Changes in the Civil Rights Movement, 1965-68 Flashcards
Context
Shifting Focus
Inferior social status of black Americans continued
Shift to Northern states
Context
Problems in Ghettos
Poor housing + white prejudice made it difficult to move
Poor quality education - early 1960s, 32% black students graduated high school, 52% whites
Majority of policemen white + racist
Riots
Harlem Riot (1964)
1920s - Harlem Renaissance of literature, music, and art
Tensions began to form
James Powell, 15 year old, shot and killed by police Lieutenant Thomas Gilligan, sparked 6 nights of rioting and looting
4000 vandalised city + attacked NYPD
1 dead, 118 injured, 465 arrested
Riots
Watts Riot (1965)
August 1965, response to black motorist’s arrest for drunk driving
6 days of looting + arson, crowds cried ‘Long Live Malcolm X’ whilst setting fire to several blocks of stores
4000 members of California Army National Guard called in
34 deaths, over $40 million in property damage
King called for ‘better distribution of wealth’
Riots
Analysis
Riots mobilised black Americans who grew frustrated with non-violent approach
Despite de jure change, more pressing socio-economic issues needed addressing
Northern states had fundamental racial + social divisions
Chicago Campaign, 1966
Initial Action
Chicago Freedom Movement was King’s first Northern initiative
Rally in** June 1966,** only 30,000 attended compared to 100,000 estimated
Heat wave - Mayor Richard Daley cut off water to western ghetto, generating riots
Chicago Campaign, 1966
King’s Approach
Tried to promote peaceful negotiations through marches
Was bombarded by rocks, over 1000 police officers unable to subdue white crowds
Chicago Campaign, 1966
Outcome
Daley banned further marches
Chicago Real Estate Board promised to uphold fair housing laws, but following Daley’s re-election ignored this
King forced to compromise, local black leaders frustrated
Chicago Campaign, 1966
Why Did It Fail?
King misjudged situation in the north
Violent white backlash, lack of support from trade unions, church less important
Johnson failed to intervene
Problems at a far greater scale, would take long term change + financial investment
The Poor People’s Campaign (1968)
Aim
Aimed to unite African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and poorer white people in a coalition
Campaigning for better stanards of living, aimed to target gov buildings, boycott businesses, and demand high fed budget to handle poverty
The Poor People’s Campaign (1968)
Problems
Johnson made it clear he wouldn’t support
Vietnam War created split between civil rights radicals, and liberal poiticians + diverted resources
March 1968, SCLC managed to gain support from some trade unions + religious groups
Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike (1968)
Limited Success
King launched many non-violent protests
But march lasted less than an hour, marchers began attacking shops + looting, authorities responded with tear gas
Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike (1968)
End
King attempted to stage another march, but was assassinated
Overall Analysis
Campaigns intended to target ghettoisation + social deprivation in Northern states
But events revealed hostile white attitudes were severely engrained, and there was less endorsement for King’s philosophy amongst black northern activists
Impact of King’s Assassination
Pivotal moment
Authorities in Memphis gave into demands of workers, Johnson announced day of national mourning
More than 50,000 joined procession, but many reacted violently
Riots in 130 cities across 29 states, 43 deaths, over 3000 injured, and 20,000 arrested
