How much did the First and Second Red Scares actually harm left-wing politics in the US?

by Shady_Italian_Bruh

I've often seen it claimed that the Red Scares represent the US federal government repressing left-wing individuals and organizations. Is this is a fair and accurate depiction of what happened? And if so, was government action ever taken against right-wing politics to the same degree as the Red Scares?

misyo

Which particular Red Scares are you referring to? Red Scares (though they weren't always called that) and a crackdown on leftist political activities have gone back to the 1870's. I assume you're thinking of McCarthy, but I want to be sure.