The Socialist Program with Brian Becker From the Palmer Raids to COINTELPRO: The War Against American Socialism and Communism
Dec 26, 2025
Aaron Leonard, historian and author of "Menace of Our Time," dives deep into the U.S. history of anti-communist repression. He reveals how early events like the 1919 Palmer Raids set a precedent for decades of state-sanctioned violence against leftist groups. Leonard discusses pivotal moments such as the Smith Act prosecutions and the chilling effects on dissenting voices, highlighting the echoes of past repression in today's political climate. Tune in to explore how history informs our understanding of modern socialism and anti-communism.
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Anti-Communism Is A Long Continuum
- Aaron J. Leonard argues the McCarthy era wasn't an anomaly but part of a long-running U.S. campaign against communism.
- Repression began during the First Red Scare after World War I and continued in waves through the 20th century.
The 'Soviet Ark' Deportations
- Aaron recounts the 1919 Palmer Raids and mass deportations aboard the so-called "Soviet Ark."
- Authorities rounded up anarchists, communists, and immigrant fraternal groups and deported about 400 people.
Advocacy Was Criminalized Historically
- Benjamin Gitlow's case shows states criminalized advocacy of revolution under criminal anarchy laws.
- The Supreme Court upheld preemptive suppression: extinguish the spark before it blazes into flame.