Race+Riots

In the 10 years directly leading up to WWI racial tensions were escalating and white mobs directed assaults towards African American communities. These assaults and attacks are now known as //race riots//. The term “race riots” is misleading and many African American Leaders disapproved the use of the term. Gunnar Myrdal opposed the use of the term “riot” to describe these attacks and preferred the use of the word “a terrorization or massacre”. Despite common belief, not all the racial violence was directed against African Americans; however, most of the time violence was targeted at them. The race riots were, surprisingly, not very prominent in the racist south but more prominent in the urban north. Many riots occurred in Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit, and Harlem. These riots can be attributed many reasons from rumors to labor disputes. · 1917: East St. Louis, Illinois · 1917: Chester, Pennsylvania · 1917: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · 1917: Houston Riot (1917) · Red Summer of 1919: - 1919: Washington, D.C. - 1919: Chicago, Illinois - 1919: Omaha, Nebraska - 1919: Charleston, South Carolina - 1919: Longview, Texas - 1919: Knoxville, Tennessee - 1919: Elaine, Arkansas · 1921: Tulsa, Oklahoma · 1923: Rosewood Massacre · 1935: Harlem Race Riot · 1943: Detroit Race Riot · 1943: Harlem Race Riot · 1943: Zoot Suit Riots, Los Angeles, California The East St. Louis Riot was an outbreak of labor and racially motivated violence against African Americans. The riots occurred during May and July of 1917, caused approximately 100 deaths, and extensive property damage. The riot is known as “the worst incidence of labor related violence in 20th century America” (Fitch, //Solidarity for Sale,// 2006, p. 120.).
 * A list of Riots from 1914-1945 **
 * East St. Louis, Illinois Riot **

Due to labor disputes and strikes racial tensions peaked. About three thousand white men gathered in downtown East St. Louis and began attacking African Americans. The mob attacked people, decimated buildings and threatened to overrun the city. The governor of Illinois called for National Guard troops to end the riot. The troops quelled the rioters for that day. On July 1st a black man was attacked by whites and he fired shots in retaliation. The whites retreated and came back with guns. A firefight broke out and the whites, again retreated. When the police approached the scene to investigate the black man fired and killed two officers. The next day, July 2nd, thousands of whites saw the blood stained police car and became very agitated. The whites, cut the fire department hoses and set entire sections of the city on fire. Afterward the death total was approximated to be around 100 African Americans.

Red Summer of 1919 ** The summer of 1919 is known for it being the most violent summer of the interwar era. The //Red Summer// describes the bloody race riots that occurred during the summer and early fall of 1919. In many instances Whites attacked African Americans. The riots occurred throughout the summer and in over more than two dozen cities. The cities of Chicago, Illinois; Washington, D.C.; and Elaine, Arkansas had the greatest number of deaths. The term “Red Summer” was coined by James Weldon Johnson. Johnson was an American author, politician, diplomat, critic, journalist, poet, anthologist, educator, lawyer, songwriter, and early civil rights activist. Johnson was also an employee of the NAACP.



The red summer was ignited by several reasons. With the draft and the mobilization of troops to Europe and the lack of immigration (from Europe) industrial cities of the North and Mid-West experienced severe labor shortages. Many northern factories hired southern blacks. This caused major migration to northern cities. African workers filled many newly created job positions and took the spot of many white workers. In many cities, African Americans were even hired as strikebreakers—in order to keep the company producing during a strike. These acts inflamed resentments whites held towards blacks and lead to suspicion of attacks on both sides. When the war ended and demobilization occurred a surplus of workers and inflation of goods lead to great competition. This rapid mobilization, migration, and demobilization lead to increased tensions which lead to the many violent riots during the time period.
 * List of all riots **
 * **Date** || **Place** ||  ||
 * **May 10** || ** Charleston, South Carolina ** ||
 * **May 10** || ** Sylvester, Georgia ** ||
 * **May 29** || ** Putnam County, Georgia ** ||
 * **May 31** || ** Monticello, Mississippi ** ||
 * **June 13** || ** New London, Connecticut ** ||
 * **June 13** || ** Memphis, Tennessee ** ||
 * **June 27** || ** Annapolis, Maryland ** ||
 * **June 27** || ** Macon, Mississippi ** ||
 * **July 3** || ** Bisbee, Arizona ** ||
 * **July 5** || ** Scranton, Pennsylvania ** ||
 * **July 6** || ** Dublin, Georgia ** ||
 * **July 7** || ** Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ** ||
 * **July 8** || ** Coatesville, Pennsylvania ** ||
 * **July 9** || ** Tuscaloosa, Alabama ** ||
 * **July 10** || ** Longview, Texas ** ||
 * **July 11** || ** Baltimore, Maryland ** ||
 * **July 15** || ** Port Arthur, Texas ** ||  ||   ||   ||   ||
 * **July 19** || ** Washington, D.C. ** ||
 * **July 21** || ** Norfolk, Virginia ** ||
 * **July 23** || ** New Orleans, Louisiana ** ||
 * **July 23** || ** Darby, Pennsylvania ** ||
 * **July 26** || ** Hobson City, Alabama ** ||
 * **July 27** || ** Chicago, Illinois ** ||
 * **July 28** || ** Newberry, South Carolina ** ||
 * **July 31** || ** Bloomington, Illinois ** ||
 * **July 31** || ** Syracuse, New York ** ||
 * **July 31** || ** Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ** ||
 * **August 4** || ** Hattiesburg, Mississippi ** ||
 * **August 6** || ** Texarkana, Texas ** ||
 * **August 21** || ** New York City, New York ** ||
 * **August 29** || ** Ocmulgee, Georgia ** ||
 * **August 30** || ** Knoxville, Tennessee ** ||
 * **September 28** || ** Omaha, Nebraska ** ||
 * **October 1** || ** Elaine, Arkansas ** ||  ||
 * ** Source: www.wikipedia.org ** ||

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