The Crucible project...
2007-09-26 04:22:08 · 6 answers · asked by Spencer C 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Congress passed the Smith Act in 1940, which made membership in any organization advocating the violent overthrow of the government of the United States illegal and required all foreign nationals to register with the federal government. The Act was aimed not only at Communists, but also at members of the German-American Bund and the general Japanese-American population. This is the closest we ever got, I believe.
2007-09-26 04:50:43 · answer #1 · answered by jurydoc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There have been instances where anti-sedition laws were crafted to attack communists and other "subversive" groups. The strengthening of the union movement in the early 20th century is a great example of when these laws were originally passed. About the time of the Great War and the following 15 years were especially hard for American communists. Search for John Reed and others of that time.
2007-09-26 11:29:15 · answer #2 · answered by danbibbins@sbcglobal.net 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am also during a crucible project as well. But, it is not illegal to be a communist in the USA. But, back a couple of years ago during the McCarthyism era it was an issue because we were against communist and people were scared that there was spys and people trying to "destroy" our country. Google McCarthyism or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCarthyism
2007-09-26 11:31:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it was never expressly illegal to be a communist. There were no laws that stated one could not be communist. The taboo around being a communist during that time was de facto, opposed to de jure.
2007-09-26 12:05:27 · answer #4 · answered by phocbush 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, in fact there is an American communist party. The party only has like, 13 members though....
2007-09-26 11:29:06 · answer #5 · answered by Pfo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. The Democrat party has been around for a long time.
2007-09-26 11:26:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