ipl-logo

History Of The Zoot Suit Riots

1789 Words8 Pages

Mexicans were first allowed in the United States in 1880, when they were used as workers to build the railroad between Mexico and the US (“Mexican Immigrant Labor History” paragraph 4). This was the start to hundreds of years of false hope and abuse toward Mexican workers from the United States government. The US government treated Mexican workers harshly and unfairly. The US only decided to allow Mexican workers to come into the country during the Bracero Programs. These programs were temporary agreements to allow Mexican laborers into the states to work until they were no longer needed. The timelines of the two Bracero programs directly correlate with World War 1 and World War 2, when America needed the most help. This proves that our government …show more content…

Once again, our government was allowing Mexican workers to come to the United States to work temporarily. The next year, in 1943 in downtown Los Angeles, the Zoot Suit Riots occurred. A zoot suit was worn as a part of the jazz movement during this time. It was seen as flagrant because it was worn by people of color who were expected to blend in and not make themselves noticeable. This was considered open defiance to people of Los Angeles, particularly those who had not immigrated. Zoot Suit Riots took place between Mexican-Americans and military men, such as sailors. The tension started between them when the military men came to Los Angeles on leave from the war, and started fighting men wearing zoot suits in the streets. These riots took place on numerous nights. The first night was May 30, 1943, and they continued until the last one on June 7, 1943. The Zoot Suit Riots started when American sailor Joe Coleman was walking with fellow sailors, and they passed by a group of men in zoot suits. Coleman grabbed the arm of one of the zoot suited men for “fear of being attacked” by him. The other zoot suited men then attacked and beat the sailors. Sailors and other military men recognized they had lost the fight against Mexican-Americans, and the next night they went back out in search of zoot suited men in order to retaliate against them. This is why the Zoot Suit Riots continued on for so …show more content…

In 1953, the US government deported 3.8 million Mexicans back to Mexico. In June of 1954, “Operation Wetback” occurred. During this time, the United States Immigration and Naturalization Services deported around a million Mexican workers. In the 1960's, the Bracero program was criticized, and the program limitations were make harder, so the wages needed were higher, and less could be allowed in. In 1965, the government passed the Immigration and Nationality Act. This limited the amount of immigrants allowed to enter the US per

Show More
Related

Zoot-Suit Fighting Spreads On Coast Summary

514 Words | 3 Pages

In the article “Zoot-Suit Fighting Spreads on Coast” (1943) it discusses the racial tension between sailors and soldiers and the “zoot suits” on the west coast. Zoot Suits were mainly Mexican Americans and some African Americans who wore certain outfits that showed that they opposed these “wartime authorities” on the west coast. Most of the Zoot Suits were young men, some as young as twelve years old. This racial tension eventually turned into the soldiers and zoot suits hating each other and this eventually resulted in a week of rioting where more than 150 people were hurt. During this time in 1943 the US was still fighting a world war, so there was no need for anymore chaos to be going on.

Read More

Summary Of The Zoot Suit Riots

514 Words | 3 Pages

The “Zoot Suit Riots” were a series of events linked to the Sleepy Lagoon murder case, that took place in Los Angeles California in June 1943. Despite the fact that zoot suits were not only worn by mexican americans during this time, and they were referred to the zoot gangsters. Often throughout this period of time as the city of LA began to grow, Mexican Americans were looked as outsiders in a city that was once built by their ancestors. Although zoot suits were not limited to only a single race I think the name of the event give it a false single sided outlook on the story. Ultimately singling out Mexican Americans during this time, even though the sailors had just as much or even more involvement during the riots.

Read More

Zoot Suit By Luis Valdez: Racial Tension

1383 Words | 6 Pages

Racial tensions in Los Angeles came into the public eye when a gang of sailors beat up a group of Mexican-Americans wearing “zoot suits” in June of 1943. This led to the mass incarceration of these individuals known as “pachucos”. This initial incident was followed by days of violence in which servicemen roamed the Los Angeles area and physically assaulted any Mexican American they found in zoot suit apparel. The following two nights, the attacks progressed and though a few sailors were arrested while others were warned not to proceed in further assaults, word of the rioting spread and more military personnel from other areas of the city joined in as well. These events were preceded by increased racial tension between Mexican-Americans and Anglo Saxons.

Read More

Mexicans In The United States Chapter 1 Outline

1447 Words | 6 Pages

In the 1990s an update of the H2A program claimed that the program was importing thousands of workers to the United States. Arguably one of the most important aspects of the H2A program was that “guest workers” were contracted and by that contract were allowed workers’ compensation coverage, housing inspections and transportation. This was a vital improvement because undocumented workers were not entitled to such allowances. More so, the program presented a chance for Mexicans to work in the United States legally which was an appreciated opportunity for Mexican workers. This program clearly promoted new and improved benefits for Mexican

Read More

Rebirth Summary

828 Words | 4 Pages

The book Rebirth overall was a great book to read about the Chicano history. It was detailed about the rough time in Los Angeles for Mexican Immigrants. It showed me certain viewpoints that I would’ve never saw such as the discrimination against U.S citizens being labeled as illegal aliens because of their looks. From what I read most Los Angeles Mexican American settlers were deported on a small compact train that was full of people from the United States to Mexico. Simply, because of their skin color or their similar looks to Mexicans.

