Early Race Wars in the City of Angels

Part 1: The Background

• LA has always been diverse but diversity didn't always mean equality

• Tensions began with Spanish conquest of native Tongva people

• The Gold Rush led to influx of Chinese and Irish immigrants facing prejudice

• Violence increased with invention of revolver and lawlessness in the city

Part 2: Vigilante Rule

• Only 6 police for 5000 people led to groups like LA Rangers taking law into their own hands

• Rangers targeted Latinos and Tongva, leading to retaliation from Latino "banditos"

• Chinese immigrants faced rejection and turned to Tongs, local chinese community groups, for support.

Part 3: Tong Wars & 1871 Massacre

• Tongs, due to limited economic opportunity, eventually relied on running gambling halls, opium dens, and prostitution.

• Rivalry between Tong factions led to shootout over a woman.

• A mob of 500 whites attacked Chinatown after a white officer and businessman were caught in the midst of the shootout and killed.

• 19 Chinese lynched, 10% of Chinese population in the city at the time

• 1906 earthquake diminished Tong violence as they moved to legitimate businesses

Key Themes:

• Racism and lack of opportunities led marginalized groups to illegal activities

• Cycles of violence emerged from tensions between ethnic groups

• Massacre set stage for future race riots in LA's history