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White Supremacist Violence and the Red Summer

Adam King

Adam King

9 min read

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Study Guide Overview

This study guide covers the Red Summer (1919) and the Great Migration, focusing on the surge in white supremacist violence against African Americans. It examines the causes of this violence, including the return of Black WWI veterans, the Great Migration itself, and post-war instability. Key events like the Chicago Race Riot and the Tulsa Race Massacre are explored. The guide also analyzes African American responses, such as political activism, self-defense, and the Great Migration as a form of resistance. Finally, it examines Claude McKay's poem "If We Must Die" and photographs of the Tulsa Massacre as primary sources, offering practice questions and exam tips.

AP African American Studies: Red Summer & The Great Migration - Night Before Review 🚀

Hey! Let's get you totally prepped for tomorrow. This guide is designed to be super clear, visual, and engaging, so you can feel confident and ready. We’re going to break down the key stuff, link it all together, and make sure you’re set to ace this exam. Let’s go!

1. The Explosive Era: 1917-1921

This period was INTENSE. We’re talking about a huge spike in white supremacist violence against African Americans. Think of it as a pressure cooker of racial tension that finally blew its lid. 💥

1.1. White Supremacist Violence: The Spark

  • Key Period: 1917-1921 saw a massive surge in racial violence.
  • Red Summer: 1919 was the peak, known as the "Red Summer" due to the bloodshed. 🩸
  • Who was Targeted: Black communities across the U.S. were under attack.
  • Types of Violence: Lynchings, riots, and racial terrorism were rampant.
Key Concept

Key Concept: This era wasn't just random acts; it was a systematic campaign of terror aimed at maintaining white supremacy.

1.2. What Fueled the Flames?

  • Returning Black Veterans: Black soldiers came home from WWI expecting respect, but faced discrimination and violence. 😠
  • The Great Migration: As Black people moved from the South to Northern cities, competition for jobs and housing increased, leading to racial tension.
  • Post-War Chaos: Economic and social upheaval after WWI (unemployment, inflation) made things even worse.
Memory Aid

Memory Aid: Remember V.M.P (Veterans, Migration, Post-war) to recall the main causes of the violence.

1.3. Red Summer: The Boiling Point

  • Why "Red"?: The summer of 1919 was marked by so much bloodshed, it was named the "Red Summer."

  • Multiple Factors: The global flu pandemic, job competition, and racial discrimination all played a role.

  • Urban Riots: Over 30 major race riots erupted across the country.

    • Chicago Race Riot (July 27 - Aug 3, 1919): Started when a Black teen was killed for crossing a segregation line at a beach.
    • Washington D.C. Race Riot (July 19-23, 1919): Triggered by false rumors of a Black man attacking a white woman.
    • Elaine Massacre (Sept 30 - Oct 1, 1919): White mobs killed hundreds of Black sharecroppers organizing for better conditions.
Quick Fact

Quick Fact: The Red Summer was a turning point, showing just how deeply racism was ingrained in American society.

1.4. Tulsa Race Massacre: Black Wall Street Destroyed

  • Greenwood District: Tulsa, Oklahoma, had a thriving Black community known as "Black Wall Street."
  • The Spark: A false accusation against a Black man led to a white mob attacking Greenwood.
  • Devastation: Over 1,...
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