civil rights Flashcards
African American experiences in the War
o Provided work for black people – better working condition
o Racism impacted hiring of AA - Many restricted to non-combat roles at beginning
o Strictly segregated at the start
o Military racist - Air Force and Marine Corps denied black people
o Were treated reasonably equal by the end of the war but once home segregation and discrimination continued as normal despite honour of war
o Benjamin O Davis Jr, first African American general
Great migration
o Many AA’s moved from South to the North and West during the war
o This was to find jobs that had become available due to war production
- War saw growth in organisation of quest for black equality and growth of “black consciousness”
The National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP)
o First group to make a major contribution to 20th century civil rights
o Founded in 1909
o Formed by white and black citizens in response to violence and lynching in Springfield Illinois
o AIM: to achieve social and political equality for black people and secure all people the rights granted by the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments
o Used a legal approach
o Engaged in communication with wider community
The Congress of Racial Equality (CORE)
o Interracial group formed in 1942 in Chicago
o Non-violent direct-action approach
o Gained widespread recognition when they helped MLK in Montgomery Bus Boycott
o Influence by Ghandi
o AIM: to desegregate restaurants and businesses
o Sit-ins
o Moved away from non-violence after murders in Mississippi Freedom Summer and MLK assassination
The Southern Christian Leadership Council (SCLC)
o Drew on strength and organisation of black churches
o Founded in 1957 after Montgomery Bus Boycott
o Lead by Martin Luther King
o Emphasis on non-violence and all campaigning reflected this
o AIM: to elevate economic status of Black people by focusing on jobs, literacy, voter education and community programs
The Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)
o Emerged from Greensboro sit-ins in 1960
o Ella Baker catalyst for the formation of the group
o Preached and trained for non-violence
o Would issue press releases that challenged politicians and public to accept racial equality
o Gained support after Freedom Rides
o Played key role in voter registration drives and passing of Civil Rights Act 1964
Efforts of MLK to achieve change for African Americans
- used leadership skills from his religious background and academic training to create a non-violent protest strategy to skilfully appeal for white support
- Founded SCLC in 1957 to expand the non-violent civil rights movement
- Stressed the goal of achieving black voting rights
- Was able to establish support from many types of organisations
- Created international alliances with other group fighting oppression – South Africa
- Became experienced in non-violent protests, sit-ins and use his oratory power to educate many on the struggle for civil rights
o E.g., Selma March, March on Washington, ‘I Have a Dream Speech’ - Fundamental catalyst in the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965
Montgomery Bus Boycott significance
- NAACP pursued legal action for the desegregation of buses
- Browder versus Gayle – federal District Court ruled segregation on buses unconstitutional
o Gained national attention
o Moral boost for movement
o Showed effectiveness of non-violence
o Highlighted depth of racism and inspired some Northern support
o Brought MLK to prominence
Freedom Rides significance
o The publicity surrounding the Freedom Rides pushed Attorney-General Robert Kennedy into Action
o In September 1961 The Federal Commerce Commission outlawed racial discrimination, bringing as end to segregation on interstate travel
o Divisions within the civil rights movement persisted
o Although the Freedom Riders underwent immense suffering it acted as propaganda value
o Was a pyrrhic victory as Albany desegregated interstate travel but then closed parks, swimming pool and removed all seats in its library, also refused to desegregate schools
March on Washington significance
o Divisions in civil rights movement persisted (The Nation of Islam refused to join march – Malcolm X critical of non-violence)
o Emotional impact but its role in ensuring the passing of 1964 Civil Rights Bill is questionable
o Response in deep south remained extreme and uncompromising (only a week later Church in Birmingham bombed killing four children, KKK membership spiked)
‘Mississippi Freedom Summer’ of 1964 significance
o Over 1000 civil rights activist arrested
o Following murders 19 people charged with violating civil rights yet none of them served more than ten years in prison
o Despite brave efforts only 1600 additional black voters were added to the roll
o The publicity brought home to ordinary Americans what fellow black citizens faced
o Arguably convinced Johnson to pass his civil rights proposals
o Various white citizens acted out in revenge on blacks
Truman 1945-1953
- Made bold pro civil-rights movement statement in 1940
- Said aim of country should be “to secure fully the essential human rights of our citizens”
- Gave no help to FEPC when they tried to desegregate transport
- Supported recommendations of To Secure These Rights report
- Ended discrimination in armed forces
- Placed black judge on federal court
- Govt contracts were not to go to companies that practised discrimination
- For a southerner was seen as far-sighted and liberal in his attitude to civil rights
- Country was arguably not ready for major civil rights movement at time
Eisenhower 1953-1961
- Little interest in civil rights
- Typical southerner
- Disagreed with federal intervention in civil rights
- Concerned with political cost of supporting movement
- Remained silent on Emmett Till murder
- No support to Montgomery Bus Boycott
- Refused to use federal power to support Brown vs Board of Education
- Reacted in reluctance to Little Rock Nine
- His 1957 and 1960 Civil Rights Acts did little to help black voters
- Lacked the interest, motivation and empathy to get involved
Kennedy 1961-1963
- Promised to help Black Americans
- Early on took little interest in Civil Rights
- Legalistic approach
- Opposed tactics of SNCC – blamed them for violence in South
- Opposed March on Washington
- Pushed by actions of civil rights activists
- Appointed 5 black judges in federal court
- Made symbolic gestures for equality
- Created Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity
- Was “sickened” by violence against James Meredith
- Said it was a ‘moral issue’
- Introduced civil rights bill assassinated before put in
- Sympathetic
- Acted in response
- Was wary of falling popularity in South
Johnson 1963-1969
- Tough politician but was willing to take risks on behalf of black and Hispanic minorities
- Sincere desire for racial equality – perceived more serious about race issues
- Was a realist and saw how racial tension was stopping people investing in South
- After Kennedy’s death he championed civil rights bill
- Fought hard for Kennedy’s civil rights bill
- Higher Education Act 1965
- Introduced Medicare and Medicaid for poor blacks
- Brought in Voting Rights Act
- Appointed first African American into the Supreme Court – Thurgood Marshall
