Effect of Red Scare on Labor Union Membership
~Adrienne, Caitlin, Jessica, & Lauren~
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During the early 1920's America suffered a bout of fear towards Communism. This affected many different people including labor union members. This fear greatly affected the nation as a whole in many different ways. Labor unions were targeted during this era and labeled as radical Communists. They suffered a great amount of discrimination.
Organized Labor & the Red Scare:
Communism greatly affected labor unions during the Red Scare. It was assumed that all labor unions were full of Communists. Many of these suspected Communist labor unions contained no Communists at all. This provides information of the fear that the Red Scare brought to labor unions.
The Rough Road to Normalcy, 1919-1920:
During the Red Scare, labor union attendance peaked. Then, between 1920 and 1923, labor unions suffered a tremendous loss of members as one and a half million members no longer participated in organized labor unions. This page provides information on labor unions between 1919 and 1923. This selection is rather extensive and the majority of information on labor unions can be found in the section “The Red Scare of 1919-1920.” (This is part of a password protected database that most schools have access to. Ask your media specialist for assistance.)
Postwar Labor Distress in the 1910s, 1919:
Labor union membership exceeded five million in 1920. In 1919, many strikes took place and labor unions constantly lost to the large businesses. This page provides information on labor unions in 1919 and 1920. (This is part of a password protected database that most schools have access to. Ask your media specialist for assistance.)
Strike! Labor unites for rights:
Many Labor Unions during this time period went on strikes. Labor unions were questioned about their radical or Communist actions. Labor unions were thought of as being Communist during this era. This source provides a great amount of information on what the labor unions went through during this time era.
Communism in Washington State:
During the 1920's America felt an enormous prejudice and feelings of nationalism, which came to be known as the first Red Scare. Many labor unions during the 1920's felt that Communism was wrong and shameful and often showed their anger by striking. As the labor unions found many people guilty of supporting Communism, immigrants were sent back to their native lands. The following quote is an exert from the web site which discusses the ways labor unions fought Communism. “During the Red Scare that lasted from 1919 and 1921, local, state and federal agents detained hundreds of Communists for advocating violent revolution and many were deported” (wash.edu 1). [Chapter 1 of this site has most of the above information, but other resources can be found on this parent source].
Labor Unions in the United States:
In the 1920s labor unions were unfairly prosecuted as being Communists. Employers fought against labor unions, and tried to keep unions out of their business. This site has a lot of information on labor unions and this specific information is found in the section entitled “ Injunctions and Welfare Capitalism.”
This selection includes information that does not only include information on labor unions during the Red Scare, but the section “ Derecruitment” has the majority of the information. This page provides information on labor unions and their relationship with the secret police up until the reforms of the New Deal.
Nevada 's Red Scare: Labor and the Industrial Workers of the World:
This specific chapter on the web site about the red scare in Nevada focuses on the labor union IWW (International Workers of the World). It talks about how people that lived in Nevada feared the IWW, and thought of them as Communists. This site gives good information that shows how the red scare affected small areas in the US as well.
In this discussion of the 1920's, the article describes how Americans defended and supported the Red Scare. Many of the American citizens said that the Red Scare was caused by the downfall of many organizations, such as the League of Nations . Also, disputes thought to end with different outcomes, like the turnout of World War I, were thought by many to have ended differently. These new-felt feelings of prejudice resulted in numerous labor strikes and clashes between racial groups in America and fueled the continuation of the Red Scare.
Labor union membership during the 1920s began to decrease. Also, labor unions began to have conflicts with employees. This site is organized in an outline format and has information in a clear and easy to read format.
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Last updated March 22, 2006
© Marcella Ruland 1998-2008, All rights reserved
