Final answer:
The Palmer Raids were a series of raids aimed at curbing the spread of radical ideologies in the post-WWI United States. Fear of radicals, exacerbated by the Red Scare and the growth of nativism, led to widespread civil liberty abuses. J. Edgar Hoover played a key role in these events that resulted in thousands of arrests and the deportation of hundreds, causing a shift in public opinion against the raids.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Palmer Raids
The Palmer Raids were a series of aggressive enforcement actions taken in the United States after World War I, targeting labor organizers, leftists, and political dissidents. Under the direction of US attorney general A. Mitchell Palmer, these raids were deemed necessary to combat the spread of radical ideologies and protect the nation from potential uprisings. The climate of fear during this period, known as the Red Scare, was exacerbated by several factors including the growth of nativism, a series of mail bombs sent to key figures, and a general suspicion of immigrants, particularly those of Russian descent.
Assistant Attorney General J. Edgar Hoover implemented controversial surveillance tactics and led a nationwide strike against radical organizations. Private citizens and military veterans also participated in attacking alleged radicals. These actions resulted in the arrests and detainment of thousands, with many held in overcrowded conditions for extended periods without charge. Almost 250 individuals were deported on a ship infamously referred to as "the Soviet Ark." The resulting abuses of civil liberties were so severe that they led to the formation of the American Civil Liberties Union in 1920.
Initially, Palmer's actions were supported by the public and Congress, but as time passed without any real evidence of a revolutionary plot, skepticism grew regarding the legitimacy of the threat. Palmer's claims, such as the one regarding an imminent May Day revolution in 1919, which never materialized, further damaged public confidence and ultimately discredited him, effectively ending his political career.