Chapter 5- Freedom Rides Flashcards
Summarize Chapter 5: Freedom Rides.
Chapter 5 recounts the Freedom Rides, a pivotal campaign to challenge segregation on interstate buses and in terminals across the South. John Lewis was one of the early participants, risking his life to enforce Supreme Court rulings. The chapter highlights the violence faced by riders, the federal government’s reluctant intervention, and the impact of the rides on the civil rights movement.
What were the Freedom Rides, and what was their purpose?
The Freedom Rides were integrated bus trips through the South to test and enforce Supreme Court rulings that outlawed segregation on interstate buses and in bus terminals.
Why did John Lewis join the Freedom Rides?
Lewis joined to demonstrate his commitment to nonviolent resistance, confront racial injustice, and enforce federal desegregation laws.
What major court rulings were the Freedom Riders testing?
The riders tested rulings like Boynton v. Virginia (1960) and earlier decisions that declared segregation on interstate buses and facilities unconstitutional
What challenges and dangers did the Freedom Riders face?
Riders faced brutal violence, including beatings, firebombings, arrests, and mob attacks, often with little or no protection from local law enforcement.
How was John Lewis personally affected during the Freedom Rides?
Lewis was beaten and arrested multiple times, enduring physical harm but remaining steadfast in his commitment to nonviolence.
How did the federal government respond to the Freedom Rides?
Initially hesitant, the federal government eventually intervened under pressure, with the Interstate Commerce Commission enforcing stricter desegregation rules.
What role did SNCC play in sustaining the Freedom Rides?
When the original CORE riders halted due to violence, SNCC members, including Lewis, stepped in to continue the rides, ensuring their momentum and visibility
What was the significance of the Freedom Rides in the civil rights movement?
The rides forced federal authorities to act against segregation, exposed the brutality of Southern racism, and inspired broader participation in the movement.
How did the Freedom Rides shape John Lewis’s future activism?
The rides reinforced Lewis’s resolve, raised his profile as a leader, and deepened his belief in the power of nonviolent resistance to bring about change.
