50s Flashcards
NAACP
National association for the advancement of coloured people
Setup in 1909
They fought for civil rights through the courts
They helped black people who had been wrongly convicted
Main aim was to overturn separate but equal ruling
CORE
congress of racial equality
Setup 1942
Members used non violent techniques and trained local activists in these techniques
In early years of the organisation most members where middle class white .
Separate but equal
1896 the supreme court ruled segregation was allowed as long as the facilities where equal however black schools were often underfunded
Timeline of desegregation
1952 NAACP take school segregation to the courts claiming that segregation violated the 14 th amendment which included clauses on citizenship and equal protection
1954 may .the supreme court ruled that segregation did violate the amendment but did not give a time frame in which schools had to integrate students
1954 July. In the deep south many white citizens. councils were established to prevent integration and were prepared to be extremely violent
1955 may. A second court hearing stated that desegregation should occur at deliberate speed
1957 723 school districts had desegregated education
Brown Topeka 1954
NAACP take legal action against the Topeka board of education arguing that the separate but equal belief was unconstitutional . In the case Linda browns experiences of segregated schools primarily her walk to school was used against the defendants.
Short term significance of the Brown v Topeka case
The ruling overturned the plessy v Ferguson case that was responsible for segregating public facilities.
There was a huge backlash and Ku Klux Klan activity increased
Many southern states found ways of avoiding the ruling.
Long term significance of the Brown v Topeka case
Awareness of civil rights issues increased
The rulings were an inspiration for other desegregation campaigns
White Americans moved out of areas where Black Americans lived to avoid desegregation
Who where the little rock nine ?
A group of 25 students who were accepted to the little rock high school however due to intimidation only nine arrived to the school.
Events at little rock
1957
Brown case led to the school board agreeing that little rock would be desegregated on the 3rd of September (start of new term)
NAACP arranged that the students were to arrive the day after
The Governor sent 250 state troops to surround the school . He said he did this to ‘keep the peace ‘ however all he actually wanted to do was prevent them from entering
Elizabeth Eckford was unaware that she had to travel with the rest of the group . She was targeted by a mob and racially abused
District judges and lawyers used the courts to force the Governor to remove state troops .
On the 24 of September President Eisenhower sends in federal troops to ensure the students got to school safely
Presidential intervention
World wide media coverage of the events forced Eisenhower to intervene as America’s reputation was being damaged
Eisenhower wanted to improve black civil rights while avoiding potential violent unrest about racial integration in the deep south where the opposition was strongest
Significance of events at Little rock nine
Due to heavy media coverage more people world wide became aware of the issues in America
In retaliation many schools shutdown rather than desegregate
The first black student graduated from Little rock in 1958
However even 10 years after the event black students still suffered violent racial abuse
Long term causes of the bus boycott
The women’s political council focused mainly on bus segregation
The bus company was discriminating heavily against black passengers
Events for the bus boycott
5 December 1955 - civil rights activists in Montgomery meet to discuss a boycott of city buses . The Montgomery improvement association is formed and MLK is elected leader.
8 December- The MIA met with bus company officials who refused to change segregation on their buses . The MIA decide to continue the boycott until the bus company give in
The first car pools begin on the 12 th december . The MIA coordinate it all and help Black people get to school and jobs on time .
On the 30th January 1956 MLK house was bombed . He responded peacefully .
The peaceful protests were seen as effective because media publicity increased and boycott received more support
Reasons for the success of the bus boycott
Well organised - the MIA organised the bus pools and minimised the effects on those who were boycotting
Committed - the boycott continued despite violent threats . Some were beaten and others were sacked
Well publicised- the campaign was covered heavily by media helping supporters get organised and communicate with each other to lend support
The bus company was hurt financially - due to the loss of passengers the bus comapny had to give in or risk bankruptcy
Browder v Gayle
NAACP launch the case against bus segregation on the 1feb 1956 .
On the 5th June the supreme court state segregation on public transport as unconstitutional
On the 20th December the boycott was ended and desegregated bus services began a day later
