Communism

Communism is a social, economic, and political ideology. Under a true communist system, all people are to be equal politically, economically, and socially. The people are supposed to own everything communally, from businesses, to food, and beyond. No social classes are to exist under a true communist system, as all people receive the same quality and quantity of possessions as everyone else.

Historically, many Americans have feared communism. This fear skyrocketed during World War I. As this war was ending, a fear-driven movement known as the first Red Scare began to spread across the United States. In 1917, Russia had undergone the Bolshevik Revolution. As a result of this event, that country tried to establish a communist government and withdrew its troops from the war effort. Americans believed that Russia had let down its allies, including the United States, by pulling out of the war. In addition, communism was, in theory, an expansionist ideology, spread through revolution. Many Americans feared that the communists in Russia, known as the Soviet Union following the Bolshevik Revolution, hoped to spread their ideology all over the world.

Once the United States no longer had to concentrate its efforts on winning World War I, many Americans became afraid that communism might spread to the United States and threaten the nation