Civil Rights Protests Flashcards
What is a sit-in?
A type of protest in which people refused to leave a place until their demands are considered or agreed to
What were some of the negative responses to sit -ins?
Insults, spat at, drinks and food thrown, physically attacked
What tactic led to thousands being arrested?
Jail not bail.
Name a famous example of a sit-in
Greensboro 1963
Identify 4 reasons the sit-ins were significant.
1.Lots of publicity 2.More visible than boycotts 3.Large numbers taking part 4.Successfuly desegregated some places
Name 3 Civil Rights organisations
NAACP, CORE, SCLC
What and when were the Freedom Rides?
A journey black and white students took on buses from Washington D.C. to the South to confront segregation. They set off in May 1961
What happened to the Freedom Rides bus?
Attacked by the KKK- they firebombed the bus, smashed the windows, slashed tires and beat up freedom riders/
What happened to the people who attacked the Freedom Riders?
Nothing- in fact, the police arrested the freedom riders for ‘starting the riot’
Why did states begin to integrate?
President Kennedy threatened to send US Marshals
Who was the chief of police in Montgomery?
Bull’ Connor
What happened to James Meredith?
He applied to university in 1961 and his application was rejected as they refused to accept integration
What was President Kennedy’s response to the Meredith case?
He ordered a law called ‘desist’ which means stop resisting. When riots broke out, he sent 2,000 Federal troops and 300 state troops to protect Meredith whilst he attended the university for a year.
Why was the Meredith Case significant?
It showed the President was unafraid to intervene and enforce supreme court rulings.
What were the aims of Martin Luther King?
Aim racial discrimination, achieve racial equality, bring about justice including for the poor
What were the methods used by MLK?
Peaceful demonstrations, non-violent direct action, speeches, publicity, lobbying politicians
Why did the FBI tap King’s phone?
They suspected he was too left-wing and a threat to the USA
Idenitfy 3 qualities King had that helped him gain widespread support?
Well educated and a good speaker, continually emphasised non-violence, worked with people of all races
What and when were the 3 main peace marches?
Birmingham Alabama 1953, Washington 1963 and Selma Alabama 1965
Why was Birmingham, Alabama successful?
Some white businesses desegregated, White Americans were appalled by KKK violence and began to support, inspired other marches, Civil Rights Bill was introduced to Congress
What were some of the failures of Birmingham, Alabama?
The police arrested and imprisoned thousands of peaceful protestors including King. 1,000 children arrested, dogs and fire hoses set on demonstrators, race riots broke out, many places stayed segregated
Why was the March on Washington successful?
Racial discrimination still continued- economic inequality and vote registration
Why was the march on Selma a success?
Huge publicity and shocking scenes caused many protestors across the USA to join, President Johnson introduced a voting rights bill in Congress- the Voting Rights Act was passed in 1965
What is seen as a negative of the Selma March?
The civil rights movement began to split between peace and militant methods
What did the Voting Rights Act 1965 do?
One fair national voting test, banned states from setting own voting qualificationd and appointed federal examiners to supervise voter registration
What was the Nation of Islam?
A black nationalist group
Why was Malcolm X critical of Martin Luther King?
He believed King was attempting to please white people and African Americans should fight for their freedoms by any means necessary.
