n psychological terms, crowds are aggregations of individuals whose self-awareness and independence of action can become secondary to a common sense of purpose. In general, crowds lack the shared superheated emotions of a mob, but under stressful or dangerous circumstances a crowd can quickly morph into mob. Likewise, political demonstrations or other initially peaceful gatherings of people can—under the right circumstances, with the right spark applied—erupt into riots. Sometimes the cause is righteous indignation at perceived injustice. Sometimes riots result from fearful impulsive reactions or from physical intimidation or harm. And sometimes the catalyst for rioting is a baser instinct: hatred, bigotry, or prejudice. All of those factors figure in a landscape of American history in the 20th century that is regrettably strewn with rioting. Here are some of the best-known instances.
Chicago Race Riot of 1919
African Americans and whites leaving the beach in Chicago, Illinois, c1919. Racial tensions increased afterthe end ofthe World War I as AfricanAmericans fromthe South moved in increasing numbers intothe South Side.
Chicago Race Riot
Stapleton Historical/age fotostock
As the 20th century unfolded, the efforts of many whites to deny black people equal opportunities in housing, employment, and politics took on ever uglier aspects, not just in the South but also in Northern cities to which African Americans from the rural South had begun migrating. In the “Red Summer” of 1919 (so named for the blood spilled), race riots occurred in some 25 cities. One of the worst occurred in Chicago beginning on July 27, following the stoning and drowning of an African American youth who had drifted into an area of a beach on Lake Michigan tacitly reserved for whites. Fighting broke out between gangs and mobs of both races and escalated for 13 days, resulting in the deaths of 23 black and 15 white Chicagoans. More than 500 people were injured, and some 1,000 black families were left homeless.
