Continued from Feb. 1st.
You could call this the planned riot.
A huge crowd gathered, and Mayor Levi Boone (related to Daniel Boone), ordered police to clear them out of the courthouse area and nine were arrested. An armed gang from the North Side German community (probably Cub fans) decided to rescue the prisoners.
Mayor Boone held them off, partly by keeping the Clark Street drawbridge raised until he was able to assemble 200 police. He then had the bridge lowered and the mob surged forward. Shooting began and militia joined in with the mayor. The riot ended in a matter of minutes.
However, even losing this fight, the action mobilized Chicago's immigrant vote. In the March 1856, a heavy German and Irish voter turnout defeated the Nativists and the $50 liquor license immediately restored.
Chicago ever after has had a new political makeup and elections are no longer ignored. Hey, there's quite a one going on right now. Of course, in Chicago, it's the Democratic primary which is the big election. Whoever wins that will be the next mayor. Republicans or any other party has no chance.
Giving New Credence to Beer Wars. --DaCoot
Showing posts with label Chicago Lager Beer Riot. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chicago Lager Beer Riot. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Chicago's Lager Beer Riot-- Part 1
From the Encyclopedia of Chicago.
This little-known part of Chicago's history is regarded as the city's first civil disturbance and marked the beginning of political partisanship in city elections.
On March 6, 1855, a "Law and Order" coalition swept city elections. New Mayor Levi Boone (related to Daniel Boone) and the anti-immigrant, anti-Catholic, Nativists (Know-Nothing Party) immediately hiked liquor licenses to $300 and shortened the term of licenses from one year to three months. Expecting resistance to the move, they tripled the size of the police force, requiring members to wear uniforms for the first time.
They also enforced the ordinance requiring closure of taverns on Sunday. These moves were specifically to provoke German and Irish residents (now, there's a big surprise).
It worked. Germans organized to resist the license hikes and raised funds to pay fines for non-compliance with Sunday closings.
City courts were clogged with violators and a test case scheduled for April 21st, thereby setting a date for the anticipated riot.
What D'ya Mean No Drinking on Sunday??!! --Cooter
This little-known part of Chicago's history is regarded as the city's first civil disturbance and marked the beginning of political partisanship in city elections.
On March 6, 1855, a "Law and Order" coalition swept city elections. New Mayor Levi Boone (related to Daniel Boone) and the anti-immigrant, anti-Catholic, Nativists (Know-Nothing Party) immediately hiked liquor licenses to $300 and shortened the term of licenses from one year to three months. Expecting resistance to the move, they tripled the size of the police force, requiring members to wear uniforms for the first time.
They also enforced the ordinance requiring closure of taverns on Sunday. These moves were specifically to provoke German and Irish residents (now, there's a big surprise).
It worked. Germans organized to resist the license hikes and raised funds to pay fines for non-compliance with Sunday closings.
City courts were clogged with violators and a test case scheduled for April 21st, thereby setting a date for the anticipated riot.
What D'ya Mean No Drinking on Sunday??!! --Cooter
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