400 ChApTEr 17 | ChaLLenGes to the statUs QUo | period seven 1890 –1945causing concern to others—that newspapers were snatched up eagerly on down-
town street corners the other day when newsboys handling late afternoon and
morning “bulldog” editions shouted:
“No more zoot suits!”
“Navy bans Los Angeles!”“Out of Bounds”
These headlines referred to the action of Rear Admiral David W. Bagley, com-
mandant of the Eleventh Naval District, in placing this city under “temporar-
ily restricted liberty for naval personnel.” This means that only in special cases
could sailors be at large in the city.
This greatly reduced, if it failed to stop altogether, clashes between small bands
of zoot-suit wearers, chiefly of Mexican descent, and groups of Navy seamen out to
retaliate for attacks on lone sailors or their girls by the pork-pie-hatted hoodlums.Lawrence E. Davies, “Zoot Suits Become Issue on Coast,” New York Times, June 13, 1943, E10. ©
1943 The New York Times. All rights reserved. Used by permission and protected by the Copyright
Laws of the United States. The printing, copying, redistribution, or retransmission of this Content
without express written permission is prohibited.Library of Congressprints andphotographs Division, Fsa/oWi Collection,LC-UsF34-011543-D.prACTICINg historical Thinking
Identify: Above is an image of two young men in zoot suits. Describe how they
are dressed. According to this article, why were the men who wore zoot suits
considered a threat?
Analyze: How does this conflict illustrate ethnic tensions in the United States during
the Second World War?
Evaluate: Where else in this chapter—or others—does appearance take on a political
aspect? How does this costume criticize American values of its era?TopIC II | Challenges to Civil Liberties 40118_STA_2012_ch17_381-404.indd 400 01/04/15 4:17 PM