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HIS 100 Module Three Activity Template: Historical Context
Replace the bracketed text below with your responses.
Describe the historical context surrounding your historical event.
The Tulsa race massacre is one of American history’s most famous racial violence. The massacre took place between May 31 to June 1, 1921 (Krehbiel, 2019). It began when the mob from the white race armed with weapons given to them by city officials attacked black residents and destroyed their homes and properties. Businesses of the blacks were not spared during the massacre that occurred in Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma, US. Also known as the Tulsa race riot or the Black Wall Street massacre is considered one of the deadliest terrorist events in American history. More than 35 squire blocks of the wealthiest black communities were destroyed (Tulsa Historical Society and Museum, n.d.). The event began on the memorial day when a 19 years old black shoe shiner Dick Rowland was accused of assaulting Sarah Page, a 17 years old white elevator operator. The event led to 39 deaths, of which 26 were blacks, and 13 were whites.
Describe a key historical figure or group’s participation in your historical event.
The Tulsa race massacre involved two main ethnic groups, the whites and the blacks living in Greenwood District. The blacks were involved in the massacre because of the rumors that spread after Dick Rowland was arrested and taken to custody that whites were surrounding the jail waiting to lynch him (Tulsa Historical Society and Museum, n.d.). Seventy-five black men with weapons went to the jail to ensure that The white mob did not lynch dick, Rowland. The massacre also involved white militants and jail sheriffs who wanted to control the situation and bring culm to the jail premises. Other people involved in the massacre included members of the right and left-wing movements and civil movement leaders (Messer, 2021). It is also clear from the inquest reports of the event that white city officials participated in the massacre by providing weapons to the white mob.
Explain the key historical figure or group’s motivation to participate in your historical event.
Different factors instigated the participants in the Tulsa massacre to participate in the event. Firstly, the black Americans were motivated by the rumors that the white Americans were daring to lynch Dick Rowland, who had been accused of assaulting Sarah Page (Messer, 2021). They wanted to ensure that Dick Rowland was safe in custody. Secondly, the whites were motivated to participate in the following reports in the newspaper that Dick Rowland tried to rape Sarah Page. They were also motivated by the shooting of an old white man shot by a black sheriff at the O. B. when trying to disarm the guard (Krehbiel, 2019). There was an exchange of gunfire, and the event left 10 whites and two blacks dead. These deaths accelerated the riot to other parts of the neighborhood.
Articulate how the historical context caused or influenced your chosen historical event.
The bad blood between the blacks and whites in America has deep historical roots and is race-based. The lynching of the black Americans accused of crimes was prevalent during this period. It resulted in the death of many innocent people who were not given a chance to defend themselves before the judge (Messer, 2021). I chose this event because it provides historical facts on how prejudice directed at black Americans increased the level of racism in American society. It also exposes the root cause of the tension that has prevailed over the years between the blacks and the whites in American society.
Explain how connecting your historical event and current event improves the understanding of your topic.
Racism in America is not new, but it has its roots in history. Historians can best understand the origin of racism in American society if they study historical events such as the Tulsa race massacre (Messer, 2021). The event was not a civil riot, but it was an ethnic clash pegged on the bad blood and malice between the whites and the black races in America (Tulsa Historical Society and Museum, n.d.). Racism is the main reason why the Tulsa race massacre occurred. The event exposes the damages, harms, and dangers associated with racism. The event provides vital facts that inform society why it should work to eliminate racism in America.
References
Krehbiel, R. (2019). Tulsa, 1921: Reporting a massacre. University of Oklahoma Press. Retrieved from,
Messer, C. M. (2021). Causes of the Tulsa Race Massacre. In The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre (pp. 33-53). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. Retrieved from
Tulsa Historical Society and Museum. (n.d.). 1921 Tulsa race massacre. Tulsahistory.org.
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