Civil Rights Movement Flashcards
Origin & Purpose of the UN
Founded 1945 (aftermath of WW2). Replaced the League of Nations to combat world wide issues and disasters
How many countries joined in the UN on 26 June 1945?
51 until Poland joined following
League of Nations
Set up in WW1 based on the concept of ‘internationalism’ (idea that world works together to meet the common good of mankind)
What does the UN deal with?
Political, economic, social and humanitarian issues
Structure of UN
Security Council = China, Russia, France, America & England
General assembly of 193 members (1 country = 1 vote)
Human Rights
Human rights are what everyone needs to be happy, healthy, to be treated fairly and involved in society. They are entitlements; you have them simply because you’re human
Origins of Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Following the tragedies and persecutions of WW2, the UN drafted a declaration of human rights that covers the rights of communities across the globe
What was Australia declared as when first colonised?
‘Terra Nullius’ - unoccupied land (legal in 18th century)
What was Governor Phillip’s instructions in 1788?
To remain the peace and friendly nature w/ the First Nations people. They were classified as British subjects and as such were entitled to protection. The reality was different to intention
What was “the Aboriginal Problem”?
People believed First Nations communities would slowly die out, however instead people just grew with mixed race. There were many believed ‘half-castes’ in society and so many, rather than dying out, lost their rights
What is Social Darwinism?
The idea that certain people become powerful in society because they are innately better
What was the Aborigines Protection Board established for?
Administer laws and policies for First Nations People from 1883 - 1969 (86 yrs)
What did the ABP control for FNP?
Access to health, economy, education, housing & employment
Also inhibit removal of children (as seen in STOLEN GENERATION)
Protectionism (1830 - 1940)
Idea that Aboriginal Australians needed to be separated from white people and ‘protected’ for their own good
Assimilation (1950 - 1960)
1930s - became clear that pop. wasn’t dying out but ‘mixed blood’ was increasing
Definition - an attempt to make Aboriginal Australians accept the way of life of white australians
What were protectors?
People appointed to protect First Nations people from abuse and persecution (often provided towns with rations, blankets & medicine)
Wasn’t until later when formal policies were made for Aboriginal peoples
What were some civil rights that Indigenous people didn’t have?
- Marry freely
- Voting
- Control of own children
- Alcohol consumption
- Own property
- Fair wages
What was the aim of assimilation?
The idea that FNP should take on white culture and abandon their tradition/culture. People will try to attain a similar manner and standard of living to that of other Australians. Absorb ppl into white culture
How was the ‘absorbing’ technique achieved?
The expenditure of housing, education and training programs were provided for many
What was something that came of the ‘absorbing’ technique? What did this limit?
White australians were less accepting and as such it was difficult for many FNP to integrate themselves
- Difficult to find work/management
- Resistance in shops, entertainment & public places
- Access to RSL clubs was difficult despite FNP involvement in the war
- Difference in pay
Integration (1960 - 1980)
The idea to combine cultures without the need for FNP to lose culture/tradition. This word provided a greater acceptance of Aboriginal culture
Self Determination (1972)
The attempt to protect that of FNP rights against discrimination. This ensured to give FNP a louder voice and increase awareness across the country
Day of Morning
Celebration to mourn the loss of culture and tradition that came from the colonisation (not celebration but remembrance)
Demands of the Day of Mourning
- End unfair treatment
- Return stolen lands
- Change policies on rights
- Aboriginal ppl to be represented in parliament
- The recognition of FNP
- The end of forced removal of children
Formal removal over the years
19th century = The removal of a child w/ consent or proof of neglect
1915 = requirement of neglect/consent is removed
What did some children experience during the SG?
Auctioning and selling of kids were often publicised in newspaper articles
What was the period of 1950 - 1960?
Period of division between African American people and white americans. Was the struggle to remove laws and decrease racial discrimination in the society
What were some methods used to limit racism?
- Negotiations
- Petitions
- Boycotts
- Non-violent protest
What were the Jim Crows Laws?
Laws that made segregation in southern states legal. Idea was to be ‘separate but legal’
3 examples of the Jim Crow Laws
- Marriages are void when a white person is with a 1/8 black, japanese or chinese
- Separate schools are created for the education of African American ppl (unlawful for coloured ppl to attend with white ppl)
- Unlawful for black and white to play together with each other for games
What was the Little Rock Crisis?
Not many ppl agreed with the decision to integrate the school in 1957, a grp of African Americans were attacked by an angry mob. State troopers had to lead the students into the school (military came in to help them)
What was the bus boycotts?
