African Americans Overview Flashcards
Key legislation in the Reconstruction Era (1865–1877)
13th Amendment (abolished slavery), 14th Amendment (citizenship rights), 15th Amendment (voting rights for African American men).
Key events in the Reconstruction Era (1965-1877)
Freedmen’s Bureau established; Black Codes enacted in Southern states.
Key challenges in the Reconstruction Era (1965-1877)
Rise of white supremacist groups like the Ku Klux Klan; resistance to Reconstruction policies.
Significance of the Reconstruction Era (1965-1877)
Initial progress undermined by lack of federal enforcement and Southern backlash.
Key Developments in the Jim Crow Era (1877-1890s)
Introduction of segregation laws; Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) upholds “separate but equal” doctrine.
Challenges in the Jim Crow Era
Literacy tests, poll taxes, and grandfather clauses restrict African American voting.
Resistance in the Jim Crow Era
Formation of the NAACP (1909); legal challenges to segregation and discrimination.
Significance of the Jim Crow Era
Systematic marginalization of African Americans; growing activism for equality.
World War I and II Impact (1917–1945)
World War I: Great Migration of African Americans to Northern cities for industrial jobs.
World War II: Increased awareness of racial injustices due to fighting for democracy abroad.
Double V Campaign: Push for victory against fascism abroad and racism at home.
Significance: Foundations for the modern civil rights movement.
Key figures in the Civil Rights Movement (1950s-1960s0
Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Rosa Parks.
Key events in the civil rights movement
Brown v. Board of Education (1954), Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955–1956), March on Washington (1963).
Key methods of the Civil Rights Movement
Nonviolent protests, legal challenges, grassroots organizing.
Key legislation in the Civil Rights Act
Civil Rights Act (1964), Voting Rights Act (1965).
Significance of the Civil Rights Movement
Landmark victories in dismantling legal segregation and expanding voting rights.
Key movements of Black Power and Urban Issues (1960s–1980s)
Black Panther Party; emphasis on self-determination, economic empowerment.
Key figures of Black Power 1960s-1980s
Stokely Carmichael, Huey Newton, Bobby Seale.
Challenges of Black Power movement
Urban riots, economic inequality, police brutality.
Significance of the Black Power movement
Broader focus on systemic inequality; divisions within the civil rights movement.
Key developments in the post civil rights era (1970s-1992)
Affirmative action policies; legal battles over busing and desegregation.
Key figures in the post civil rights era (1970s-1992)
Jesse Jackson and the Rainbow Coalition
Challenges in the post civil rights era (1970s-1992)
Rise of conservatism; backlash against affirmative action.
Significance of the post civil rights era (1970s-1992)
Ongoing struggle for equality amidst political and social changes.
Themes across periods for African Americans
1.Role of federal government in enforcing civil rights.
2.Importance of grassroots activism.
3.Evolution of methods: from legal challenges to mass protests and beyond.
- Intersection of race with economic and social issues.
What was the significance of the Great Migration?
The Great Migration saw African Americans move from the South to Northern cities, seeking better economic opportunities and escaping racial violence. It reshaped demographics and laid the groundwork for urban civil rights movements.
Compare the approaches of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X
Martin Luther King Jr. advocated for nonviolent resistance and integration, focusing on moral and legal arguments for equality. Malcolm X emphasized black nationalism, self-defense, and economic empowerment, often critiquing systemic oppression more directly.
What were the successes and limitations of the Civil Rights Act (1964) and Voting Rights Act (1965)?
The Civil Rights Act ended legal segregation and prohibited discrimination in public places and employment. The Voting Rights Act addressed voting barriers like literacy tests. However, both faced resistance in enforcement and didn’t fully address economic inequalities.
How did the Black Power movement differ from earlier civil rights efforts?
Black Power emphasized self-determination, economic independence, and pride in African heritage. It often rejected integration in favor of autonomy and was more confrontational than earlier nonviolent approaches.
