A 1908 race riot in which whites attacked African Americans and their property in the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln  caused more property damage than deaths or injuries.  It shocked white liberals into believing that the "southern" race problem was becoming a national one. Although the riot had localized causes it depended upon pent up anger, scapegoating African Americans, white community ties and white lower class resentment.  It made some white liberals question Booker T. Washington's accommodationism as the solution to racial problems. One such group eventually developed into the NAACP.

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