Tappan Riot (1834)

Mon Jul 07, 1834

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On this day in 1834, New York City was rocked by a huge anti-abolitionist riot (known as the Farren or Tappan Riot) that lasted for nearly a week until it was put down by military occupation.

The riot arose from tensions in the city as abolitionists became more politically active, black people demanded more dignity and freedom for themselves, and the city experienced a large immigration of Irish people.

White mobs, thousands strong, destroyed the homes and churches of black people and white abolitionists. At times, the rioters controlled whole sections of the city. The uprising was forcibly put down by the New York National Guard.