Chapter 14 - RFK Flashcards
Summarize Chapter 14: RFK.
Chapter 14 explores the relationship between John Lewis and Robert F. Kennedy (RFK), focusing on their collaboration during the civil rights movement. It delves into how RFK, as Attorney General, became an ally to civil rights activists, providing federal support during critical moments. The chapter also examines the mutual respect between Lewis and Kennedy, highlighting RFK’s influence on Lewis’s approach to politics and justice.
How did Robert F. Kennedy’s role as Attorney General impact the civil rights movement?
As Attorney General, RFK played a crucial role by enforcing civil rights laws, supporting desegregation efforts, and deploying federal resources to protect activists, thereby lending federal legitimacy to the movement
In what ways did John Lewis and RFK collaborate during the civil rights movement?
Lewis and RFK worked together during events like the Freedom Rides, where RFK’s intervention provided federal protection to activists facing violence, and during voter registration drives, where the Justice Department under RFK supported efforts to combat disenfranchisement.
How did RFK’s views on civil rights evolve during his tenure as Attorney General?
Initially cautious, RFK’s exposure to the struggles of Black Americans and his interactions with leaders like John Lewis led him to adopt a more proactive stance on civil rights, recognizing the moral imperative for federal action.
What influence did RFK have on John Lewis’s perspective on politics and justice?
RFK’s commitment to justice and willingness to challenge systemic racism inspired Lewis to see the potential for political institutions to effect change, reinforcing his belief in working within the system to achieve civil rights goals.
How did the relationship between Lewis and RFK reflect broader alliances in the civil rights movement?
Their relationship exemplified the collaboration between grassroots activists and sympathetic government officials, demonstrating how such alliances were essential for advancing civil rights legislation and enforcement.
What were some challenges in the partnership between civil rights activists and the federal government during RFK’s tenure?
Challenges included activists’ frustration with the federal government’s cautious approach, bureaucratic delays, and the need to balance political considerations with moral imperatives.
How did RFK’s assassination impact John Lewis and the civil rights movement?
RFK’s assassination in 1968 was a profound loss for Lewis and the movement, as they lost a key ally in the fight for justice, leading to a period of mourning and reassessment of strategies among civil rights leaders.
In what ways did RFK’s support during events like the Freedom Rides demonstrate federal involvement in civil rights?
RFK’s decision to send federal marshals to protect Freedom Riders showcased a significant federal commitment to enforcing civil rights and protecting activists from state and local hostility.
How did John Lewis honor RFK’s legacy in his subsequent work?
Lewis continued to advocate for social justice and equality, embodying the principles of compassion and courage that RFK championed, and often cited RFK’s influence in his speeches and writings.
