1906 Atlanta Race Massacre (Riot)
Who was involved? Think about the people or groups who were involved and affected by this event.
The individuals and groups involved in the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre were:
1. White mobs: The main perpetrators of violence during the event were white mobs composed of white supremacists, Confederate veterans, and other white residents of Atlanta. They organized to attack and kill African Americans.
2. African American residents: African American residents of Atlanta were the primary victims of the violence and were targeted by the white mobs. Many were killed, injured, or had their homes and businesses destroyed.
3. City officials: City officials, including the mayor and police, were involved in the event as they either failed to take adequate measures to prevent the violence or actively supported the white mobs by providing them with weapons and deputizing members of the mob.
4. Journalists: Reporters and journalists played a role by covering and reporting on the event. Their biased reporting often perpetuated racial stereotypes and increased tension between the two communities.
5. Business owners: African American business owners were particularly impacted as their businesses were targeted by the white mobs and destroyed during the riot.
6. Political organizations: Various political organizations, including the Democratic Party, played a part in fomenting racial animosity and maintaining racial segregation policies, which contributed to the environment that led to the massacre.
7. National Guard: The Georgia National Guard was called in to restore order, but their intervention was mostly ineffective and failed to prevent the violence from spreading.
8. Civil rights activists: Although not directly involved in the event, civil rights activists such as W.E.B. Du Bois and the Niagara Movement condemned the violence and used it as further evidence to advocate for an end to racial discrimination and violence against African Americans.
9. Southern society: The event revealed the deeply rooted racism and racial tensions that permeated Southern society at the time. The massacre highlighted the racial divide and led to discussions on race relations in Atlanta and beyond.