Final answer:
The New Orleans Race Riot of 1866 was fueled by economic hardships post-Civil War, pervasive racism, social and political changes, and a lack of support for African Americans in rebuilding their lives. A peaceful procession of blacks was violently disrupted, leading to numerous deaths and injuries. This unrest reflected the widespread discord in Southern cities after the war.
Step-by-step explanation:
The race riot of 1866 in New Orleans was a product of various contributing factors including a battered economy post-Civil War, racism, subsequent social and political changes, and the struggle for African Americans to rebuild their lives with inadequate governmental support. The plight was not just economic but was also marked by the denial of civil rights and political participation for the former slaves. This riot occurred when a peaceful procession of blacks was fired upon, leading to significant casualties.
Ironically, while the Civil War was fought over the emancipation of slaves, its aftermath saw conditions that evidently did not support the newly freed individuals. The policies of the Confederate government during the war had already strained the economy, and as the transition into peacetime took effect, the socioeconomic conditions failed to improve adequately, especially for African Americans. Moreover, the fear among Whites regarding the social changes that emancipation would bring added to the racial tensions, often leading to violence.
It was in this turbulent environment that the New Orleans riot occurred, reflecting the broader spectrum of unrest throughout Southern cities, and it was part of the general upheaval in the post-war South that discouraged racial harmony and promoted segregation and inequality.