Palmer Raids

The Palmer Raids were a series of government actions in the United States during 1919 and early 1920, led by Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer. They aimed to capture and deport suspected radical leftists, particularly anarchists and communists, amid fears of a communist revolution following the Russian Revolution. The raids involved raids on homes, businesses, and organizations without proper warrants, resulting in many arrests and deportations. Critics argued that the raids violated civil liberties and were driven by paranoia, contributing to a broader atmosphere of fear and repression known as the Red Scare.