Read More

Bracero Program Pros And Cons

699 Words | 3 Pages

Employers often intimidated the braceros, and sometimes even resorted to violent coercion as a means of getting what they wanted. Because of this terrible treatment, many braceros left their jobs and attempted to find new ones with different American employers. However, they were often unable to do this without the proper documentation, and were either deported to Mexico, or forced to work for a different employer but under the same dismal conditions. (cite, 151) After years of continually-worsening conditions, the Mexican government finally stepped in and resumed an active role in protecting the rights of the braceros. In 1951, Public Law 78 was passed by the U.S. Congress, and the governments of the U.S. and Mexico agreed to re-examine the rules and regulations of the Bracero Program.

Read More

History Of The Trial Of East Los Angeles Walkouts

1329 Words | 6 Pages

Trial of East Los Angeles Blowouts (Walkouts) 1968 Ashley Hernandez Mr. Carmona 2nd period May 7th, 2018 In the late 1960s, the school districts of East Los Angeles were entrenched with racism. Mexican American dropout rates were high and college entry rates were low compared to any other ethnicity. The Mexican American race was underestimated by school districts and teachers, so they did not offer them any guidance since counselors knew they would eventually drop out and either join the army or become a farm worker like their families. The students decided it was time for a change but teachers always avoided meeting to discuss their situation.

Read More

Was The Mexican-American War Justified?

1199 Words | 5 Pages

When Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821, a string of ruthless dictators and weak presidents made Mexico an easy target for its powerful neighbor, the United States. The US swooped in to expand its territory and its popular institution of slavery. By doing so, the US started a war with Mexico that was justified for illegitimate reasons. The Mexican-American War was not justified because the US took Mexico’s land for the expansion of slavery, and justified their taking advantage of Mexico when it was politically weak by hiding behind Manifest Destiny.

Read More

Japanese-Americans During WWII

426 Words | 2 Pages

During the war the economy needed workers in many different areas. The government introduced the Bracero Program (Bracero is Spanish for worker) in 1942 that helped farmers in the southwest overcome the labor shortage. The federal government arranged for Mexican farm workers to help in the harvest. Over 200,000 Mexican workers came to the U.S. to help in the harvest. Many Mexicans who helped in the harvest also helped build and maintain railroads.

Read More

Watts Riot Research Paper

2008 Words | 9 Pages

Watts Riots During the summer of 1965 in Watts, CA (a section of south central Los Angeles) a riot broke out and devastated the community of Watts destroying homes, business and millions of dollars’ worth of property. Some call it a riot, some call it a tragedy, and others may even call it a rebellion or a revolt. One thing for sure it was a statement made by the people of Watts. It roots stemmed poverty, low employment, frustrated citizens and terrible living conditions.

Read More

The Repatriation Of Mexican Americans During The 1930

355 Words | 2 Pages

While Mexico was still a developing nation in the beginning of 1900’s, revolutions and political turmoil from previous years made many Mexican immigrants to migrate to United States in the search to improve their living conditions. According to the movie Mexican repatriation while working in America the Mexican population suffered as well the great depression of 1929 in which many people lost their investments and jobs, this was a time of crisis and Mexicans were used as a scapegoat in that time where they were discriminated, then many returned to Mexico where they were free of prejudice. According to the movie deportation of Mexican American During the 1930 : The Mexican Americans who were citizens were pressured to leave America. While in

Read More

Chicano Movement 1970's

2116 Words | 9 Pages

The United States would claim that these Mexicans were bringing drugs into the country and would need to be deported. Many of these people were unfairly tried and convicted just because of American fear. Mexicans immigrants and Mexican-Americans were treated unfairly and were just trying to find and build a better life. A Mexican immigrant named Cesar Chavez created the United Farm workers in the 1960’s, which would help release tension with Americans and allow them to be treated as equals. Cesar Chavez was a very influential leader in the Chicano Movement.

Read More

What Happened To The Mexican-American War?

969 Words | 4 Pages

How far will you go to stand up for what is right? The Mexican-American War began in 1846 but beforehand there were many conflicts and inexcusable actions of Mexico that lead to the explosion of the ticking time bomb filled with rightful vengeance known as the United States of America. Although the war concluded around 170 years ago, there is still constant debate whether this brutal war was rightful or completely inexcusable on behalf of both nations. The inevitable conquest of Mexico may be seen in many different ways but, due to the mindless acts of Mexico herself, and whom she is ran by (her government), the lack of assisting American settlers, their unwillingness to negotiate to settle in a peaceful manner, and her hostile acts towards the United States, the war was logical because the United States was just doing what she had to do in order to protect her people. To begin with, the Mexican government did not even attempt to support/assist the Americans in their transition into Mexican land.

Read More

Immigration Act Of 1965 Essay

666 Words | 3 Pages

The immediate impact of the Immigration Act of 1965 was mainly abolishing the quota system, which had been in place since 1924; this quota system had ensured that immigration to the united states was primarily reserved for European Immigrants. The formula of the system was designed to favor Western and Northern European countries and greatly limit admission of immigrants from Asia, Africa, Middle East, and Southern and Eastern Europe. Finally, around forty years later, this unfair system was replaced with a preference system based on immigrants’ family relationships with U.S citizens or

Read More

Immigration Act Of 1965 Essay

1137 Words | 5 Pages

In the midst of the Cold War and the civil rights movement, an immigration act was passed that would greatly impact the future of America. On October 3, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 on Liberty Island. Also known as the Hart-Cellar Act, it changed the preference system in the United States’ immigration policy to make it more fair for immigrants of all origins. The idea for the act was made by President John F. Kennedy, but he was assassinated before he was able to pass the bill. As a result, Johnson was adamant about the need for the act and worked with Congress to get it passed.

Read More

More about History Of The Zoot Suit Riots

Open Document