Question

The zoot suit riots in Los Angeles revealed which of the following? (5 points) Select one: a. the failure of the Congress of Racial Equality to achieve its goals b. the increased push for civil rights among minority groups in the United States c. the racial tension between Mexican Americans and mainstream society d. the West Coast citizens' disapproval of America's involvement in World War II

Answer 1

Answer: c. the racial tension between Mexican Americans and mainstream society.

The zoot suit riots of 1943 were a series of conflicts between European white Americans (particularly those in the military service) and predominantly Mexican youth. The trigger for these was the youth’s preference for “zoot suits.” This type of suits required a lot of fabric to be made, which was seen by the white Americans as unpatriotic, because of the rationing of fabric that was established during the war.

While this specific reason was the main trigger, the riots also showed the underlying racial tensions that were found in American societies, particularly in large cities. The riots also seemed to have been the inspiration for several similar events that year in Philadelphia, Oakland, Chicago, San Diego, Evansville and New York City.