1.1 Black Americans In The Early 1950s Flashcards
What is the 14th amendment?
After the civil war in 1865, the 14th amendment granted all citzens their rights , even slaves . It basically ended slavery.
What are Jim crow laws?
Laws in southern states engaged segregation of the races
When was plessy vs ferguson?
1896
What was plessy vs ferguson?
Homer plessy challenged segregation , saying it was against the 14th amendment . Supreme court ruled against him saying segregation was ‘separate but equal’ . Started legal segregation,which took years to abolish.
What was employment like in the 1950s for black Americans?
In the south some jobs were not open to blacks and in the both he south and the north they had the worst paying jobs.
What was housing like for black Americans in the 1950s?
Lived in ghettos
What was education like for black Americans in 1950s?
Schools had very little funding and they were in small poorly made buildings .
What were public facilities like for blacks in the 1950s?
No segregation in north but still social segregation . Full segregation in south.
Did blacks have the right to vote in the 1950s?
Very hard to vote , but was technically legal
What were white southerners attitudes to blacks in the 1950s?
- white southerners saw blacks as inferior
- social and legal segregation
- powerful white people abused black people
What was the situation with police , judges and courts?
- many were members of kkk
- difficult to fight injustice
- police brutality prominent
- unfair sentencing
Who were the KKK?
A racist group who persecuted jews , catholics ,communists and anyone who is not white
- blew up homes
- murdered and lynched people
- 4 million members at the time.
- put up burning crosses out side homes
What is segregation?
Separating groups of people usually by race or religion
What is discrimination?
Treating people unfairly because of their race or religion
Why voting is important?
- forces politicians to create policies for blacks
How many black Americans were registered to vote in the 1950s?
20% in the south
Why black Americans found it difficult to vote ?
There were impossible literacy tests
How many blacks could vote before ww2?
3%
How racists in south stopped blacks from voting?
- black were beaten and murdered if tried to fight segregation
- gangs attacked outside voting booths
- threatened black employees if they registered
How the cold war helped the growth of the civil rights movement?
Made us sensitive to criticism as sas used for propaganda against the us
How changes in southern cities helped the growth of the civil rights movement?
New industries grew giving opportunities to blacks
Why new ideas helped the growth of the civil rights movement?
- research suggested race did not make you superior
- blacks segregated felt inferior
How migration helped the growth of the civil rights movement?
Poor blacks moved north and liberal whites moved south , diversifying
How education help the progression of the civil rights movement?
Better education for black Americans especially in the north, more black professionals
How ww2 helped the growth of the civil rights movement ?
Integrated army so gained respect from whites
How the television helped the civil rights movement ?
Gave opportunities to show the unfairness and racial injustice
When was the NAACP set up ?
1909
What was the NAACP
A group that focused on fighting civil rights in the court, through the legal system. They wanted to stop wrongful convictions of black men and prosecuted white men who committed crimes against black men.
What did the NAACP create in 1940?
A legal defence fund to campaign for integration and overthrow plessy vs ferguson
When was CORE set up?
1942
What does NAACP stand for ?
National association for the advanced for the coloured people
What does CORE stand for ?
Congress of racial equality
Who were CORE?
Smaller group in the north , majority were white and middle class . They wanted tactics that were non violent direct protests , including boycotts, pickets and sit ins. Wanted segregation abolished and trained protesters not to react
Why churches organisations were important?
Were centre of black community and the black clergy were leaders and organisers.
Why church leaders fought for civil rights ?
- paid by church , so they could not lose their jobs
- educated and effective speakers
- could negotiate with whites
- used as meeting points
