What agency was created in response to fears of Communist activity following WWI?

The General Intelligence Division was created as part of the Department of Justice in 1919. It's significant because it was established specifically in response to the Red Scare, a period characterized by widespread fear of Communist influence and activities in the United States after World War I. The division was initially tasked with investigating, suppressing, and monitoring radical political movements, especially those deemed subversive, such as Communism and Anarchism.

The context of this agency's founding is crucial. In the aftermath of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, many Americans were concerned about the potential for similar uprisings at home, leading to heightened suspicions about immigrant populations and domestic leftist organizations. The General Intelligence Division conducted raids, known as the Palmer Raids, to capture and deport individuals believed to be involved in such activities, reflecting the intense paranoia surrounding the perceived threat of Communism during this era.

In contrast, the Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency were established much later, during the Cold War era, in response to more complex international security concerns. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, while involved in national security, evolved from its initial focus on crimes and became more prominent in domestic intelligence activities after the establishment of the General Intelligence Division.