Haymarket Affair: "Blood and the Bomb*
Chicago, ILL, May 4. -Great were the expectations of the socialistic leaders of running the meeting they had called for to-night. As early as 7:30 o'clock had been mentioned for the speaking, when the excitement would begin. The place chosen w the old hay market on Randolph street, capable of holding from 15,000 to 20,000 men.
The scene around the market about 8 p.m. showed that the scattered grou of men loitering in the vicinity would make a crowd numbering not to exceed 1500
A man who was standing in the crowd received a pistol ball in the thigh and has just been brought to the Central police station. He said that during the progress of the socialistic meeting a squad of officers marched by close to the speakers' stand. Some. Y one shouted, "kill the d-ds." Almost as soon as the words had been uttered three bombs were thrown from near the stand into the midst of the squad of officers. They exploded instantly and five policemen fell.
Others were wounded, and several of the socialists did not escape….
Later--more coherent accounts are coming in and they point to a much more disastrous affray than was at first reported..
At the time of the throwing of the
bombs the crowd had dwindled down to less than a thousand.
The utterances of the speakers were stillof a most inflammatory character, however, and the hearers who still remained grew riotous in demeanor. The police concluded to put an end to the disturbance, and advancing, ordered the crowd to disperse. At first the socialists fell back slowly, one of the speakers still urging them to stand firm.
Suddenly the bombs were thrown. The police retorted instantly with a volley from their revolvers. The rioters answered with theirs, which shots showed they were provided with pistols. The mob appeared crazed with a frantic desire for blood, and holding its ground, poured volley after volley into the midst of the officers. The latter fought gallantly and at last dispersed the mob and cleared the marketplace.
Describe at least one cause and effect of the Haymarket Affair:
Cause: The inflammatory speeches and radical ideologies of the socialistic leaders at the meeting fueled the dissatisfaction and anger among the remaining crowd.
Effect: The throwing of the bombs by unknown individuals resulted in the death of five policemen and several injuries. The violent clash between the police and the rioters further escalated tensions and led to the dispersal of the mob. The Haymarket Affair ultimately led to the arrest, trial, and execution of several anarchist leaders, causing a crackdown on labor rights and the suppression of radical movements in the United States.
Cause: The inflammatory rhetoric and behavior of the socialistic leaders and speakers at the meeting in the Haymarket Square contributed to the tension and turmoil in the crowd. They made provocative statements and encouraged the crowd to stand firm, escalating the situation.
Effect: The throwing of bombs by unidentified individuals towards the police officers resulted in the deaths of five policemen and injuries to others. This sparked a violent clash between the officers and the riotous mob, leading to continued gunfire exchange and ultimately the dispersal of the crowd. The Haymarket Affair is remembered as a significant event in labor history and had a profound impact on labor movements and laws in the United States.