Watts riots facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Watts riots |
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| Part of the Civil Rights Movement and Ghetto riots |
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Burning buildings during the riots
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| Date | August 11–16, 1965 |
| Location | |
| Goals | To end mistreatment by the police and to end discrimination in housing, employment, and schooling systems |
| Methods | Widespread rioting, looting, assault, arson, protests, firefights, and property damage |
| Casualties | |
| Death(s) | 34 |
| Injuries | 1,032 |
| Arrested | 3,438 |
The Watts riots, also known as the Watts Rebellion or Watts Uprising, happened in the Watts area of Los Angeles and nearby places. This major event took place from August 11 to August 16, 1965.
Contents
What Caused the Watts Riots?
The Watts riots started because of a simple traffic stop that quickly grew into something much bigger. People in the community were already feeling upset about how they were treated by the police and about unfairness in their lives.
The Traffic Stop Incident
On August 11, 1965, a 21-year-old African-American man named Marquette Frye was stopped by police. Officers believed he was driving unsafely. When they tried to arrest him, Marquette resisted. His mother, Rena Frye, also got involved. A physical struggle happened, and Marquette was hit by an officer.
How Rumors Spread
A crowd of people gathered to watch the incident. Soon, rumors started spreading that the police had hurt a pregnant woman who was there. These rumors made the crowd even more upset.
Why Were People So Upset?
The Watts riots were not just about one traffic stop. They were fueled by many years of frustration and anger among the African-American community in Watts. People felt that the police often treated them unfairly. They also faced discrimination in many parts of their lives.
Problems in the Community
Many residents in Watts faced challenges like:
- Not being able to find good jobs.
- Difficulty finding fair housing.
- Schools that did not have enough resources.
- Feeling like they were not treated equally by the law.
These long-standing problems created a lot of tension. The incident with Marquette Frye became the spark that set off the larger unrest.
What Happened During the Riots?
After the initial incident, six days of major civil unrest followed. People protested, and the situation became very serious.
Protests and Property Damage
During the riots, there was widespread damage to property. Many buildings were set on fire, and stores were broken into. People were very angry and showed their frustration through these actions.
How the Riots Were Stopped
To try and stop the unrest, nearly 14,000 members of the California Army National Guard were called in. They worked to bring the situation under control.
The Impact of the Riots
The Watts riots had a significant impact.
- 34 people lost their lives.
- Over 1,000 people were injured.
- More than 3,400 people were arrested.
- The damage to property was estimated to be over $40 million.
The Watts riots were the worst unrest in Los Angeles until the Rodney King riots happened in 1992.
What Was the Outcome?
The Watts riots brought a lot of attention to the problems faced by the African-American community in Los Angeles. While the riots caused much destruction, they also highlighted the need for change.
Goals of the Protests
The people involved in the protests wanted to achieve several important goals:
- They wanted an end to mistreatment by the police.
- They sought to end discrimination in housing.
- They wanted fair opportunities in employment.
- They hoped for better and more equal schooling systems.
The Watts riots are an important part of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. They showed the deep-seated issues of inequality and injustice that many communities faced.
Images for kids
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Burning buildings during the riots
