The Zoot Riots Of WWII

World War II began in 1939 and ended in 1945. This war killed more people and destroyed more property than any other war with fifty-nine countries being involved in(2). Pearl Harbor, the first sneak attack by another country on US soil was a pivotal beginning to the war for the United States. There were many reasons for the United States to get involved into the war and help its allies, but it was Pearl Harbor which forced us into it. Because of Pearl Harbor, Hitler and the crimes against humanity that he committed it justified United States entry into the war.

World War II was a devastating war that impacted the entire world. It is estimated that nearly 60 million people were killed, including civilians. The fight was between the Allies and Axis powers. While the United States tried to remain neutral in the war and not get involved. However, due to Japan’s military launching

“The Japanese plan was simple: Destroy the Pacific Fleet. That way, the Americans would not be able to fight back as Japan’s armed forces spread across the South Pacific. On December 7, after months of planning and practice, the Japanese launched their attack. In all, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor crippled or destroyed nearly 20 American ships and more than 300 airplanes. Dry docks and airfields were likewise destroyed. Most important, almost 2,500 men were killed and another 1,000 were wounded. On December 8, Congress approved Roosevelt’s declaration of war. Three days later, Japanese allies Germany and Italy declared war against the United States. For the second time, Congress reciprocated. More than two years after the start of the conflict, the United States had entered World War II” (History.com).

An important factor, which contributed to the Zoot Suit Riots, was the influence of the media. Newspapers and propaganda began to detriment the appearance of Pachucos and zoot suits. This dynamic added to the strong anti-Mexican sentiment, and led to the spread of hysteria during the war. In addition, the encouragement from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), as well as the presence of the servicemen in Los Angeles immediately led to the riots. Although all these factors contributed to the riots, they all fail to address the important underlying psychological stressors, which caused tension against the Pachucos’ style. Therefore, I claim that that the Girardian persecution dynamic, based on lack of difference between the Pachucos and the patriotic Americans, contributed mainly to the riots.

The Chicago Race Riots of 1919 helped to further show how African Americans are looked as inferior, not just within the citizens of the United States, but the Congress and criminal justice system. White and black beaches were separated by an invisible line; the black beach on 25th street and whites on 29th street. The story of Eugene Williams swimming on the beach worsened after a white police officer, Dan Callahan, refused to intervene or arrest the group of white men responsible for his death, in turn starting the deadliest racial violence in Chicago history. The riot lasted a week with protestors full of rage mostly on the South side with white gangs attacking isolated blacks and blacks attacking isolated whites.

On December 7, 1941 Japan bombed the United States at Pearl Harbor. The bombing of Pearl Harbor lasted very short than what you would expect which was only one day. Before Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, they started war with different nations that were around them. They did this to get the other nation’s materials, for an example oil, lumber, and coal. Japan was foolish for attacking the United States during WWII at Pearl Harbor; their motive was to take over the islands that the United States owned to become more powerful , in contempt of the end the Japanese lost and their cities were destroyed.

On December 7, 1941 Japan bombed The United States at Pearl Harbor. The bombing of Pearl Harbor lasted very short than what you would expect which was only one day. Before Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, they started war with different nations that were around them. They did this to get other nation’s materials, for an example, oil, lumber, and coal. Japan was foolish for attacking the United States during WWII at Pearl Harbor; their motive was to take over the islands that the United States owned to become more powerful, in contempt of the end the Japanese lost and their cities were destroyed.

On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. It was indeed a great shock to the United States, many documents show that the bombing on Pearl Harbor was an attempt to stop the United States from entering into World War II. This attack was the turning in point World War II, and United States making the decision to help the Allies. Japan attacked Pearl Harbor because of its narcissistic political mentality and angered by United States placing the embargo act on oil.

Dec. 7, 1941: Pearl Harbor: During WWII, the Japanese bombed an American military base located in Hawaii because they wanted to increase their power in the Pacific. The bombing of Pearl Harbor left more than 2000 men dead and injured more than 1000. The attack also causes Congress to declare war on Japan the following day meaning the United States was officially involved in WWII. The attack on Pearl Harbor is important because it was the main factor that lead the United States to get involved in World War II.

The Zoot Suit Riots of 1943: What caused them, what happened, and what were the effects?

Tensions then started to grow high between zoot-suiters and the white sailors and Marines that were stationed in Los Angeles. The racially charged atmosphere finally led to a full-scale riots in early June 1943. Newspapers were wanting to distract attention from the war and single out their determined internal enemies, known as gangs. (History.com) Newspaper articles written throughout the Nineteen Forties, about the adolescent’s behavior and language.

Racial tensions began heightening in the city of Los Angeles on June of 1943. It’s what came to be known as the Zoot Suit Riots. Racial tension between Mexican Americans who were called both pachucos and zoot suiters. They were known for their fashion which had a symbolic meaning towards them, it was a way in expressing themselves which white sailors and servicemen disliked. They saw Mexican Americans as thugs, gang members, and delinquents. White servicemen and sailors were unfamiliar with hispanics, but it was so easy for them to discriminate by appearance. Several Mexican Americans served in white units. Tension was rising between them, especially when marines and sailors assaulted both Mexican and African Americans in their own neighborhood. Also, for a false rumor towards Mexican Americans which stated that they had attacked and stabbed a sailor. Both races were being discriminated and were treated unjustly. The day came on June 3, 1943 where these conflicts led to the Zoot Suit Riots. This incident of violence lasted a whole week. Zoot suiters were beaten and arrested for no reason at all. The issues that led to the Zoot Suits in 1943 was Jose Diaz, the Sleepy Lagoon Case, and racial attacks between whites and people of color. This filled the atmosphere with a lot of hatred and discrimination that had erupted in the summer of 1943. The riot led to a compromise of all military personnel being banned from the city limits with in Los Angeles

Zoot suit riots started on june 3rd 1943. At that time there was war immediately upon, zoot suits and other impractical representatives were banned.

On December 7th, 1941, a tragic event happened. Pearl Harbor, Hawaii got bombed. Nearly twenty vessels destroyed or damaged, leaving more than two thousand four hundred people dead and one thousand people injured. It was a tragic moment in Hawaii and what Japan thought was a victorious moment for them. Little did Japan know that the United States had some tricks up their sleeve. John F. Kennedy declared war.

On December 7th, 1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was the target of an unannounced military attack by the Japanese Navy. This resulted in the United States entry into World War II. After almost 4 years of war, 400,000 US casualties, 6 months of air strikes on Japanese cities and an impending defeat of Japan, an ultimatum was delivered to Japan by the United States: surrender or be destroyed.