Charleston race riots
The Charleston race riots occurred in the context of post-Civil War South Carolina, where tensions between Northern-born whites, Southern blacks, and Southern whites were escalating. By 1876, a divisive gubernatorial election approached, pitting Republican incumbent Daniel H. Chamberlain against Democratic challenger Wade Hampton, a former Confederate officer. Political corruption and intimidation were rampant, and on September 6, a rally supporting Hampton by black Democrats was met with violence from black Republicans, igniting a riot that lasted several days. The conflict resulted in one death and numerous injuries, highlighting the intense strife within the community. Following the election on November 7, further violence erupted when black police officers engaged rioters, leading to additional casualties. Federal troops were ultimately called in to restore order. These events marked a significant period of upheaval, as power shifted back to white Democrats by 1877, reflecting the broader struggles of race and politics during Reconstruction in the United States.
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Charleston race riots
After the Civil War ended in 1865, South Carolina was controlled by Northern-born whites and Southern blacks with support from the US federal government. Southern whites who were allied with some Southern blacks attempted to regain control of the local government. By 1876, a tense atmosphere had developed between the two forces as a gubernatorial election approached between Republican Daniel H. Chamberlain, the incumbent and a Massachusetts-born former Union army officer, and DemocratWade Hampton, a former slaveowner and Confederate lieutenant general. Political corruption and intimidation characterized both sides. On September 6, black Democrats rallied in Charleston to support Hampton. A group of black Republicans attacked the black Democrats and their white escorts, and a riot ensued. The riot lasted for several days with black Republicans destroying property and attacking whites. One black man and one white man died, and about one hundred people were injured. Tensions remained high until the election on November 7, and the next day, as people were awaiting the election results, gunfire erupted in Charleston. Black police officers loyal to the Republicans began firing at the rioters. One black man and one white man were killed, and about a dozen other people were injured. Federal troops intervened and restored order. Both candidates claimed victory in the election, but by 1877, power had returned to white Democrats because of a political deal with the Republican presidential candidate.
Bibliography
Collins, Ann V. All Hell Broke Loose: American Race Riots from the Progressive Era through World War II. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2012. Print.
Edgar, Walter, ed. The South Carolina Encyclopedia Guide to the Governors of South Carolina. Columbia: U of South Carolina P, 2012. Print.
Gallagher, Charles A., and Cameron D. Lippard, eds. Race and Racism in the United States: An Encyclopedia of the American Mosaic. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2014. Print.
Kleen, Michael. "The Copperhead Threat in Illinois: Peace Democrats, Loyalty Leagues, and the Charleston Riot of 1864." Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society (1998– ) 105.1 (2012): 69–92. Print.
Prince, K. Stephen. Stories of the South: Race and the Reconstruction of Southern Identity, 1865–1915. Chapel Hill: U of North Carolina P, 2014. Print.