What were the Palmer Raids primarily directed against?

The Palmer Raids were primarily directed against radicals believed to be communists, reflecting the intense fear and suspicion of radical leftist movements in the United States during the early 20th century, particularly after World War I. This period, known as the Red Scare, was marked by a widespread belief that communist ideologies were infiltrating American society, partly fueled by the Russian Revolution of 1917.

Under the leadership of U.S. Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer, the raids targeted individuals and organizations thought to be associated with anarchism and communism, resulting in thousands of arrests and deportations. Many of those targeted were leftist activists, labor leaders, and immigrants, but the overarching goal was to eliminate the perceived threat from radical elements that could disrupt the social order.

Contextually, while there may have been sentiments against other groups mentioned in the options, such as African American activists or socialist party members, the primary focus of the Palmer Raids was on those explicitly linked to radical leftist ideologies, particularly those thought to be communists.