Civil Rights (2) Flashcards
1
Q
What was the events of the Greensboro sit-in
A
- eighty-five students demanded to be served at a whites-only counter
- When they were refused they organised a sit-in
- Altogether 70,000 took part in sit-ins across the south and 3,600 went to jail
- When whites turned violent there was widespread television coverage and support for Civil Rights
- Black people didn’t react to attract more sympathy/media coverage
2
Q
who organised the sit-ins
A
- Student Non-violent Co-ordinating Committee (or ‘Snick’)
3
Q
what were The Freedom Riders
A
- they were CORE campaigners rode buses to highlight that desegregation had not happened
4
Q
What was the Anniston Bomb
A
- In 1961 the KKK firebombed a bus in Aniston, and buses were also attacked in Montgomery with little police protection, some riders arrested
5
Q
What was The James Meredith case
A
- James Meredith, a black student, was rejected from Mississippi university and the NAACP challenged his rejection
- The Supreme Court ordered the university to admit him but officials still stopped him
- In 1962 Kennedy sent the National Guard and federal troops soldiers into Mississippi to make sure that he could take his place at a university
- But when rioting followed, 23,000 troops were needed to keep order.
6
Q
What happened in Birmingham, Alabama April 1963
A
- SNCC, SCLC & ACMHR (Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights) began Campaign ‘C’ (for confrontation). They targeted Birmingham, Alabama because it was completely segregated and it was nicknamed ‘Bombingham’ due to the regular bombing of black churches, homes and businesses.
7
Q
How did the white police deal with the black protestors
A
- Arrests, water cannon, dogs and baton charges were used to disperse the marchers. Arrests reached 500 a day, but it was all shown on television and many were sickened by the violence.
8
Q
What happened in the March on Washington 1963
A
- Immediately after events in Birmingham, 250,000 people (including 40,000 whites) took part Despite fears, the march was peaceful
9
Q
what was the significance of all the marches
A
- Size, TV broadcast around the world, King’s emotive speech, black and white crowd with famous people involved too (e.g. Bob Dylan)
10
Q
What are some quotes from MLKs speech
A
- “all men are created equal” “the table of brotherhood” “oasis of freedom and justice” “…not judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character”
11
Q
What was the Freedom Summer 1964
A
- 1000 volunteers went to Mississippi to work with local campaigners. Many white college students involved: Freedom Schools set up, helped many to pass voter registration tests.
12
Q
What significant white reaction was there to the freedom summer
A
- Reaction of many white Mississippians, many blacks lost jobs, beatings and violence common, only 1600 of 17000 successfully registered to vote
13
Q
What were the Mississippi murders 1964
A
- three CORE workers (two white ,Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman, and one black, James Chaney) were murdered by the KKK in June 1964, although their bodies were not discovered until August. Other bodies of black CORE workers were also discovered in the search. Another scandal that gained much media coverage
14
Q
What was the role of JFK
A
- Appointed blacks to high level jobs, pressed for changes to laws, not afraid to intervene is south with executive orders eg James Meredith case.
15
Q
What was the role of Johnson
A
- Appointed blacks to high level jobs, Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act, Escorted marchers from Selma to Montgomery
16
Q
What was ‘bloody sunday’
A
- Only 1% of blacks in Selma Alabama were registered to vote – a protest march was planned on 7 March 1965 from Selma to Montgomery but the marchers were stopped from crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge by state troopers with tear gas/cattle prods/clubs.
