Final answer:
The Red Summer of 1919 was a period of intense racial violence and civil unrest in the United States, marked by numerous race riots. Black Americans actively defended their families and homes from white rioters, which shocked and galvanized both Black and white communities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Red Summer of 1919, also known as Summer 1919, was a period of intense racial violence and civil unrest in the United States. It was marked by numerous race riots in at least 25 cities, including Chicago and Washington, D.C. Black Americans, empowered by recent advancements in civil rights, actively defended their families and homes from hostile white rioters.
This behavior shocked white Americans and led to different interpretations. Some saw it as a desire for total revolution, while others saw it as a positive step towards Black civil rights. The Red Summer of 1919 forever altered American society and played a significant role in the ongoing struggle for racial equality.