American Anticommunism and the Cold War Essay - 2217 Words

American anticommunism stems from a history of fear, and want of control over individuals, and groups of people who are defined as â€Å"others†. In this case â€Å"others†, is a term attributed to American citizens who were a part of, or held any relation or affiliation with the American Communist Party. Before them, it was immigrants; and before them it was African Americans, and Native Americans (Schrecker, 13). This fear and want of control over the American Communist Party, which immediately started after WWI in America, during the Red Scare of 1919-20; was used by the Republican and Democratic Parties, and their constituents, to gain and hold support in the United States government, and to attempt to shape American domestic and foreign policy†¦show more content†¦This seemingly harmless action, and the bombings around the country in connection with the Red Scare, led to the start of blaming the American Communist Party for domestic disturbances to the sta tus quo. The fact that Communist Party members were heads and members of labor unions, allowed Big Business owners and special interest groups to direct blame for radical actions such as work strikes or demands for wage compensation on to the Communists, allowing them to ignore, or dismiss any grievance brought against them; while at the same time tarnishing the image and reputation of the Communist Party (Schrecker, 14). In addition, the exaggeration of radicalism at the time allowed organizations like the FBI and law enforcement to expand and improve their image among the general public, which eventually led to J. Edgar Hoover being one of the figureheads of anticommunism (Schrecker, 15). By the 1930’s, the anticommunist network had expanded, and begun to strengthen. The struggles brought on by the Great Depression and the political partisanship from the creation of the New Deal; Communist Party involvement in unions became a political issue. Instead of Liberals and Conservatives blaming each other for the country’s woes, they could instead turn their blame on to the Communists, just like the businesses. The opposition to the New Deal and the American Communist Party’s adaptation of Stalin’s â€Å"Popular Front†Show MoreRelatedAmerican Anticommunism During the Cold War Essay926 Words   |  4 Pagesto the conclusion of the treacherous Second World War, America prepared itself for a period of peace. This peacetime was short-lived, as America’s tolerance for communism receded this issue became the forefront for American concern. The United States of America, also referred to as the USA or US, regarded communism as a strategic threat due to its hostility to private property and free markets, policies that many Americans associate directly to political freedom. Read Moredoc 11148 Words   |  5 Pages The Cold War Era was a time in history where there was hostility between many different countries. 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