Race Riots in Atlanta The year 1906 was a memorable year in Atlanta’s history. While Georgia’s politicians worked for political control, Atlanta experienced one of the worst race riots in the nation’s history. Some thought the riot came about because men like Tom Watson spread racial fears. Others believed that Hoke Smith had used racial fears to gain votes during the governor’s campaign of that year. Still others blamed Atlanta newspapers, which printed false stories of African-American violence against whites.
On the afternoon of Saturday, September 22, local newspaper headlines carried false reports of black assaults on whites. By 9 p.m., a crowd of over 5,000 whites and African Americans gathered on Decatur Street. Some accounts reported that thousands of whites brought guns and began to roam through the downtown area. Fears grew, and the attacks became real. The riot lasted two days. Martial law was declared before the city once again became calm. (Martial law occurs when military forces are used to maintain order because civilian forces will not or cannot maintain order.) The cost in human life was high. At least eighteen African Americans and three whites were killed; hundreds of people were injured. The value of property destroyed was also high, but it could not be accurately estimated.
he year 1906 was a memorable year in Atlanta’s history. While Georgia’s politicians