Which event was characterized by racially-motivated attacks in Los Angeles during World War II?

The Zoot Suit Riots were a significant series of racially-motivated attacks that took place in Los Angeles in June 1943 during World War II. These riots primarily involved clashes between white servicemen and young Latino men, who were often identified by their distinctive zoot suits, a style of clothing that was seen as unpatriotic amidst the war effort due to its extravagant use of fabric. The tensions escalated as servicemen, fueled by racism and the perception that zoot suiters were un-American, began targeting these youths, resulting in widespread violence.

The riots highlighted not just racial discrimination but also the cultural conflicts of the era, as many in the Latino community felt the attacks were indicative of larger societal injustices. The Zoot Suit Riots served as a pivotal moment in the civil rights struggles that followed, influencing how racial issues would be addressed in California and across the United States in the subsequent decades.

In contrast, the other events listed do not involve racially-motivated attacks in the same way. The Modoc War was a conflict between Native Americans and the U.S. Army in the 1870s, the Dust Bowl refers to agricultural and environmental disaster in the 1930s affecting many states