Bucketman142

Intro

The Seattle riot of 1886 resulted from anti-Chinese sentiment, which was prevalent in the Western United States during the 19th century. The events culminated in March 1886 but the build-up to the violence began in late summer 1885 as a result of a concerted effort by regional Knights of Labor leaders.[1]

Background -In late 1850s through 1870s increase in # of Chinese in NW a response to mining discoveries and railroad construction throughout the area -p192 Chinese Immigrants and American Law -Washington Territory met Chinese with xenophobia and head taxes (talk more about Chinese restrictions pre riot)-192 -Chinese in NW still constituted minority of population-193 -Rocky Springs Lead Up (precedent for letting criminal acts against Chinese go, just send troops to protect)

-Meetings by Knights and proclamation issued by committees to Chinese to vacate -Role

Members of the Knights of Labor were leaders of the organized movement against Chinese workers in Seattle.[1][2] The Knights, in Washington Territory, were only loosely affiliated with the national organization. The chapter's organizer was Daniel Cronin, a 38-year-old carpenter who came to the Puget Sound area via California during the summer of 1885. Under Cronin's leadership, the Washington Knights of Labor went from a loose-knit band of workers to an organized and militant "brotherhood".[1] In September 1885, Cronin warned Seattle's workers that riot and bloodshed would follow during the winter if the Chinese were not removed. It was Cronin and the leadership of the Knights of Labor that planned for the systematic expulsion of Seattle's Chinese; the group organized a territorial anti-Chinese congress and declared that all Chinese must leave Seattle by November 1, 1885.[1] After the formation of local coordinating committees, Cronin stepped away from his post as Knights leader and left the Chinese expulsion, largely, to other individuals.[1]

Outbreak -Introduce Squire(Gov), Yelser (mayor), McGraw (Sheriff) , Brig Gen John Gibbon, Col Isaac DeRussy -p99 ROle of Fed -Mobs take Chinese to Boats -Trip to courthouse with troops -Trip back to boats and the return of the Chinese to their homes sparks violence

Riot -2 militiamen hurt and 3 rioters hurt -support for persecution of militiamen squashed

On February 7, 1886,[3] a mob rounded up Seattle's Chinese and took them to where ships were waiting to transport them away.[4] The police made a futile attempt to protect the Chinese but the mob was insatiable and continued to riot accordingly.[4] The governor of Washington, Watson Squire, ordered that the ship not be allowed to leave the dock. The next morning more than 350 Chinese gathered at the shore to await the next ship for San Francisco, due in six days. 200 of the Chinese embarked for San Francisco on the first ship, leaving some 150 others on shore, stranded.[4]

When the Home Guards tried to get the throng of Chinese workers to return to their homes, the crowd rioted and the deputies fired into the crowd; one person was killed and four others wounded.[4] As a result of the riot, U.S. President Grover Cleveland and Squire declared martial law in the city.[4][5][6] Troops were ordered into the Puget Sound area from Fort Vancouver, a contingent stayed in Tacoma, where rioting had also occurred, and 350 moved on to Seattle to prevent further expulsion of the Chinese.[1] The state militia and the federal troops eventually assisted in quelling the riot.[4][7] Eventually passions in Seattle cooled, as they did elsewhere, as most of the Chinese immigrants ended up departing.[4]

Congress paid $276,619.15 to the Chinese government in compensation for the rioting, but the actual victims never saw any such compensation.[4]

Aftermath (Seattle) -Troops remain -Chinese population gone

(US) -resulted in considerable property loss for Chinese during hasty evacuations -p193 Chinese Immigrants and American Law -Fall in immigration leads to fall in # of Chinese and therefore fall in violence. Continues until no more incidents are reported. -p109 The Role of Federal Military Forces in Domestic Disorders, 1877-1945 -Exclusion Act Renewed 1892, Scott Act 1887 (merchants and students) put in Place -p109 Role -struggle between organized labor and management over Chinese labor would continue for another 4 decades although federal troops rarely played a role after 1886 -role p108

(China)-protection of Chinese workers in U.S. by Chinese government from overseas proved difficult in 1886, Chinese ministers in U.S. fight against Scott Act (chinese exclusion act of 1882) -p68 Qing Perceptions of Anti-Chinese Violence in the United States -eventually China bans all Chinese to U.S. emigration, ministers and Chinese government officials work to implement ban -p69Qing -reasoning, way to diminish hostility between Chinese and Whites in America and protect the Chinese immigrants from future violence-p 70 Qing -Merchants allowed to stay.

Comments

John--a good start here, but here are some things to pursue: Your Intro needs to briefly describe the riot, what caused it, amount of casualties, destruction and other implications (i.e., expulsion and dispossession of Chinese population)--basically a short summary of what you'll present in the article.

Somewhere in the article you'll want to discuss the similarity between the Seattle riot and San Francisco's sandlot riots, Rock Springs, etc. and the role of labor competition and race as factors in causing the violence (citing your secondary sources on this).

For the aftermath section, make sure you discuss the long-term impact of the expulsions on Seattle. The depopulation of Seattle's Chinatown was just the first of many challenges to the city's Asian immigrant communities--highway building later leveled much of the original Chinatown and during WW2, Chinese residents had to wear badges identifying themselves as Chinese to distinguish them from Japanese who were taken off to internment camps. See the website on the history of the International District at:http://www.cidbia.org/history

Finally, make sure your article has links to these related topics: other anti-Chinese riots, Knights of Labor, Chinese Exclusion Act, International District, etc. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Docjay57 (talk • contribs) 21:55, 18 March 2013 (UTC)

John,

I'd second Dr. Johnson's comments, specifically the idea that the Intro needs a simple description of the basics like the one most Wikipedia articles have.

I had four spot points:

“The Seattle riot of 1886 resulted from anti-Chinese sentiment, which was prevalent in the Western United States during the 19th century.” You may want a cursory explanation of why, though that might be difficult to do without sprawling.

I also would include more information on the Knights of Labor. Who were they, and why might they oppose the Chinese?

“the crowd rioted” A more thorough description (e.g. do we know who threw objects / shouted / etc.?) might help here. As written I had an image of a riot happening almost instantaneously, which I doubt.

Congress paid $276,619.15 to the Chinese government in compensation for the rioting, but the actual victims never saw any such compensation.[4] I would put this in your “Aftermath” section.

Otherwise it looks good. Lawrence.ue (talk) 04:45, 28 March 2013 (UTC)

Help us improve the Wikipedia Education Program

Hi Bucketman142! As a student editor on Wikipedia, you have a lot of valuable experience about what it's like to edit as a part of a classroom assignment. In order to help other students like you enjoy editing while contributing positively to Wikipedia, it's extremely helpful to hear from real student editors about their challenges, successes, and support needs. Please take a few minutes to answer these questions by clicking below. (Note that the responses are posted to a public wiki page.) Thanks!

Delivered on behalf of User:Sage Ross (WMF), 17:03, 10 April 2013 (UTC)