Birmingham Campaign, 1963 Flashcards
What was the Birmingham Campaign?
The aim of Campaign C was to end segregation by provoking white violence to gain support for civil rights legislation. The ‘C’ stood for confrontation.
When did the Birmingham Campaign occur?
April and May, 1963
Where was the campaign held and due to the extreme violence what was the place nicknamed?
It took place in Birmingham, Alabama.
What was Birmingham nicknamed?
Birmingham was nicknamed ‘Bombingham’ because of its reputation for violence against African Americans. It was hoped the civil rights campaign would result in a reaction from the white community and gain media attention.
Why did the campaigners choose Birmingham for the campaign?
❖ It had not desegregated any facilities.
❖ Its police chief, Bull Connor, was also well known for using violence against African Americans. He had failed to stop the KKK attacking the Freedom Riders in 1961.
❖ Birmingham was nicknamed ‘Bombingham’ because of its reputation for violence against African Americans. It was hoped the civil rights campaign would result in a reaction from the white community and gain media attention.
Who was involved in the Birmingham campaign?
❖ The SNCC.
❖ The SCLC and Martin Luther King.
❖ The Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights (ACMHR).
What happened during the children’s crusade during the Birmingham campaign?
On 2nd May, the children marched during the Children’s Crusade; 956 of them were arrested and put in jail. On 3rd May, more children marched and the police used police dogs and fire hoses on them. Their actions were caught on camera and shown across the nation.
How was the Birmingham Campaign resolved?
President Kennedy intervened as rioting took place and sent federal troops to Birmingham on 12th May.
How did the media affect the Birmingham Campaign?
Over 200 journalists and photographers captured the police brutality. Media reports horrified the nation and the world, and people felt sympathy for the protesters.
What did the campaign lead to?
It created the momentum needed for the organisation of the March on Washington in August 1963.
