Question

primary source 4: restrictive covenants
racially restrictive covenants were contractual agreements among property owners used to keep chicagos neighborhoods white from 1916 until 1948. the chicago real estate board and homeowners signed legally binding covenants to prohibit african americans from using, occupying, buying, leasing, or receiving property on their city blocks or larger subdivisions.
mr. john f. wagner,
7253 emerald avenue
chicago, iii.
august 9th, 1929
dear mr. wagner,
we enclose to you herewith copy of the anti - colored restriction agreement, on the second page of which your property is described as parcel #20, together with notarization form, and we would request that you sign and execute this agreement and then return to us. this is the agreement originally drafted by the attorneys for the chicago real estate board and has for its purpose the restriction against the sale to, use and occupancy of colored people, which is based upon the decision of the supreme court of the united stated, and is legal, lawful and binding.
the entire auburn park district extending from 74th to 83rd street, and from state street on the east to racine avenue on the west is being covered by this restriction, and to date the property owners in your section have signed the restriction about 80%. you are among the very few in the district who have not yet signed and executed this restriction agreement, and as it has been generally accepted and signed by the vast majority of the property owners, we feel that you too should now gladly abide by the action of the majority by executing this agreement against the sale or renting of your property to colored.
the auburn park restriction association was organized by the local bankers, leading business men and property owners who felt that this movement was necessary in order to uphold property values. your cooperation is needed in order to complete this work. will you kindly sign this agreement, have your signature notarized on the form attached and return to us.
thank you in advance, we remain
very truly,
auburn park property restriction association, inc.
walter w. fulton

1. what opinions does the letter share about maintaining segregation in chicago, including the governments attitude towards segregation in housing?

Explanation:

The letter indicates that racially restrictive covenants were seen as a valid and legal way to maintain segregation in Chicago. It mentions that the agreement was "legal, lawful and binding" based on a Supreme Court decision, suggesting the government (through the Supreme Court) supported segregation in housing at that time. Property owners, organized in associations like the Auburn Park Restriction Association, believed such covenants were necessary to uphold property values. The majority of property owners in the Auburn Park District had signed the restrictive agreement, and the letter pressured Mr. Wagner to conform, showing a community - wide effort to enforce segregation.

Answer:

The letter shows that racially restrictive covenants were considered a legitimate and legal means (as per a Supreme Court - based decision) to maintain housing segregation in Chicago. The government (implied by the reference to the Supreme Court decision) was seen as supporting segregation in housing. Property owners, organized in groups, thought these covenants were essential for property values, and there was a community - wide push (with majority participation) to enforce segregation.