Rosa Park who refused to get up for a white man and was arrested. The National Association of Advancement paid her bail and organised a boycott of buses and many buses lost economy gain (AA covered 75% of trips)
What were freedom rides?
Used to challenge segregation on transport. May 1961, a bus was attacked by members of the KKK in Birmingham, Alabama. The bus was fire bombed and ppl were beating
Who was Martin Luther King Jr?
A baptist preacher who famously led the movement for Civil Rights for the black community
Who inspired King’s movements?
Indian Independence leader, Mahatma Gandhi
What did MLK use inspired from Gandhi?
To protest in a non-violence manner and attempted it peacefully
What did King do?
He inspired generations of young people of all races to protest non-violently against racial discrimination
What did the Civil Rights Act (1964) ban?
Banned all segregations in all public spaces
What did the Voting Rights (1965) do?
Made it illegal to prevent African Americans from registering to vote
Were there white protestor? If so, what fraction were?
Yes, 1/3 of the 200,000 protestors were white
What grp formed in inspiration from the US civil rights movement to protect FNP?
Student Action For Aborigines (SAFA) which worked to expose the racial discrimination towards FNP
What did SAFA draw inspiration from?
Freedom Rides in order to attract the media attention –> increase awareness
What were the aims of SAFA’s Freedom Rides?
- Chartering a bus for 2 wks across west & north coast (NSW)
- Develop a thorough survey of FNP treatment (e.g. housing, education, employment, health)
- Inspiring European townspeople to do something
- Promote integration amongst all areas
How many places did the Freedom Rides go?
7 rural towns
What was one of main positive impacts of Freedom Rides?
Increased publicity regarding the issue in small towns –> community awareness
Worked as a catalyst for future activism
What occurred in 1967?
The Referendum
What was the aim of the 1967 Referendum?
The aim was so Aboriginal and Torres Strait people would be considered as a part of the population and be able to make laws/policies against the increasing discrimination. They wanted to alter the commonwealth so that policies and laws could be made for them and they would have a say
What year were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people allowed to vote?
1962
First Australian policy introduced concerning FNP?
Protectionism = the removal or segregation of cultures believed be for the greater good of First Nations australian
Aim of Assimilation policy of 1937 - 1973?
To erase Indigenous culture and help Aboriginal people accept the life of white australians
Why were children removed by the Aboriginal protection board?
This was in the best interest of the children and as such they did not think the parents were able to properly protect them
Aboriginal Tent Embassy 1972?
A protest to argue against the Government’s refusal for indigenous peoples rights
What is the National Apology and when did it occur?
2008 - a nationwide apology to say sorry about the past wrongs done towards the First Nations ppl (e.g. Stolen generation, lack of rights)
Who gave the National Apology?
Kevin Rudd
What were the freedom rides challenging?
The segregation of First Nations and white Australians on public transport
Who supported the freedom rides of 1965?
All First Nations people
Who was Eddie Mabo and what did he do?
An Indigenous Australian from Torres Strait Islander who campaigned for FNP land rights (upon the high court of Australia)
Exemption Certificates
An official document that gives special permission to get the benefits of an Australian Citizenship which is otherwise lost with Aboriginal Status
Day of Mourning 1938
A protest to turn Australia Day (once a day of celebration) into a day of remembrance. To appreciate the loss of culture and heritage as before
Who was Charles Perkins?
A civil rights activist who developed that of Freedom Rides, inspired from American influence.
Who was William Cooper?
A inspirational First Nations leader in NSW and Victoria who founded the Australian Aborigines League. The league lobbied and protest for state and federal governments to improve the rights and lives of FNP
Who was Vincent Lingiari?
A livestock activist who fought for Aboriginal land rights/ He was best known for leading the 1966 strike of FNP works at Wave Hill cattle station in the NT.
How many locations did the Australian Freedom Rides go?
7
What was the Bringing Them Home Report?
Significant document in Australia that was focused on the forced removal of FN children. It documented on the experiences of Indigenous communities and called for amends and support for the effected individuals. Intended to raise awareness on FNP treatment over the years
What were the Australian Freedom Rides?
A bus tour across rural towns of NSW that were intended to highlight the discrimination that existed for FNP. Joined the Commonwealth Office of Aboriginal Affairs in 1968
To where did the Freedom Riders experience intense backlash and discrimination from towns people?
Moree and Walgett
What did many Freedom Riders protest against in Moree?
The exclusion and segregation of FNP in the public swimming pools
