Black Americans In The Early 1950's Flashcards
What was the significance of the Plessy vs Ferguson case?
Because of this case, the supreme court settled the question that states could racially segragate people. This was passed as it was said people could be segregated only if the facilities were deemed equal. This allowed segregation for decades until it was overturned in 1954.
What did the Jim crow laws do (in the south)?
These laws mandated racial segregation in public facilities, transportations and other areas. This was done to enforce racial segregation and discrimination.
How were black Americans discriminated against in the 1950’s in the south and north?
North:
• Blacks had the worst jobs
• Lived in poorest parts of towns and cities called ‘ghettos’
• Schools and hospitals in black areas were old, run- down
South:
• State Laws (Jim Crow laws) enforced segregation
• Separate restaurants, cinemas, schools
• Buses were segregated
• Facilities in black schools were much worse as they had less money spent on them
Why did the Civil roghts movement grow in the 1950’s?
Education: better education for Black Americans led to more black professionals
New ideas: research proved that Black were not ‘inferior’
More migration: poor blacks moved north, liberal whites moved south
Growth of cities: more opportunities for black people in industry
Television: people across the country more aware of racial injustice
The Cold War: USSR used treatment of blacks in USA as propaganda. USA were more sensitive to international criticism
Impact of Second World War – blacks pushed for Civil Rights after seeing integration abroad. Some whites changed views during the war
What was the NAACP and what did they do?
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People set up in 1909.
- Set up legal defence fund in 1940.
- Campaigned for integration, to overthrow Plessy v Fergsuon
- Focused on fighting for civil rights in the courts
- Provided evidence that facilities were not equal, and focused on school segregation
What was the CORE and what did they do?
- Set up 1942
- Targeted segregation
- Many white members, used non-violent direct action protests such as sit-ins, boycotts etc.
- Trained not to react even in the face of extreme intimidation/attack
Why were Black American churches so important tl the Civil rights movements?
- Centre of most black communities
- Clergymen were often community leaders and organisers
- they were well educated and good speakers
Why were some white people willing to work with the church leaders and why were others suspicious of them?
- Some white people saw clergymen as well- educated and polite so felt that they could work with them
- Others were more suspicious of these church groups and leaders – they thought that they were too organised and were a threat. Many churches therefore became targets for racist attacks
What was Emmet Till murder?
Emmet till was brutally killed because of being falsely accused of grabbing and making sexual suggestions to Carolyn Bryant.
He was then beaten, killed and thrown into a river by Roy Bryant. Authorities let the perpetrators free.
Why was George Lee and Lamar Smith killed?
For regestering to vote.
What effect did the murders of George Lee, Lamar Smith and Emmet Till have on the support of the Civil rights campaign?
The murders brought public and national attention to the regular racism and violence perpetrated against black people. This inspired many to join the fight against discrimination and fight for a civil rights movement
(The murders of Lee, Smith and Till got a lot of coverage across the country
– exposed the racism, and injustice that existed in southern states and
added impetus to the Civil Rights campaigns.)
List some opposition to the civil rights act
• The KKK – unsurprisingly organised demonstrations against Civil Rights and were involved in violent attacks
• Southern churches – claimed the bible said that integration was a sin (many KKK members were also members of these churches)
• Dixiecrats – southern democrats that formed a breakaway party after 1948 Civil Rights Bill
• Southern state governors – most state officials favoured segregation so opposed moves towards Civil rights
Describe story of Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks was an American African woman who refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on december 1, 1995 and was subsequently arrested. She was a part og a long line of black people who were against segregation (MIA).
What did Rosa Parks arrest lead to?
It led to the set up of the Women’s Political council to fight discrimination - organised and called for a 1-day boycott which was extended by MIA.
What was the MIA, when was it made and what were their aims?
- On 5th of December 1955 the MIA (montgomery improvement association) was set up
- aimed to improve lives of black people
- they continued the boycott to demand improvements; stop segregation.
