What happened in the Red Summer of 1919?

1 Answer
Apr 18, 2017

There were race riots all over America between May and October in about thirty cities, the bloodiest were in Elaine(Arkansas), Washington D.C and Chicago

Explanation:

Several factors came into play precipitating the riots.

  • Labor Shortages: Industrial cities in the North and Midwest profited greatly from World War I. Yet, the factories also encountered serious labor shortages because white men were enlisting in World War I and the United States government halted immigration from Europe.

    The Great Migration: To fulfill these job shortages, at least 500,000 African-Americans moved from the South to Northern and Midwestern cities. African-Americans were also leaving the South to escape Jim Crow laws, segregated schools, and lack of job opportunities.

    Racial Strife: Working class white workers in Northern and Midwestern cities resented the presence of African-Americans, who were now competition for employment.

Source:https://www.thoughtco.com/red-summer-of-1919-45394