Let’s take you to the part of the history books they don’t want you to see. To the chapters your teachers likely skipped over. Events in American history that are obscure but still tragic nonetheless. Here are 10 shameful events we try to forget. Follow me as I guide you with my moral compass. Be warned that this part of history can be gruesome.
The California Genocide
Most Americans are familiar with our country’s horrific treatment of indigenous people. But the California Genocide? Not so familiar. During the 19th century, thousands of migrants moved to California during the Gold Rush. At one point, an estimated 150,000 indigenous people lived on the land. By 1900, an estimated 15,000 remained, a devastating reduction due to violence, disease, and displacement. Settlers and the government carried out a mass extermination, a disturbing piece of history that grade school teachers tend to gloss over.
The Wilmington Coup of 1898
In some history books, January 6 is portrayed as a failed coup. Few people are aware that it wasn’t the first coup in American history. In 1898, white supremacists gathered in Wilmington, North Carolina and pushed for the removal of elected officials. A riot broke out and resulted in around 60 deaths, all of whom were Black. The mayor and other elected officials, both White and Black, resigned, and a new cabinet was installed.
The Red Summer of 1919
Here is another tragedy brought on by race relations. In the summer of 1919, riots broke out in more than three dozen cities across America. White supremacists killed and injured hundreds of African Americans in cities like Washington, D.C. and Chicago. Many teachers might skip over the bloodshed that led to the Civil Rights Movement. However, history shouldn’t be erased, no matter how much shame it brings.
The Ludlow Massacre
In 1914, Colorado coal miners were dissatisfied with their low wages and hazardous working conditions, and approximately 10,000 workers went on strike. Tensions between the mining company, the strikers, anti-strikers, and the National Guard burst when someone opened fire on the workers’ tent colony. Over 20 people, including women and children, were killed. Working conditions in America would eventually improve, but not without more labor strikes.
The Chinese Exclusion Act and Anti-Chinese Violence
Frustration reached a breaking point when Congress signed the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, banning Chinese laborers from entering the country for ten years. American workers in the rapidly industrializing West blamed the Chinese for job losses and poor wages. An anti-Chinese sentiment swept the nation, and the following “Driving Out” era saw widespread violence and harassment of Chinese communities, resulting in the Red Springs and Hells Canyon massacres. After China became an ally during World War II, the act was repealed. It’s a stark reminder of what xenophobia and discrimination can lead to.
The Tuskegee Syphilis Study
The Tuskegee Syphilis Study was an experiment conducted by the U.S. Public Health Service during the mid-1900s. The study followed the progression of syphilis in 400 Black men. Sadly, it was non-therapeutic, and the men were denied treatment even when it was available. Participants also did not give consent. About half of the men died during this unethical study, many from untreated syphilis. The disease spread to women and children. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study is a lesser-known sore spot in American history, but it did lead to stricter regulations on research studies.
The Goliad Massacre
The Goliad Massacre was an execution during the Texas Revolution in 1836. Over 400 Texas Army prisoners were killed by the Mexican Army. Texas soldiers had surrendered, hoping for their lives to be spared. Interestingly, 28 men faked their deaths and managed to escape. The specifics of the Goliad Massacre are somewhat obscure in the context of the Texas Revolution.
The New York Doctors’ Riot
I guess you can’t expect students to behave. The New York Doctors’ Riot occurred in 1788 after a medical student waved a severed arm out of a hospital window. A mob formed outside, and, fueled by rumors that the bodies of deceased individuals were being dissected, stormed the building. During the scuffle, around 20 people died. The New York Doctors’ Riot is a hidden part of American history, even though it did provoke stricter regulations on the use of human remains.
The Mountain Meadows Massacre
In 1857, the Bancher-Fancher wagon train was camped at Mountain Meadow. Approximately 120 members from Arkansas were heading west. Fear and war mongering among the Utah Territorial Militia, many of whom were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sparked the attack on the convoy in the meadow. The militia also had the support of Southern Paiute Native Americans. Together, the militia killed members of the Bancher-Fancher group, sparing a few children. Few people learn about the Mountain Meadows Massacre, which occurred during the Mormon Reformation.
Operation Wetback
Operation Wetback (which is a slur) was a campaign carried out by the Eisenhower administration. The plan involved a mass deportation of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans. Estimates range from thousands to a million people who were deported. Law enforcement used military-style tactics. The victims were taken from their homes and forced onto buses and planes, which dropped them off on unfamiliar Mexican soil. Echoes of such policies can still be felt in today’s discussions about immigration.
