The Red Scare, both in its first (1917–1920) and second (late 1940s–1950s) waves, was primarily driven by fears of communism, anarchism, and leftist ideologies. However, it intersected heavily with racism and xenophobia, especially during the First Red Scare.

Here's how racism and xenophobia were embedded in the Red Scare:

 First Red Scare (1917–1920)

Rooted in Xenophobia and Racism:

Immigrants from Eastern and Southern Europe—especially Jews, Italians, and Slavs—were often blamed for spreading radical leftist ideas like socialism and anarchism.

The Palmer Raids (1919–1920) targeted immigrants, many of whom were detained and deported without evidence of criminal activity.

The government and media conflated race and foreignness with radicalism, reinforcing the idea that being non-white or non-Anglo-Saxon made one suspect.

Black activists, especially those associated with groups like the Garvey movement or labor organizing, were targeted under suspicion of radicalism, reflecting how racial justice activism was seen as subversive.

 Second Red Scare (late 1940s–1950s)

Race and Anti-Communism:

Though more focused on Hollywood, government, and unions, racism still played a role:

Civil rights leaders, such as Paul Robeson and W.E.B. Du Bois, were harassed and blacklisted for alleged communist sympathies.

The NAACP and other Black organizations were accused of being communist fronts, a tactic used to delegitimize the civil rights movement.

McCarthyism disproportionately affected racial minorities and immigrants, particularly those advocating for equality.

Summary:

While not solely "rooted" in racism, the Red Scare was deeply entangled with racial and xenophobic prejudice. Anti-communist sentiment often served as a pretext to suppress marginalized groups, especially immigrants, Black activists, and left-leaning minorities.

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