anarchists’ beliefs, attempting to supress the terrorist threat. 32 Dan Colson notes that every attack that was orchestrated by the anarchists led to the US government strengthening their immigration laws, which he believes set the foundation for the Immigration Acts of 1917 and 1918. 33 However, this in turn led to mistreatment of immigrants, commonly amongst those who were European. Chris Vials illustrates that the association of anarchy with European immigrants had been long established. 34 Jeffrey Simon explains there was ‘widespread disappointment’ amongst Italian immigrants, due to low wages, long working hours amongst those able to find jobs, discrimination and poor quality of life. 35 It is unsurprising that Italian immigrants were receptive to radicalisation and joined groups like the Galleanists that promoted anti-government propaganda. Simon reveals that Luigi Galleani became the ‘lightening rod’ for Italian anarchists who were the ‘most militant’ of the foreign radicals. 36 Davide Turcato reflects this, noting how the rise of anarchism was linked to influx of Italian immigration to the United States. 37 As well as passing legislation through congress, resentment towards immigrants was expressed through vigilante actions that political leaders and law enforcement turned a blind eye to. The Lutz’s reveal that many within power ‘directly or tactically sided’ with those attacking foreign communities or labour groups, showcasing the level of resentment towards immigrants during this period. 38 The Lutz’s argue that it is ‘not surprising’ that radicals like the anarchists had success in preaching their message to these communities and obtaining sympathy and support. 39 The mistrust that America had for the immigrant communities only increased under the Red Scare. The Lutz’s illustrate that the ‘fear of foreign ideas and influences’ that had arisen during the war helped ‘set the stage’ for the Red Scare which occurred between 1919 to 1920. 40 This fear was born out of the belief that the United States was influenced by radical ideas from foreign countries. This fear was heightened due to German and anarchist attacks both during and after the war. One notable target of the Galleanists bombing attacks of 1918 and 1919 was Attorney General Palmer, who became increasingly paranoid about the terrorist attacks he had been targeted in. 41 The Lutz’s note how America shared Palmer’s fear and resentment towards immigrants, explaining that the general 32 Jensen (2001), p. 20. 33 Dan Colson, ‘Erasing Anarchism: Sacco and Vanzetti and the Logic of Representation’, American Quarterly , 66.4 (2014), 943-969 (p. 946). 34 Vials, p. 3. 35 Simon, p. 211. 36 Simon, p. 196. 37 Davide Turcato, ‘Italian Anarchism as a Transnational Movement, 1885-1915’, International Review of Social History , 52.3 (2007), 407-444 (p. 417).
38 Lutz and Lutz, p. 76. 39 Lutz and Lutz, p. 76. 40 Lutz and Lutz, p. 79. 41 Simon, p. 203-204.
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