Civil Rights Flashcards
What event highlighted the levels of inequality and hypocrisy in the USA during the 1939-1962 Civil Rights era?
The Second World War
The war brought the issue of Civil Rights to the forefront of American politics.
What was the status of Black Americans serving in the military during World War II?
Served in segregated units
By 1945, there were 750,000 black Americans in the US army.
What restrictions were placed on Black soldiers in the US military during World War II?
- Not allowed into combat in the Marines
- US Air-Force would not accept black pilots
- Black nurses could only treat black soldiers
- Given menial tasks or most dangerous jobs
Who supported the integration of combat units in the US military during World War II?
US Supreme Commander, Eisenhower
By 1944, there were hundreds of black officers in the army and marines.
What was the outcome of the Double V campaign?
Gained improved civil rights and victory in war
Initiated at home to highlight civil rights issues.
What executive order did Roosevelt issue regarding discrimination in jobs?
Stopped discrimination in industrial and government jobs
The number of black Americans in government jobs trebled to 200,000 by the end of the war.
What significant Supreme Court case addressed segregation in education?
Brown v. Board of Education
Thurgood Marshall represented Linda Brown.
What was the ruling of the Supreme Court in the Brown case in 1954?
Segregation in education was unconstitutional
Despite this, 2.4 million black children were still in Jim Crow schools in 1957.
What event in 1957 forced President Eisenhower to take action on school integration?
Events at Little Rock, Arkansas
The state governor ordered national guardsmen to block the entry of black students.
Who was the first African-American student to attend the University of Mississippi in 1962?
James Meredith
JFK sent federal marshals to escort him into the university.
What action did Rosa Parks take in December 1955?
Refused to give up her seat on a bus
This led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
What organization was formed to support the Montgomery Bus Boycott?
Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA)
MLK and Ralph Abernathy were involved.
What was the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling in December 1956 regarding segregation?
Segregation was ruled unconstitutional
This was a significant victory for the civil rights movement.
What strategy did students use during Sit-in protests?
Endured violence and assaults but didn’t retaliate
This nonviolent approach pressured the local economy.
What were Freedom Riders attempting to test?
Whether integration was really happening
They faced violence and arrests during their efforts.
Fill in the blank: By 1955, the army had changed from the most _______ to the most integrated.
segregated
Who were instrumental in the fight for Civil Rights?
Individuals such as Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, John Lewis & Stokely Carmichael.
What qualities did Martin Luther King (MLK) possess?
MLK was enthusiastic, energetic and able to inspire those who worked with him.
What organizations did MLK lead?
He led the MIA and SCLC, voted TIME’s Man of the Year & won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Why did King target Birmingham, Alabama?
It had a large black American population & a notoriously racist chief of police (Bull Connor).
What significant document did King write while in jail?
‘Letter from Birmingham Jail’ highlighting the slow progress towards Civil Rights.
What was the outcome of the demonstrations in Birmingham?
2000 demonstrators & 1300 children were arrested; police violence gained massive publicity.
What was the March on Washington?
An event in August 1963 with 250,000 demonstrators where King delivered his ‘I have a dream’ speech.
What were the setbacks faced by the Civil Rights campaign in 1963?
Four black girls were killed in a bomb attack & JFK was assassinated.
