History Commons^™

Race As A Motivating Factor In The Zoot Suit Riots, Lauren L. Gallow

Lauren L. Gallow

In cities across the United States, the 1940s were a decade of great changes and adjustments. After the country entered into World War II in 1941, major political and economic shifts redefined everyday life. Tensions ran high as Americans worked hard to defend their country and remain patriotic. Often, these tensions manifested into an intense dislike of anyone who appeared to be un-American, whether due to their actions or their ethnic background. In the western United States, this xenophobia was frequently directed at Mexican Americans, who had already been the target of much discrimination in the decades leading up to …