ch. 20 sct.1 C.T.#3

Americans were justified in FEARING radicals and foreigners after WW1, but I don't think their REACTIONS to that fear were justified. Americans had reason to fear the radicals and foreigners: the challenges Americans were facing (they were harsh and made them more vulnerable, ect.) and the goals of the Russian Revolution, which were very threatening to American society, and the drastic measures many Communists took.
Americans faced many challenges after WW1. Their economy was all messed up because soldiers were just returning and either out of work or taking their jobs back, putting women and minorities out of work. The cost of living had doubled, and businesses were suffering as wartime orders diminished. (p.618). People were struggling enough without a huge change in their economic system (communism). If radicals and foreigners got a hold and led to changing the American system of capitalism, there would be huge affects on everybody.
The goal of the Russian Revolution (Lenin and his followers) was to spread a worldwide revolution that would abolish capitalism everywhere. According to the communist system, the government would be ruled by a dictatorship and own all private property and businesses. (p.619). Most Americans would probably fear this type of government, because they would not want to give up ownership of all their property. Because the Communist leaders and followers had such revolutionary goals that would change the American way so much, and they pursued these goals with such a passion, the Americans had reason to fear them and the change they represented.
Many radicals took some drastic measures to try to bring down the government and bring about the change they wanted. Several dozen bombs were mailed to government and business leaders, and after that the American public became fearful that the Communists were taking over (p.619). I think bombs being sent to people is a good enough reason for Americans to fear people such as radicals and foreigners, who even just MIGHT be associated with that group.