East St. Louis riot of 1917

East St. Louis riot of 1917. The East St. Louis riot of 1917 was a major racial conflict that occurred in East St. Louis, Illinois, involving African Americans, White Americans, and Labor unions. This event was one of the worst race riots in United States history, with estimates suggesting that up to 200 African Americans were killed, and thousands more were displaced. The riot was sparked by a combination of factors, including World War I, Great Migration, and Racial segregation in cities like St. Louis, Missouri, Chicago, Illinois, and Detroit, Michigan.

Background

The East St. Louis riot of 1917 was preceded by a series of events, including the Great Migration of African Americans from the Southern United States to the Northern United States, which led to increased competition for jobs and housing in cities like East St. Louis, Illinois, St. Louis, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. The African American population in East St. Louis, Illinois grew from 6,000 to 18,000 between 1910 and 1917, leading to increased tensions with the White American population. The Aluminum Ore Company, meatpacking industry, and railroad industry were major employers in the area, with companies like Swift & Company, Armour and Company, and Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad hiring large numbers of workers. However, African Americans often faced Racial segregation and Discrimination in the workplace, with many being forced to join African American-only Labor unions, such as the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters.

The Riot

The riot began on July 1, 1917, when a White American man was killed by an African American man in a Drive-by shooting. The incident sparked a wave of violence, with White American mobs attacking African American neighborhoods and businesses in East St. Louis, Illinois. The Illinois National Guard was deployed to the area, but they were initially unable to stop the violence. The riot continued for several days, with estimates suggesting that up to 200 African Americans were killed, and thousands more were displaced. The riot was eventually brought under control by the Illinois National Guard, with the help of FBI agents, including J. Edgar Hoover, and U.S. Marshals. The riot was widely condemned by leaders, including President Woodrow Wilson, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Ida B. Wells.

Aftermath

The aftermath of the riot saw a significant increase in Racial tension in the United States, with many African Americans calling for greater protections and equality. The riot led to the formation of the NAACP's Anti-Lynching Campaign, which aimed to end lynching and other forms of Racial violence. The riot also led to increased activism by leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Thurgood Marshall. The East St. Louis riot of 1917 was also a major factor in the Great Migration of African Americans from the Southern United States to the Northern United States, with many seeking to escape the Racial segregation and Discrimination of the Southern United States. Cities like Chicago, Illinois, Detroit, Michigan, and Cleveland, Ohio saw significant increases in their African American populations, leading to the formation of new African American communities and institutions, such as the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the National Urban League.

Investigation and Legacy

The East St. Louis riot of 1917 was investigated by a number of organizations, including the United States Congress, the FBI, and the NAACP. The investigations found that the riot was sparked by a combination of factors, including Racial segregation, Discrimination, and Economic competition. The riot led to a number of reforms, including the passage of the Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill, which aimed to end lynching and other forms of Racial violence. The riot also led to increased activism by leaders, including W.E.B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells, and Langston Hughes, who called for greater protections and equality for African Americans. The East St. Louis riot of 1917 is remembered as one of the worst race riots in United States history, and it continues to be studied by historians and scholars, including David Levering Lewis, John Hope Franklin, and Doris Kearns Goodwin.

Social and Economic Factors

The East St. Louis riot of 1917 was sparked by a combination of social and economic factors, including Racial segregation, Discrimination, and Economic competition. The Great Migration of African Americans from the Southern United States to the Northern United States led to increased competition for jobs and housing in cities like East St. Louis, Illinois, St. Louis, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. The African American population in East St. Louis, Illinois grew from 6,000 to 18,000 between 1910 and 1917, leading to increased tensions with the White American population. The Aluminum Ore Company, meatpacking industry, and railroad industry were major employers in the area, with companies like Swift & Company, Armour and Company, and Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad hiring large numbers of workers. However, African Americans often faced Racial segregation and Discrimination in the workplace, with many being forced to join African American-only Labor unions, such as the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. The East St. Louis riot of 1917 highlights the need for greater understanding and addressing of social and economic factors that contribute to Racial tension and Discrimination, as noted by scholars like Gunnar Myrdal, Oliver Cox, and St. Clair Drake.

Category:Riots and civil unrest in the United States