Baltimore riot of 1968 facts for kids

The Baltimore uprising of 1968 was a time of serious public unrest. It happened in Baltimore, Maryland, from April 6 to April 14, 1968. During this period, large crowds gathered in the streets. Some people set fires and took items from local businesses without permission. They also had clashes with the police and the National Guard.

The main reason for the unrest was the tragic death of Martin Luther King Jr.. He was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. His death caused similar events in over 100 cities across the United States. These events are sometimes called the Holy Week Uprising.

Spiro Agnew, who was the Governor of Maryland at the time, called for help. Thousands of National Guard troops and 500 Maryland State Police officers were sent in. Their job was to try and stop the unrest. When state forces could not control the situation, Governor Agnew asked President Lyndon B. Johnson for federal troops.

Why Did the Uprising Happen?

Changes in Baltimore's Population

Between World War II and 1968, Baltimore's population changed a lot. The total number of people stayed about the same. However, the number of Black residents grew significantly. Other groups of people became smaller. This meant about 200,000 people shifted in the city's makeup.

Challenges for Black Communities

Black communities in Baltimore faced many problems. Their homes were often not in good condition. They also had high rates of infant mortality, meaning many babies died young. There was also more crime in these areas.

These communities were also hit hard by the decline in Baltimore's manufacturing jobs. Many factories were closing down. This led to very high unemployment rates for Black people. Their unemployment was more than double the national average. In the poorest areas, it was even higher. Those who did have jobs often earned less money. Their working conditions were also sometimes unsafe.

What Happened During the Uprising?

Preparing for Unrest

As unrest spread across the country, Maryland National Guard troops were called up. This happened on April 5, 1968. They were ready for possible trouble in Baltimore. They also prepared for areas of Maryland near Washington, D.C.

The Calm Before the Storm

On April 5, Black neighborhoods in Baltimore were quiet. This was true even though riots were happening nearby in Washington, D.C.. One student at UMBC said it was a sad but peaceful day. There was little violence or unrest. For many, April 5 was just a normal day.

The Start of the Uprising

Baltimore stayed peaceful into April 6. Around noon, 300 people gathered for a peaceful memorial service. It ended at 2 PM without any problems. But then, street traffic started to get heavier. A crowd began to form on Gay St. in East Baltimore. By 5 PM, some windows had been broken. Police started to move into the area.

Reports of fires began coming in after 6 PM. Soon after, the city announced a 10 PM curfew. They also called in 6,000 National Guard troops. Selling alcohol and firearms was immediately banned. At this point, about a thousand people were in the crowd. They moved north on Gay St. towards Harford Rd. and Greenmount Ave. Mayor Thomas D'Alesandro III found it hard to respond effectively. Around 8 PM, Governor Agnew declared a state of emergency.

Many Black-owned businesses avoided damage. They painted the words "Soul Brother" on their doors or windows. People involved in the unrest knew not to harm these businesses.

Spreading Unrest and Federal Troops

By the morning of April 7, reports reached the White House. They described five deaths, 300 fires, and 404 arrests. Unrest also broke out on Pennsylvania Ave in West Baltimore. At one point, a group of white counter-protesters gathered. They were near Patterson Park. National Guard troops stopped them from entering a Black neighborhood. This caused them to leave.

Calming Down

The violence began to decrease after April 9. The Baltimore Orioles played their opening baseball game the next day. However, a James Brown concert planned for April 12 was still canceled. On the afternoon of April 9, federal troops broke up a peaceful rally. They seemed unaware that General Gelston had given permission for the event. Major William "Box" Harris, the city's highest-ranking police officer, helped calm the situation.

What Was the Impact?

Counting the Damage

In the days that followed, six people died. About 700 people were injured. More than 5,800 people were arrested. Around 1,000 small businesses were damaged or had items taken. The financial cost of property damage was very high. It was $15 million in D.C., $12 million in Baltimore, and $10 million in Chicago. These were the highest amounts compared to other cities.

Also, an active Army soldier died in a car accident. This happened while he was leaving the city. People involved in the unrest set over 1,200 fires. The total damage was estimated at over $12 million. This would be about $77.5 million today.

Of those arrested, 3,488 were for breaking curfew. 955 were for taking things from buildings. 665 were for taking items from stores. 391 were for fighting. And 5 were for setting fires.

Lasting Effects and Legacy

One important result of the uprising was the attention Governor Agnew received. He spoke out against local Black leaders. He said they did not do enough to help stop the unrest. These statements caught the eye of Richard Nixon. Nixon was looking for someone to join him in the 1968 election. He needed someone who could challenge George Wallace and his third party. Agnew became Nixon's running mate for Vice President in 1968.

The uprising mostly happened in the Black neighborhoods of East and West Baltimore. These areas saw a lot of property damage and items taken. Many of the damaged businesses were on the main streets. They were often owned by people of Jewish background.

Not much has been written about these events in the news or by experts. This is partly because the uprising remains a very emotional topic for those who lived through it.