Final answer:
Americans and others were drawn to communism during the Great Depression and civil rights era because it promised economic and racial equality in stark contrast to the inequalities and inefficacies of capitalist democracies at the time. The success of Stalin's economic plans and the Communist Party's advocacy for an egalitarian society added to communism's allure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Many Americans found the idea of communism appealing during the Great Depression and early civil rights era for several reasons. The Great Depression caused massive economic hardship with high unemployment and a stark disparity between the wealthy and the poor. In contrast, communism offered an alternative, promising economic equality and full employment, as seen in the Soviet Union under Stalin's economic plans.
Moreover, communism's message of racial parity resonated with African Americans facing segregation and discrimination, as it offered an egalitarian society free of racial injustice.
In Western Europe and the United States, ineffective governmental responses to economic crisis led to a questioning of capitalism and liberal democracy. As a result, communism, with its advocacy for the end of private property and capitalism, became attractive.
The Communist Party in the US particularly addressed not just socioeconomic but also racial inequalities, aligning themselves with progressive movements. Additionally, the idea of a classless society, where everyone was equal regardless of race or gender, as promoted by Soviet propaganda, had a strong international appeal. This was exacerbated by the fear that economic instability would lead to the spread of communism post-World War II, prompting actions like the US providing economic aid to prevent its spread.