Civil Rights Movement

Question 1

What were the positions of Black americans in the early 1950s

Answer 1

In the South ‘Jim Crow’ laws enforced segregation that covered all aspects of life.

Black Americans allowed to vote however by 1956 only 20% allowed to register as they were intimdiated, threatened and forced to do tests.

Black Americans in theory given equal right (14th Amendment) however still faced discrimination

Question 2

What two laws set up to support coloured people 1940

Answer 2

Natinal association for the advancement of coloured people : set up in 1909 , created legal defence in 1940 . Focused on fighting for civil rights in courts , particularly in schools.

Congress of racial equality: set up in 1942, protested against segregation. Used non violent direct action protests such as sit-ins and boycotts. Trained to not react aggressive when intimidated.

Question 3

Key features of Brown V. Topeka

Answer 3

1954

Oliver Brown took City of Topeka to court as he couldn’t take daughter to school since it was a white-only school.

NACCP supported the case and 4 others

Supreme court declared that all segregated schools were illegal because seperate must mean unequal.

Question 4

Significance of Brown V Topeka

Answer 4

Key turning point in Civil Rights as schools in the north began to open up towards bladk people although there was still much opposition in the south to integrating schools and many states refused to do so.

Question 5

Key features of Little rock High school

Answer 5

1957

Elizabeth Eckford and 8 other students tried to enroll at little rock. However, they were stopped by the State Govenor who surrounded the school with state national guard

Eisenhower sent federal troops to escort and protetc students. After a month they wre replaced by National Guards men , stayed sith them for a year.

Question 6

Montgomery Bus boycott key features

Answer 6

1955 Rosa Parks arrested in Montgomery for refusing to give seat on a bus for a white man.

As a result of this MLK and Montogomery Improvement Association organised boycott of buses which lasted a year.

Question 7

Impacts of Montgomery bus boycott

Answer 7

1956 supreme court said that segregration on buses were also illegal

1957 Eisenhower introduces civil rights act.

Commission set up to persecute anybody who tries to deny American citizens their rights

MLK leader of South christian leadership council. Urged non-violent direct action to protest and worked hard hard to help people register to vote.