1960s Civil Rights Flashcards
what were the sit ins
-5 black students sat at white only lunch counters in Greensboro, stayed when asked to leave
-named the Greensboro four
-returned the next day with more people, more and more came over time
-70k people took part in sit ins, spreading to northern states
what was the response to the sit ins
-physically attacks
-thousands were arrested, lead to ‘jail not bail’, leading to overcrowded jails
-protestors did not respond with violence
-tactics attracted media, support grew for their case
impacts of the sit ins
-successful
-businesses sold far fewer lunches and sold less goods in stores
-desegregated most facilities
-120 towns and facilities desegregated lunch counters
-shown to public and media, generating huge publicity and sympathy, Eisenhower said he was sympathetic to groups with these efforts
-started SNCC
-white protestors
freedom rides features
-CORE activists that went on interstate transport after the supreme court ruling to desegregate state transport
-wanted to prove the ruling were not always followed
-they aimed to provoke a violent reaction that would generate huge publicity and force federal government to act
-first bus arrived in Anniston but stations closed in fear of trouble. Riders met with angry crowd of KKK led by William Chappell
-bus was attacked, police arrived and cleared path for bus to leave
-2nd bus attacked in Anniston, passengers dragged off and beaten up, but went on to complete journey. Beat up again in Montgomery by Klansmen
-Police chief Bull Connor ordered police to do nothing
-CORE arranged more freedom riders and SNCC became involved as well
-riders arrested for starting a riot
-300 riders jailed
impacts of freedom riders
-riders achieved huge media attention
-president Kennedy threatened to send/ US marshals to desegregate interstate buses and bus station facilities if states did not obey
-buses eventually integrated
Meredith case features
-Black James Meredith applied to Mississippi Uni, rejected due to race
-NAACP took case to court, supreme court ordered Uni to admit him, Uni still rejected
-With governors help, state legislature passed law to deny admission to people who had convicted a felony (Meredith was convicted of false voter registration)
-president ordered laws to desist
-riots on Uni campus as white opposed Meredith
-President Kennedy sent Federal officials to escort Meredith
-Officials attacks, riot followed
-2 civilians died, 300 people injured
-eventually admitted, and guarded by 300 state troops until he graduated
Meredith case impacts
-forced president to act
-showed present would take direct action to enforce supreme court rulings
-black rarely stopped from attending integrated Unis by state or uni authorities, although difficult
MLK background
-middle class family
-father was a minister
-studied at Boston university, gaining doctorate
-became known due to MBB
qualities of MLK to gain widespread support
-well educated, well-spoken and passionate speaker
-emphasised non violence
-worked with all races
-many Americans had a strong Christian faith, his messages emphasised Christian values
-respected US government and Constitution
MLK’s methods of protest
-non violent
-speeches to win support (including whites)
-direct action
-protests to spark violent response to gain publicity (lived in fear, was arrested and imprisoned many times)
how did MLK change after 1965
-tried tackling discrimination in the North
-disappointed with methods he used to win legal reforms which failed to make progress in ending discrimination
-views became more socialist, losing him supporters
-started to tackle poverty, unemployment and housing shortages as a result
-assassinated in 1968 in Memphis, while supporting a worker’s strike
Birmingham peace marches features
-Campaign led by SNCC, SCLC and ACMHR, named Project C
-campaigners aimed to end segregation in Birmingham using sit-ins, boycotts and marches
-Birmingham had not desegregated at all
-45% of city’s inhabitants were Black, potential for large numbers
-Birmingham had an active KKK, Blacks often attacked and home bombed
-most protestors arrested after a few weeks, including MLK
-children’s march took place after, treated badly; 1,000 arrested
-in 2nd children march, Bull Connor set dogs and used powerful hoses on protestors as jails were full
-publicity achieved, shown throughout the world
-Kennedy sent negotiator to Birmingham to talk to mayor and protest leaders, state troops sent in by governor to disrupt talks
-stirred up violence, Blacks did not respond with violence until extreme violence on them led to serious black riots
-Kennedy called Federal troops to restore calm
Birmingham impact
-white businesses preferred concessions than losing money, mayor agreed to desegregation
-shops and lunch counters in Birmingham desegregated, Blacks allowed to apply for white only jobs
-many facilities still segregated and violence against Blacks continued
-led to similar protests across USA and more cities desegregated facilities
-President feared future rioting if nothing was done, so civil rights bill they were working on became more important
Washington march features
-protestors wanted to show support for new bill being passes
-would force congress and president to pass bill
-1,000 extra police and 2,000 members of national guards brought in fear of violence
-250k people took part in march for jobs and freedom
-march was peaceful, marched through the city to Lincoln Memorial, where national anthem was sung followed by prayers, musical performances and speeches, events broadcasted to the world live
Dream speech
-MLK delivered one of the best, most famous speeches during the Washington march
-referenced US Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Abraham Lincoln, Bible, hymns and sermons and the American Dream
-emphasised MLK as main leader of civil rights movement
-won Nobel Peace Prize
