Question

At no time was it illegal for a United States citizen to be a member of the Communist party. Before World War II, many American liberals espoused communist beliefs because they seemed an honorable alternative to the fascism that was sweeping Europe in the late 1930s. During this decade of the Great Depression, the United States was perhaps as close to a socialist state as it has ever been; the Roosevelt administration aided poor people to an unprecedented degree, sponsoring numerous public works projects and creating a welfare system. Communism, as the opposite of fascism, flourished in this atmosphere. With the collapse of European fascism and the rise of Soviet Russia after World War II, Westerners began to turn against communism. Many believed it was simply fascism under another name–a system that began with high principles and ended in oppression and slavery.

Answer 1

During the 1930s, some American liberals embraced communism as an alternative to fascism, but being a member of the Communist Party was never illegal for U.S. citizens. The Roosevelt administration implemented socialist policies in response to the Great Depression, which fostered an environment where communism flourished. However, with the rise of the Soviet Union and concerns about oppression, Westerners began to reject communism.

Step-by-step explanation:

During the 1930s, the Great Depression led some American liberals to embrace communist beliefs as an alternative to fascism. However, it was never illegal for a U.S. citizen to be a member of the Communist Party. The Roosevelt administration implemented a number of socialist policies to combat the economic crisis, which created an atmosphere where communism thrived. After World War II, Westerners turned against communism due to the rise of the Soviet Union and concerns about oppression and slavery.