The Red Scare in 1920s America
I can explain what the Red Scare was and its impact on Americans.
The Red Scare in 1920s America
I can explain what the Red Scare was and its impact on Americans.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- There was an increase in anti-immigrant feeling in the 1920s.
- Some Americans were frightened of a communist revolution.
- Strikes in 1919 led to fear of a revolution.
- The Palmer Raids targeted suspected communists and anarchists.
- Trade unionism declined significantly after the Red Scare.
Keywords
Paranoid - somebody may be described as paranoid if they are unreasonably or excessively scared of something
Communist - a communist is a person who believes in sharing wealth equally
Anarchist - an anarchist is a person who believes that countries should not be ruled by organised governments
Deported - if a foreign person is legally forced to leave a country they have been deported
Common misconception
There were well-developed plans for anarchists and communists to stage a revolution in the USA.
Although the fear of 'Reds' was widespread, the failure of the Palmer Raids revealed that there were no real plans in place for a revolution which could threaten the USA.
To help you plan your year 11 history lesson on: The Red Scare in 1920s America, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 history lesson on: The Red Scare in 1920s America, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the USA boom years: how did the 'boom' affect the American people? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
person who does not believe organised governments should run countries
person who believes in sharing wealth equally
period of time when workers refuse to work