Omaha Race Riot of 1919

Omaha Race Riot of 1919NotesWhat factors led to the Omaha Race Riot of 1919?Why/how did the riot occur?Who were the main figures of the riot?Who participated/was involved?What actions were taken by the mob?What did authorities do to try and stop the riot?Background: The Great Migration (Late 1800s-World War I)Shift in African American population to the NorthWhy?1860: 93% of African Americans lived in the South1930: 80% of African Americans lived in the SouthWas the North necessarily better?

-Jim Crow Laws in the South, new job opportunities in the North-Often faced anger and hatred from whites in the North (thought blacks would work for lower wages and take their jobs)3Increasing Racial TensionsIncreased African American population in the North led to increased racial tensionsWhy?Red Summer of 1919Violence erupts in 25 cities (including Omaha)

Great Migration article from Omaha Newspaper"Migration Brings Race Problem, this Woman so Asserts," Cleveland advocate, March 6, 1920. Source: LOC, via Nebraska Studies.org-Prejudice and violence in the North, competition for jobs-Red Summer of 1919, mob violence in 25 cities, including Omaha, Tulsa, and DC4Chicago Race Riot of 1919July 1919Erupted with the death of a 17 year old African American boyLasted several days23 blacks and 15 whites killed537 people woundedHundreds left homeless

-Chicagos black population had doubled since 1910-Had been swimming at a Lake Michigan beach and accidentally floated over to the whites only area5Race Relations in OmahaArrival of blacksStockyards jobs in South OmahaFilled during wartimeCompeted with immigrantsBlack men assaulting white women?Boss Dennisons role-second highest black population in the West (behind LA)-Boss Dennison was a political and crime boss in Omaha at the time, Mayor Smith won against his candidate in 19186The Riot

Overviewhttp://nebraskastudies.org/0700/stories/0701_0134_01.htmlCausesAgnes LoebeckWill BrownOmaha BeeSensationalized PressCompetition for JobsEnd of World War I

-Agnes Loebeck and boyfriend assaulted on September 25-Will Brown arrested on September 25 and accused of the assault-Crowd already threatened to seize Brown, riot began on September 289Omaha Bee Headline"Black Beast First Sticks-up Couple:

The most daring attack on a white woman ever perpetrated in Omaha occurred one block south of Bancroft street near Scenic avenue in Gibson (Omaha neighborhood) last night." -Omaha Bee, September 1919-Does this sound like balanced reporting?10Omaha World-Herald Headline"Pretty little Agnes Loebeck ... was assaulted ... by an unidentified negro at twelve O'clock last night, while she was returning to her home in company with Millard [sic] Hoffman, a cripple."-More or less sensationalized then the Omaha Bee headline?11The Mob at the Courthouse

-Between 5000-15,000 people rioted outside the courthouse12Storming the Courthouse

-Set on fire, wouldnt let firefighters put it out-Attempt to get the police to release Will Brown to the mob-Reaction?-What would you do if you were in the courthouse?13Hanging of Mayor Edward Smith"If you must hang somebody, then let it be me-Mayor Smith (after trying to reason with the mob)Three attempted hangingsRescue at 16th and Harney StSaved by four men in a car"They shall not get him. Mob rule will not prevail in Omaha"

-Hung from a telephone pole and rescued by officers14Fire Rages up the Courthouse"Bring Brown with you and you can come downSituation becomes desperate for police and prisoners (121 of them)Prisoners attempts to throw Brown off the roof foiled by Deputy Sheriffs"I am innocent, I never did it, my God I am innocent." -Will BrownSlips of paper thrown from the building

-Police and prisoners take to the roof of the building-Could this situation have been prevented? If so, how?15The Slips of Paper"The judge says he will give up Negro Brown. He is in dungeon. There are 100 white prisoners on the roof. Save them."Come to the fourth floor of the building and we will hand the negro over to you."-Why did the officers hand over Will Brown?-Were they justified in their decision given the circumstances?-How would you have responded to the situation?16The Lynching of Will BrownHanded over to the mobHung from a telephone postBody dragged through the streets and burnt-Riddled with bullets from guns stolen from area stores17

-Reaction?-What about the crowd?-Who are they?18

-Reaction?-What about the crowd?-Who are they?19Casualties

Omaha World Herald, September 1919-4 dead (2 blacks, 2 whites)-7 police officers with gunshot wounds-Numerous blacks and whites attempting to help blacks beaten

20Aftermath1600 soldiers deployed in Omaha100 people arrested on charges ranging from arson to murderAssigning blame for the riotOmaha BeeBoss DennisonPolice and Mayor SmithArmy for not arriving quickly

. . . the yellow journalism of a certainOmaha newspaper' created the conditionsfor an outbreak of violence. . . .

It is the belief of many that the entireresponsibility for the outrage can beplaced at the feet of a few men and oneOmaha paper. -Reverend Charles E. Cobbey-Who do you think the blame rests with?-Newspaper and Dennison for instigating?-Police and Mayor Smith for not acting quickly enough or doing enough?-Army for not arriving until after the lynching?21Reaction?Write on a separate sheet of paper:What are your reactions to the events that occurred during the Omaha Race Riot of 1919? Do you think an event like this could happen today? Why or why not? How can we learn from history to help insure that another event like this does not occur?Rodney King and the LA Riots of 1992http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLBEfyyL_vw&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdl8ziKU3Jw&feature=related