1886 was a tragic year in the history of racial violence in the United States, particularly against African Americans. The 74 reported lynchings of Black people that year highlight the systemic racial terrorism that was prevalent during the post-Reconstruction period. Lynching was used as a method of social control, often to intimidate African Americans and maintain the racial hierarchy that had been established during slavery. This violent practice was carried out by mobs and often went unpunished, contributing to an atmosphere of fear and injustice in many communities.

The years following the Civil War were marked by racial violence, with lynchings being just one form of widespread racial terror. The legacy of this violence still impacts the country today.