1960s Flashcards
Describe freedom rides (6)
Although buses now had to be desegregated, the bus stations and railway stations were still segregated
Peaceful black pressure group, CORE organised freedom rides in which black protestors deliberately sat in the ‘white only’ sections if stations
Many riders attacked in ugly clashes with white racists
Federal gov not state gov was in charge of commerce between States so ordered the bus and railway stations to be desegregated
Describe sit ins (4)
CORE and the SNCC (student non violent coordinating committee) organised a series or sit ins at lunch counters throughout the south to get them desegregated
Describe the position of black Americans in the 1960s (4)
By early 60s, many black people became more politically aware, increasing no of white people began to support the call for equal civil rights for black people
Kennedy proposing laws to give black people greater rights and huge demonstrations took place to support him
Describe some freedom march on Birmingham (6)
1963: MLK led a march in Birmingham Alabama to end segregation as a year previous the council had closed all public recreational facilities to blacks
500 protesters arrested
Police commissioner Connor used water cannons, dogs and baton charges on the peaceful protestors
Protests televised and turned public opinion against racists like Connor
Describe the march on Washington (4)
1963 250000 people marched on the Lincoln Memorial in Washington (capital) to demand civil rights for all
MLK makes I have a dream speech: ‘they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character’
Describe the series of laws LBJ passed to make it clear the Jim Crow Laws were illegal (8)
1964 Civil Rights Act: banned segregation in public places eg bus stations
1965 Voting Rights Act: black peoples right to vote was protected
1968 Civil Rights Act: made it illegal to discriminate in jobs, housing etc
Since these laws were passed, black people have been legally equal to whites
1967: interracial marriage now legal
1968: the fair housing act claimed to get rid of discrimination in housing policy
Describe Martin Luther Kings contribution to the Civil Rights Movement (8)
Came to prominence when he helped lead the successful boycott of the Montgomery bus system in 1955 after rosa parks refused to give up seat
Believed in non violent, direct action, inspired but Gandhis methods
One of the leaders of the SCLC
Became the effective spokesperson of the peaceful Civil Rights protest
Arrested during Birmingham protests
In 1963 organised march on Washington and delivered I have a dream speech
Won Nobel peace prize in 1964
Assassinated in 1968
Describe the importance of MLK’s methods (6)
If used violence then white racists could say that black people were not civilised and didn’t deserve the same rights as white people
Made white racists who attacked the peaceful black protestors look worse
Had international support and was crucial in putting pressure on the US government to do something
Describe the black power movement (6)
Rejected peaceful protest
Many people felt that peaceful protest would get them nowhere
Not prepared to let white policemen or racists attack them and not do anything, prepared to use violence if used against them
Emphasised pride in being black (black is beautiful), the building of black institutions and ultimately a separate Black Country within the US
Supported in 1968 Olympics by two black athletes
Stokely Carmichael
Describe the race riots of the 1960s (4)
Following MLKs assassination
Also riots in LA, Detroit
Police very angry at black males
Diffused by the outbreak of Vietnam
Describe the contribution of Malcolm X (8)
Charismatic and influential
Originally a member of the Nation of Islam organisation, remained a Muslim but turned his attention from religion to getting more political power and better working/ living conditions for black people
More aggressive than MLK, use of any means necessary, the black community should educate, develop business and and segregate themselves
Appealed to the urban black people of the north and encouraged young black men to partake in communities projects and educational opportunities
Describe the James Meredith case (4)
1962
Kennedy sent troops to the Mississippi university James Meredith wanted to attend, there were riots and demonstrations
300 troops remained to finish a 3 year degree
Describe the black power movement’s contribution to the civil rights issue (6)
Strictly speaking the Black Power Movement was not after Civil rights from white Americans. They wanted to build up separate communities
However the successes achieved in the fight for civil rights can be as much attributed to people such as Malcolm X and Stokely Carmichael as MLK
Peaceful- how respectful black people were
Aggressive- black people won’t put up with it any longer and possible scared some white people/ politicians in to action
Describe the Black Panther movement (6)
Founded by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale
Influenced by Malcolm X
Fighting a class struggle not a race struggle
Prepared to work with white people
Prepared to use weapons and wore uniforms
Targeted by FBI
Describe the black power riots (6)
Mid 60s in Northern cities, about the hardships black people suffered such as slum housing in the northern ghettoes, unemployment, inferior education and police attitudes
Harlem, Detroit, LA
Most infamous: Watts, LA, 6 days of rioting, chanting ‘black power slogans’
LBJ looked at the causes, Kerner report 1968 stated that racism was deeply embedded in US society and Afro Americans faced poverty and ‘systematic police bias and brutality’
Diffused by Vietnam
