1919 was the year of racial violence in the United States after World War 1. African American experience in war was one of the catalyst of the violence. Demobilized black veterans did not tolerate racial discrimination anymore. The riots also resulted from competition for jobs and housing among white and black people. In many cities mobs used assaults, lynching and other to protect the white supremacy. African Americans gathered on the streets to form self-defense forces. Major episodes of ratial violence were in Chicago, Washington and Elaine, Arkansas.