1966-74 Protests Flashcards
how did civil rights change from 1966
-not al Blacks agreed with methods such as peaceful protest and working with the government
-groups argued for Black Nationalism(living completely separately from other races
-felt violence could be justified to achieve quality
Nation of Islam features
-argued that racial integration would not bring equality as whites would always consider themselves superior
-believed Blacks should be segregated from whites but have the same standard of facilities
-collection of very small groups
-500 members in 1952->40k in 1962
Malcom X features at first
-critical of civil rights movement and MLK, believed in violence
-joined NOI whilst in prison, became a minister when he left
-won supporters because he understood social and financial problem faced by many blacks that civil rights movements failed to address
How did Malcom X’s views change later on
-left NOI after arguing with its leader who was jealous of his reputation and success
-religious views changed to more traditional Islam and went on a pilgrimage to Mecca, where he saw Muslims of all races treating each other equally
-set up Organisation of Afro-American Unity to promote close links with people in Africa
-said the organisation would work with other civil rights groups, even those with many white members
-assassinated by three NOI members while making a speech in New York
impact of Malcolm X
-ideas of black pride, violence in self-defence and rejection of civil rights movement inspired many other and lead to more radical groups
-highlighted huge economic and social problems facing many Blacks
March Against Fear
-Blacks still faced discrimination and violence after civil rights acts
-James Meredith led the march through Mississippi to show violence still faced by Blacks
-was shot on the second day of the march
-Stokely Carmichael and MLK took over the march
-MLK continued to highlight peaceful protest
-Carmichael was more militant and encourages people to demand ‘Black Power’
Stokely Carmichael
-Well known campaigner and leader for SNCC
-frustrated by slow progress brough by non-violent action
-started taking a more radical approach to improve lives of Blacks, rejected white help and encourage people to defend if attacked, influenced by Malcolm X
-white people were not welcome in SNCC anymore
-marked a turning point in civil rights movement
-one of the first people to use ‘Black Power’, and became popular, especially among young Blacks from poor community that wanted a radical approach for change
why did black power grow
-problems with other civil rights groups
-many Blacks were frustrated by slow progress from other approaches, law changes did not help discrimination
-black power expressed anger from Blacks about unemployment and worsening conditions in ghettos
-Change in the SNCC and the rise of Black power groups as well as events at 1968 Olympics gained publicity
-Black power groups encouraged people to be proud of the culture, which people found attractive
1968 olympics
-Blacks called for a boycott of the Olympics by black athletes, but most wanted to perform on a world stage
-Tommie Smith and John Carlos won gold and bronze in the 200 metre sprint
-During US national anthem, they gave the Black power salute of a clenched fist
-they also wore blacks socks without shoes to show poverty of blacks
-shouted at by Americans in the crowd as they left the stadium, criticised by the media and received death threats, banned from future Olympics
-protest inspired many young Blacks to join Black Power groups and brough worldwide attention to the movement
Impact of Black Power
-raised self confidence of Young Blacks
-inspired projects to improve living conditions
-increased awareness of problems Blacks faced
-influenced the campaigns and focus of civil rights movements after 1965
black panthers features
-set up by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale is California
-best known and most feared black power groups, nearly 2k members in 25 cities
-willing to work with white people that shared beliefs, had a ten point plan of what they wanted
-followed police officers to prevent Blacks abuse, thought of as more effective police than actual police in the ghettos, called ‘patrolling the pigs’
-frequent shoot-outs and violence, attracting negative publicity
-socialist beliefs, heavily watched by FBO
what did the black panthers improve in the ghettos
-organised medical clinics to give black people free healthcare
-ran breakfast clubs for black children to attend before school
-provided free shoes for poor black families
-ran classes on black history
-co-operated with black gangs to reduce violence
-money gained donations from black businesses or through theft
race riots features
-race riot in NY after civil rights act signing to show there was still unhappiness, laws did not bring equality
-329 major riots in 257 cities
->200 killed, thousands injured, tens of thousands arrested, damage worth billions
Watts district riot
-in LA, Marquette Frye arrested on suspicion of drink-driving by 2 police
-resisted arrest and rumours that police attacked his mother and pregnant girlfriend spread
-lead to violent protests
-14,000 California national Guard troops enforced curfew zone to try restore order
-after 6 days, 34 people died, >1,000 injured, nearly 4,000 arrested and hundreds of properties badly damaged
causes of the race riots
-discrimination despite signing of the civil rights act
-believed that it was the influence of black power, but the Kerner Report was set up to investigate the race riots and said:
-frustration and anger at the poor living conditions in the ghettos caused by segregation and discrimination
-failure of the police and city authorities to respond to reports
-unfair treatment and violence by police during the riots which marred the situation
-Kerner report recommended more social programmes, but Nixon did not do this
