Memphis Riots Research Paper

Introduction Just weeks after the first anniversary of the surrender of General Lee's forces at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, devastating riots in Memphis broke out for three days. The riots not only had a local impact but a national impact as well. While the local impact was rather negative due to thousands of dollars in damage and dozens of lives lost, the national impact was relatively positive because of the history-changing policies and constitutional amendments that evolved out of the Memphis riots. While there was an immediate cause for the riots that ensued, political, social, and cultural tensions that had been building since the end of the Civil War ultimately were the main cause for the riots. The Memphis Riots of 1866 are considered some of the most impactful and influential events in Memphis history because of their effect on not only on the local Memphis population but the national population and to some degree international relations. Lovett, Bobby. "Memphis Race Riot of 1866." Memphis Race Riot …show more content…
Under this plan, 10 percent of each state's population would have to swear an oath of allegiance, also known as an ironclad oath, and they would be required to adopt the 13th amendment into their state constitution. This amendment abolished slavery but didn't protect the rights of all people. So when Tennessee technically rejoined the Union, they weren't required to protect the rights of African-Americans. The extent to which the African-American population would be protected was left up to the local police and lawmakers. This was especially a problem in Memphis as the vast majority of the Memphis police force in the 1860's was Irish. Ryan, James Gilbert. "The Memphis Riots of 1866: Terror in a Black Community During Reconstruction". The Journal of Negro History 62.3 (1977): 243–257.

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