civil rights movement to 1992

Question 1

high point

2 points

Answer 1

1. 1964 civil rights Act - discrimination ended in public accommodation and employment by law
2. 1965 voting rights Act - right to vote

Question 2

limitations to progress 1956-1992

9 points

Answer 2

1. end of 1980s
   graduated from high school 63% AA vs 77% whites
2. graduate from college 11% AA vs 22% whites
3. unemployment higher for AA
4. gap between average family income whites vs AA increases in 80s
5. average hourly wage remains lower for AA
6. AA poverty increased since 50s.
   1/3 living below poverty line.
   1/3 working in low-skilled jobs.
   housing poorer quality
7. race relations remain tense in inner city areas
8. high unemployment, poverty, poor schools and housing, unfair treatment by police = race riots 1965
9. attitude of police and law enforcement remains a major source of concern

Question 3

continuing initiatives for greater equality

1 point

Answer 3

1. after 60s civil rights movement broadens focus beyond desegregation and voting rights

Question 4

Affirmative action policy (started by kennedy)

2 point

Answer 4

1. idea was to compensate AA for lack of opportunities and discrimination in past and to ensure racial harmony by giving AA more of a share in national prosperity
2. e.g. Nixon’s Philadelphia Plan 1967
   set quotas for AA workers in construction industry
   Congress support policy (Equal Opportunities Act 1972)
   number of AA construction workers rose
   civil rights leaders saw it as another form of unequal treatment

Question 5

Busing policy

3 points

Answer 5

1. forced integration
2. unpopular with public. Nixon and Ford oppose it
3. declined in later 70s (lack of local support)

Question 6

Progress by 1992

5 points

Answer 6

1. civil rights legislation renewed and strengthened in 1982
2. AA holding office
   1964 100
   1992 8,000
3. by 1992 36 AA representatives in congress
4. Civil rights movement declines after 1970
5. Jesse Jackson possible presidential candidate - failed to achieve democratic nomination 1984 and 1988

Question 7

Rodney King affair

3 points

Answer 7

1. 1991 assault of Rodney King by white police in LA
2. 1992 all white jury acquitted officers = serious unrest
3. highlighted remaining issues of inequality -
   housing,
   unequal treatment of AA by authorities,
   disproportionately large AA prison population