Africans Americans and Civil Rights 1945 - 1955 Flashcards
What progress had African Americans made by 1945 in employment and the armed forces?
By 1945, African Americans had made progress in employment and the armed forces, though discrimination and segregation remained entrenched in the Southern states.
How did the migration of African Americans to Northern cities impact racial tension?
The migration of many African Americans to Northern industrial cities created greater racial tension, although it also offered better employment opportunities and increased political and social influence.
How did the Second World War contribute to the civil rights movement?
The Second World War stimulated the civil rights movement by raising African American expectations for equality, as many who fought abroad for freedom returned demanding similar rights at home. The war also led to the Second Great Migration, which concentrated African American communities and increased their political influence.
How did the membership of the NAACP change between 1940 and 1945?
The NAACP’s membership rose from 50,000 in 1940 to 450,000 by 1945, with many new members being urban workers who could afford subscriptions.
What role did the NAACP play in the civil rights movement after WWII?
The NAACP raised awareness of civil rights issues both within the African American community and the white community, and helped encourage activism.
Who founded the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and when?
The Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) was founded in 1942 by civil rights activist James Farmer.
How did the USA’s involvement in WWII affect its stance on racial inequality?
The USA’s fight against Nazi Germany, the most racist regime of modern times, and its support for decolonisation made racial inequality a point of vulnerability for the country, as it contradicted the values of freedom and equality the U.S. promoted.
How did A. Philip Randolph use the international context to push for civil rights reforms?
A. Philip Randolph leveraged the USA’s involvement in WWII and the global push for racial equality to push for reforms like the desegregation of the armed forces, which Truman eventually implemented in 1948.
What was Truman’s contribution to civil rights during his presidency?
Truman set up the President’s Committee on Civil Rights in 1946 and signed Executive Orders desegregating the armed forces and federal employment. He also pushed for federal legislation to prevent lynching and abolish poll taxes.
What was the reaction to Truman’s civil rights measures in Congress?
A coalition of Southern Democrats and Republicans blocked civil rights measures in the Senate, citing states’ rights and anti-communism as justifications to maintain segregation and white supremacy.
What was Executive Order 9981?
Executive Order 9981, signed by Truman in July 1948, mandated the desegregation of the armed forces, ensuring equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the military.
How did Eisenhower’s presidency impact civil rights?
Eisenhower was less committed to desegregation but upheld federal authority in civil rights matters, responding to the Little Rock Crisis in 1957 and signing the Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1960, which aimed to strengthen voting rights.
How did Eisenhower contribute to desegregation in Washington D.C.?
Eisenhower facilitated desegregation in Washington D.C. by passing Executive Orders to desegregate government-run shipyards, veterans hospitals, and schools.
What was Eisenhower’s stance on the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision?
Eisenhower was reluctant to fully endorse the Brown decision and did not provide overt support, which led to significant opposition to school desegregation.
What was the Brown v. Board of Education case about?
Brown v. Board of Education challenged racial segregation in public schools. It consolidated five cases, with the main plaintiff being Reverend Oliver Brown, whose daughter Linda was forced to attend a distant, segregated school instead of a nearby white school.
What was the significance of the Brown v. Board of Education ruling in 1954?
The Supreme Court’s unanimous decision declared that “separate but equal” has no place in public education, stating that segregated schools were inherently unequal and violated the Constitution.
What did Chief Justice Earl Warren state about school segregation in the Brown ruling?
Warren stated that segregation “generates a feeling of inferiority” in students, affecting their status in the community in ways that may never be undone.
How did Southern states react to the Brown v. Board decision?
Many Southern states resisted the Brown decision, with some adopting policies like the “Southern Manifesto” and “massive resistance” to desegregation, often through legal and political means.
What were the challenges in implementing the Brown decision?
The Supreme Court’s decision lacked clear directives for implementation, leading to varied interpretations and resistance. By 1956-57, only some schools were desegregated, while others remained segregated, especially in Southern states.
How did the Brown ruling impact civil rights movements beyond education?
The Brown decision became a precedent used by the Supreme Court in later cases to declare other forms of public segregation unconstitutional, such as at municipal golf courses and public beaches. It also spurred a nationwide surge in rights consciousness.
What did historian James T. Patterson say about the impact of Brown v. Board of Education?
Patterson argued that Brown was pivotal in establishing a constitutional precedent against state-mandated segregation and stimulated movements for civil rights, leading to a surge in rights consciousness across the United States.
