ideas could overturn the American system, especially as strikes and economic turmoil fueled suspicions about radicals. The color red became a symbol for communism, and the era saw government crackdowns on suspected communists and leftist groups, including deportations and raids.

Anarchists and socialist groups were also feared, but the strongest association of the Red Scare is with communism and the fear of a Bolshevik-style revolution taking root at home. Monarchy had no relevance to the domestic political climate in the United States during this period. Socialism relates to some of the same concerns, but the term “red” specifically points to communism.