First Red Scare Experience

Shorecrest Upper School students in AP U.S. History recently learned about World War I, along with the First Red Scare (1917-1920). The First Red Scare was a time in American history immediately after WWI when there was an increased fear of communist ideology due to the Russian Revolution. This period would eventually set the stage for the Second Red Scare of the 1950s, led by Joseph McCarthy.

In their game, students were asked to draw slips of paper that said either "Communist" or "Not Communist". From there they had to ask their peers questions related to their jobs, thoughts on the American war effort, labor unions, etc. to determine who was potentially Communist. The winners of the game were either in the group with the most non-Communists or were Communists who successfully infiltrated the non-Communist groups. It was an engaging way for them to learn more about the time period and they had a lot of fun.