Rage in the Streets: A History of American Riots (Jules Archer History for Young Readers)

A young readers’ guide to the history and causes of mob violence in America from the Boston Massacre to the LA riots. Why do people riot? From the Boston Massacre in 1770 to the Los Angeles riots of 1992, mob violence in the United States is often sparked by unjust court decisions, unfair taxes, unpopular wars, the fear of unemployment, and racial and ethnic prejudice. But there are also seemingly senseless riots over wild concerts and sports championships. What causes a peacefully assembled crowd to turn into a mindless, violent mob? What causes a police force or militia to lose control? In this timely, comprehensive overview, Jules Archer describes and explains the causes of mob violence in the United States and suggests that unless we make some basic changes in the nature of our society, the despair and rage that ignite mob violence may always be with us. Praise for Rage in the Streets “A subject not routinely covered in books for young people receives some timely, close-up attention by a respected chronicler of modern history and politics.” —Booklist “Clear, concise, and will hold readers’ interest. In addition, it will be a valuable supplement to history and sociology curriculums.” —School Library Journal "From the Boston Massacre in 1770 to the Los Angeles riots of 1992, mob violence in the United States is often sparked by unjust court decisions, unfair taxes, unpopular wars, the fear of unemployment, and racial and ethnic prejudice. But there are also seemingly senseless riots over wild concerts or sports championships. What causes a peacefully assembled crowd to turn into a mindless, violent mob? What causes a police force or militia to lose control?--page 4 of cover A history of mob violence in the United States, from the time of the American Revolution to the riots in Los Angeles in 1992