Objective/Context:

This article analyzes a historical period-the first years after the end of the First World War-that was deeply marked by the way in which different actors in American society reacted to the propaganda activities of radical movements. Specifically, it looks at how the battle against radicalism was fought in Washington D.C. and New York.

Methodology:

The article follows the traditional historiographic method of analysis and contextualization of primary sources. Archival documentation has been collected at the New York State Archives and the National Archives and Records Administration, while newspaper material was consulted in the United States Library of Congress.

Originality:

When academic literature addresses the issue of radical propaganda during the first years of the interwar period, the main objective is usually to study the repression campaigns organized by legislators and the Department of Justice. This research focuses on the interaction between political leaders and other actors in American society at the time: officials, journalists, ordinary citizens, among others.

Conclusions:

The anxiety generated in certain sectors of the population by the dissemination of radical propaganda was constantly stimulated by politicians in search of visibility. Thus, citizen restlessness turned into a feeling of blind anger towards those who spread the doctrines of radical movements. There existed a climate of strong enthusiasm around these repression campaigns as well. The sudden extinction of this phenomenon was due to the fact that these inquisitorial campaigns were ultimately perceived by many citizens as “anti-American” initiatives.

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