The Red Scare and post-WWI period were rife with issues of unjust jurisprudence and
prejudice. This case stretched out over 7 years and ended with the execution of Sacco
and Vanzetti. If anything the case showed that the clampdown on civil liberties of the
wartime hysteria stretched well into the social and political conservatism of the 1920s.
Watch this clip and answer the questions below. For more information read the first
section of Ch 20: From Business Culture to Great Depression.
1. What was the political environment like at the time of their arrest in
1920-1921? Would it have been likely for them to get a fair trial given the
atmosphere?
2. Italian immigrants were one of the largest groups coming into the northeast in
this period. Does this percentage of immigration have something to do with
the reaction and trial of these men or it is solely their political views? Explain.
3. Are their other cases in US history that bare any resemblance to this case?
Please name one and describe what the case was and how it relates to this
case in the video. Be SPECIFIC.
https://www.pbs.org/video/italian-americans-sacco-and-vanzetti/
Sufficient =300 words, substantive and addresses the prompt
