Racial tension was one of the imminent issues after the First World War. The Red Summer of 1919 entails the various race riots that took place for approximately five months. The term Red Summer was coined by James Weldon, who was an author and civil rights activist. It is worth noting that the riots took place in several cities in the United States, but the most affected states were Washington, Chicago, as well as Elaine. This period marked tremendous changes for Blacks in the United States. Many people in the affected states died, and higher casualties were reported. The White community attacked the Blacks, which prompted the Black community to fight back. The great migration of Blacks from the South to the North during the First World War led to a growing racial tension. The Red Summer 1919 is attributed to several issues that begun after the First World War. Social tension in the United States played a crucial role during the war. During the summer of 1919, James Johnson organized peaceful protests that were streamlined against racial violence.
Notably, there are various factors that cause the Red Summer of 1919 in the United States. The labor shortage is one of the critical factors that is attributed to the race riot. The United States economy improved after the First World War. The African American filled the labor positions in the North. The expansion of industry led to a shortage of labor. The great migration of African-Americans from South to North filled the job shortage. The employment of African-Americans increased antipathy among the whites and first-generation Americans. The white workers felt threatened by the increasing number of African-Americans in the job sector. They associated the presence of Blacks in the workplace by competition.
The black Americans who served in the military were not rewarded for their services. The soldiers believed that President Wilson would fulfill his promise of granting soldiers full citizenship rights. The Blacks had the potential to exercise their rights and powers as employees in various industries. This was faced with several challenges. This is because the AFL (Americans Federation of Labor) refused to bring together Whites and Blacks in the unions. Also, the political leaders after the First World War failed to fulfill the promises given to Black soldiers, especially on citizenship rights.
The white Americans focused on restoring the pre-war status quo. This was resolved through riots and attacks on the Blacks. The Blacks felt that the promises could backlash. The race riots erupted in several states. Most of the Blacks were lynched, and many of them were killed on their Army uniforms. Despite the radicalization, there was severe division among the working class. The craft unions were blamed for the division in the employment sector.
The riots in the United States during this era was reported in Charleston. After that, violence and riots occurred in various small towns, which include Hobson City, Sylvester, Ga, as well as Syracuse, N.Y. Major riots took place in Washington. It was initiated when a black man was accused of rape. Whites began to attack Africa-Americans in the streets. African-Americans fought back because the law enforces failed to control the attacks on African-Americans. This was significant riots because the African-Americans responded aggressively. Chicago was also another state that experienced largest riots. It began when a Black man swam in a beach that was frequented by whites. The man was attacked and drowned. Violence erupted because the police failed to intervene. Businesses and property of African-Americans were destroyed. Thousands of African-Americans were rendered homeless by the violence. Notably, in most of the citizens that riots erupted the law enforcement agencies is believed to have framed many blacks of crimes that they did not commit.
The Red Summer of 1919 had tremendous impacts in the United States. The riots created much tension between the Whites and Blacks. Also, thousands of employees went on strike demanding a wage increase and recognition of industry unions. The riots during the period demonstrate that challenging American capitalism calls for anti-racists demands. The National Guard and the Unite States Army was called to calm the situation. The military was later accused of killing citizens during the riots. By the time the riots stopped, approximately 25 Blacks and 3 Whites were killed. It is alleged that many blacks were killed and dumped in the river. Also, the White establishment alleges that Blacks had a secret conspiracy to overthrow the White farmers, rate their women and take their land. The Department of Justice in the United States reported that communist groups were spreading race hatred. The groups urged the Blacks to demand equality rights with the White people.
In the general perspective, the Red Summer of 1919 was marked by many deaths and casualties. The riots were based on racism between the Blacks and Whites. Some of the crucial causes of the riots are the immigration, increase of Blacks in the workplace, as well as postwar social issues. The riots took place several cities, but the largest riots took place in Chicago and Washington, D.C.
Bibliography
Augustyn Jr., Frederick J. "Red Summer: The Summer of 1919 and the Awakening of Black America." Library Journal 136, no. 8 (May 2011): 92. Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed July 21, 2016).
Voogd, Jan. Race riots & resistance: the Red Summer of 1919. New York: Peter Lang, 2008.
