1906 Atlanta Race Massacre (Riot)
Who was involved? Think about the people or groups who were involved and affected by this event.
What happened? Summarize the event!
Where did the event take place?
What region(s) of Georgia did the event take place in?
When did the event take place?
Why is this event important to Georgia’s history?
The people or groups involved in the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre were African Americans, white mobs, and the Atlanta police.
The event began on September 22, 1906, when a white woman named Mae Murray accused an African American man named Robert Pain of assaulting her. This accusation led to a series of racially charged incidents and tensions escalating over the next few days.
On September 22, white mobs began attacking African American residents and businesses in Atlanta, targeting neighborhoods such as "Black Bottom" and "Buttermilk Bottom". The mobs burned down homes, looted businesses, and assaulted and killed African Americans indiscriminately. The Atlanta police initially did little to stop the violence and even participated in some attacks against African Americans.
The event took place in Atlanta, Georgia, specifically in the neighborhoods of "Black Bottom" and "Buttermilk Bottom".
This event took place in the region of northern Georgia.
The Atlanta Race Massacre took place in September 1906.
This event is important to Georgia's history because it highlights the deep-seated racial tensions and violence prevalent during this time in the state. It underscores the systemic racism and discrimination faced by African Americans, as well as the inability of law enforcement to protect their lives and property. The event also contributed to the ongoing migration of African Americans from the South to the North during the Great Migration as they sought better opportunities and safety away from the violent racial climate in Georgia.