Primary Sources & DBQs
Sources with a red border may be difficult to view. Some of the materials relate to violent or graphic events. However, these materials are curated and included because of their historical significance. While some of the material is unsettling it is important to recognize that these are real events that occurred and affected real people, and they may help make sense of why our societies are the way they are.
After reading the historical context information and reflecting upon the timeline, complete the following DBQs.
Context: The first picture above was taken of downtown Tulsa in 1917. The second and third picture were taken in 1921.
Document Based Questions:
Compare and contrast the first picture with the second two.
What major event happened between the time of the first picture and second two? Refer back to the historical context section on the timeline if needed.
What emotions arise when analyzing the differences between the first picture and second two pictures?
With the knowledge that Tulsa was known as the "Black Wall Street," how do the images demonstrate the targeted attack of Black communities and wealth?
Context: This article was published one day after the Tulsa Race Massacre
*Martial law is the temporary rule by military authorities of a designated area in time of emergency when the civil authorities are deemed unable to function.
Document Based Questions
How many Black Americans were displaced immediately following the massacre?
What is martial law? What impact did martial law have on ending the massacre?
Who do you believe the martial law was intended for? Cite the article for your reasoning
Context: This map is of Tulsa in 1915, six years before the massacre . You may need to click on the source to be able to analyze it more closely.
Document Based Questions
What might the details on this map tell you about the different types of buildings that were on this section of Greenwood Avenue?
Identify the different businesses and other establishments on the street. How many can you find?
What do you think it was like to live on or visit this street, based on your map observations? What types of activities could you do here?
References
(1939) Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma. Sanborn Map Company, to 1939 Vol. 1, ; Republished 1939. [Map] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/sanborn07276_010/.
5000 Negro Refugees Guarded in Camp at County Fair Grounds. (1921, June 2). Tulsa Daily World.
Oklahoma State University-Tulsa. Library. Special Collections and Archives. (n.d.). Remnants of Greenwood Community buildings. Oklahoma State University Digital Collections. Retrieved from https://dc.library.okstate.edu/digital/collection/TulsaRR/id/310/rec/77.
Oklahoma State University-Tulsa. Library. Special Collections and Archives. (n.d.). Ruins of the Tulsa Race Massacre, 1921. Oklahoma State University Digital Collections. Retrieved from https://dc.library.okstate.edu/digital/collection/TulsaRR/id/385/rec/85.
Reeder, C. (n.d.). Ruins from the Tulsa Race Massacre, 1921. Oklahoma State University Digital Collections. Oklahoma State University-Tulsa. Library. Special Collections and Archives. Retrieved from https://dc.library.okstate.edu/digital/collection/TulsaRR/id/375/rec/81.