-
Period: to
Palmer raids
The Palmer Raids were a series of raids conducted in November 1919 and January 1920 by the United States Department of Justice under the administration of President Woodrow Wilson to capture and arrest suspected socialists, especially anarchists and communists, and deport them from the United States. -
December 1919
Additional raids occurred, focusing on suspected radical organizations and individuals. Thousands were arrested without proper warrants or due process -
November 7,1919
The first significant raid took place on the second anniversary of the Russian Revolution. Federal agents, led by Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer and J. Edgar Hoover, targeted the Union of Russian Workers in 12 cities, resulting in the arrest of over 200 individuals. -
January 1920
The most extensive raids happened on this date, often referred to as the "New Year's Raids." Over 3,000 people were detained across more than 30 cities. Many were held without charges and denied legal representation. -
January 1920
The public and legal backlash began to grow as reports of civil rights violations emerged. Critics argued that the raids were unconstitutional and targeted immigrants unfairly. -
May 1920
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was founded, partly in response to the Palmer Raids, to protect civil liberties and advocate for those affected by the raids. -
June 1920
The Department of Labor began to review the legality of the detentions and ordered the release of many detainees, acknowledging the lack of evidence and due process. -
Mid 1920s
The raids and Palmer's actions faced increasing criticism from the public, legal experts, and politicians. Palmer's credibility diminished, and his hopes of running for president were dashed -
1921
The Palmer Raids effectively ended, and the focus shifted to addressing the legal and civil rights issues that had arisen from the raids. The Supreme Court later reinforced the importance of due process and constitutional rights. The Palmer Raids were a significant event in U.S. history, highlighting the tension between national security and civil liberties during periods of perceived threat.