Question

What role did a fear of foreigners play in the accusations of murder?

Answer 1

Sacco and Vanzetti were both italian immigrants and avowed anarchists who advocated the violent overthrow of capitalism

Answer 2

Answer:

The fear of foreigners increased the stereotypes and created an urgency to resolve the case as fast as possible, only considering the ethnic background of the accused, and supporting the idea that because of this cultural and political background inherited from their country, they were automatically guilted.

Explanation:

The Sacco and Vanzetti prosecution and the outcomes of this trial are considered one of the most controversial in America History. Because of the fear of the anarchism which became strong and popular in Europe in the 1920s, many Americans began to fear foreigners, especially the ones from Italy, Germany, and Eastern Europe (Russia). Not only the anarchism but the communism which was spreading across Europe fastly with the victory of the Bolsheviks in Russia. Sacco and Vanzetti were Italians, and one way or another, they were aligned with these political views, especially the anarchism, but during their trial, the cultural and ethnical background was more considered, falling on stereotypes and preconceptions ideas.