17
Q
what was achieved in the civil rights act 1964
A
- Banned:
Discrimination in voting, in public spaces and in jobs (Equal, Opportunities, Commission) - Gave government power to:
Enforce desegregation, remove funding from state projects that discriminated
18
Q
what limitations were there in the civil rights act 1964
A
- Still difficult to enforce in many states
Equal Opportunities Council had limited staff
Many in Deep South found ways around desegregation
19
Q
what was achieved in the Voting Rights Act 1965
A
- Set up:
One voter registration requirement
Federal government officials ran registration in some states
20
Q
what limitations were there in the Voting Rights Act 1965
A
Although 79,593 had been registered by end of 1965 it was still a very slow process
Even the federal officials faced opposition
Many black Americans still frustrated
21
Q
Who was Malcom X
A
- Born May 1925 as Malcolm Little. Early life: Father murdered, went to foster homes. Imprisoned for burglary. Joined the Nation of Islam, became interested in black nationalism, changed name to Malcom X. Early political career: NOI minister, then spokesman. NOI grew massively due to his campaigning
22
Q
what philosophies did Malcom x have
A
- Rejected non-violence, criticised MLK, thought that white Americans would always view blacks as inferior
23
Q
What later changed attitudes did Malcom X have
A
- Left NOI, changed views after visit to Mecca and became more willing to consider integration and accept white help. Met SNCC and CORE
- he was later assassinated in 1965 by NOI, 15000 attended his funeral
24
Q
What reasons are there for the emergence of Black power
A
- The Black power movement encouraged black Americans to be proud of their heritage and rejected white help and the idea of integration. They were influenced by Malcolm X’s ideas and spoke about revolution. They were popular amongst the poor as they focused on local issues and tried to improve the lives of those living on the ghettoes
25
Who was Stokely Carmichael
- Set up Lowndes County Freedom Organisation to represent Black Americans (slogan was a panther which became a symbol)
- May 1966 he became leader of SNCC and more people from Black Power became involved that radicalised SNCC campaigns
26
What happened in the march against fear
- James Meredith was shot on March through Mississippi
27
What happened as a result of MLK and Carmichael taking over
- Carmichael gave speeches that showed new approach - “We been saying ‘freedom’ for six years,” he said. “What we are going to start saying now is ‘Black Power.'” CORE and SNCC became less welcoming of white supporters
28
What happened in the Mexico 1968 Olympics
- Tommie Smith and John Carlos made Black Power salute on podium after 200m race. Seen across the world and had a massive impact. US papers condemned them, they received threats and were suspended from the team. But this simple act inspired many black Americans to join the Black Power Movement
29
Who were the Black Panthers?
Founded in 1966 by Huey P Newton and Bobby Seale
| - they wore Black beret, trousers, leather jacket
30
What did the black panthers believe in
Black people needed black officials and police to protect them
31
What would the black panthers do
- . street patrols, pressed local government officials to improve life for blacks, courses on black history
32
what success did the black panthers have
local activities in ghetto communities, health clinics and breakfast clubs
33
what negatives did the black panthers have
- Some were involved in robberies and deliberately provoking police, e.g Newton charged with murder
34
What were the major riots across US 1965-57
- Major riots across US 1965-7 in places like New York, LA (Watts Riot of 1965), Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit sparked off by poor treatment of black Americans. Significant clashes with police and damage to property.
35
What was the Kerner report
- the Kerner Report of 1968 that stated: riots were the result of poor conditions in the ghettos, white officials had failed to fix problems, the police needed to provide more protection in the ghettos, the media had sensationalised the riots
36
What was kings campaign in the north
- MLK and the SCLC went to Chicago in 1966 to campaign for fairer housing. Mayor Daley of Chicago agreed to talks but did not fulfil his promises about housing. MLK then organised a big demonstration in Washington called the Poor People’s Campaign
37
What was the impact of MLKs assassination
- MLK was assassinated and widespread rioting took place. The Poor People’s Campaign went ahead without much success.
38
what was The extent of progress in civil rights by 1975
- Black protest split after 1969, with different groups focusing on different issues and using different tactics (some more radical, some still more peaceful). The Vietnam War became more of an issue so support for Civil Rights dropped
- Much progress had been made by 1975. 1970 Voting Rights Act banned literacy tests, in 1975 it was changed to include Hispanic, Native Americans and other races but the fight for equality in the US was far from won.
