Civil Rights 1939 - 1968 Flashcards
What was the status of Black Americans serving in the US Army during World War II?
Black Americans had to serve in segregated units.
By 1945, there were 750,000 black Americans in the US army.
In which branch of the military were Black soldiers not allowed to engage in combat?
The Marines.
Black soldiers were also restricted in the US Air Force.
What restrictions were placed on Black nurses during World War II?
Black nurses could only treat black soldiers and could only use blood from black soldiers to treat them.
This reflected the segregationist policies in place at the time.
What types of tasks were Black soldiers assigned during World War II?
Menial tasks and the most dangerous jobs.
This highlights the discrimination they faced even within the military.
Who was the US Supreme Commander that supported integrated combat units during World War II?
Eisenhower.
By 1944, there were hundreds of black officers in the army and marines.
How many Black pilots were there in the US military by 1945?
600.
This was a significant increase in representation.
What campaign aimed at improving civil rights for Black Americans during World War II?
Double V campaign.
It sought victory in war as well as civil rights.
What executive order did Roosevelt issue during World War II?
An order that stopped discrimination in industrial and government jobs.
This led to a significant increase in Black Americans in government jobs.
By the end of World War II, how many Black Americans were in government jobs?
200,000.
This was a threefold increase from before the war.
What event highlighted racial tensions in the US during and after World War II?
Race riots in 47 cities.
The 1943 Detroit riot resulted in the deaths of 25 black individuals and 9 white individuals.
What landmark Supreme Court case addressed segregation in education?
Brown v. Topeka.
Thurgood Marshall represented Linda Brown in this case.
What was the main argument presented by Thurgood Marshall in the Brown v. Topeka case?
Educational achievement was restricted and self-esteem damaged by the separate but equal ‘Jim Crow’ laws.
This case was pivotal in challenging segregation.
What was the outcome of the Brown v. Topeka ruling in 1954?
Segregation in education was ruled unconstitutional.
Despite this, many black children continued to attend segregated schools.
How many black children were still educated in Jim Crow schools by 1957?
2.4 million.
This indicates the slow pace of integration despite the ruling.
What significant event occurred in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957 regarding school integration?
State governor Faubus ordered national guardsmen to block the entry of black students.
This led to federal intervention by President Eisenhower.
What action did President Eisenhower take in response to the events in Little Rock?
Sent 1000 federal troops to enforce integration.
This was a significant federal response to state resistance.
What incident sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott?
Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus.
This act of defiance became a catalyst for the boycott.
Who organized the one-day boycott of city buses following Rosa Parks’ arrest?
Jo Ann Robinson.
She mobilized the community to protest segregation on public transport.
What was the name of the organization formed to lead the Montgomery Bus Boycott?
Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA).
Martin Luther King Jr. was a key leader in this organization.
What was the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling in December 1956 regarding segregation?
Segregation was ruled unconstitutional.
This ruling was a significant victory for the civil rights movement.
What were the Freedom Riders testing during their journey?
Whether integration was truly happening.
They faced violence and hostility during their rides.
What happened to a bus in Anniston, Alabama during the Freedom Riders’ journey?
It was attacked and burnt.
This incident highlighted the violent resistance to integration.
Who were instrumental in the fight for Civil Rights?
Individuals such as Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, John Lewis & Stokely Carmichael
What organization did Martin Luther King lead?
MIA and SCLC
