Seattle general strike of 1919

The Seattle General Strike of February 6 to February 11, 1919, was the first general strike in a U.S. city. Dissatisfied workers in several unions began the strike to gain higher wages after two years of wage controls due to World War I. Many other local unions joined the walkout. Although the strike lasted less than a week, many Americans were very disturbed by the prospect of labor unions shutting down cities. Paranoia that the strike had been organized by foreign anarchists and communists helped lead to the Red Scare of 1919 and 1920.