Congress and Supreme Court

Question 1

Congress
Reconstruction
4 points

Answer 1

1. leading role in progressing civil rights during Reconstruction
   Radical Republicans put forward programme of reform not equalled till 1960s
2. 1870’s onwards little action
   power of southern democrats who’d been given control of Southern racial policy
3. Hayes-Tilden Compromise 1877
   all federal troops leave south ending Reconstruction
   (started reconstruction and brought it to an end)
4. laid basis for Civil Rights

Question 2

Congress
after Reconstruction
5 points

Answer 2

1. Southern members of Congress barrier to reforms in civil rights until 1960s
2. made it hard for presidents to consider comprehensive Civil Rights legislation
3. wave of sympathy following Kennedy’s assassination = more support for his ideals
4. Johnson persuades Congress to pass key civil rights legislation
5. authority of Congress behind changes of 1960s. previous changes came about as a result of executive orders e.g. desegregation of armed forces by Truman 1948

Question 3

The Supreme Court

4 points

Answer 3

1. early period major role in supporting racial discrimination and segregation
   Plessy v Ferguson 1896 - allows segregation
2. landmark ruling Brown v Board of Education 1954 declared segregation in education illegal
   concept of ‘separate but equal’ facilities was unequal
3. 1950s stance of SC against segregation pushed president and administration into action
   gave legal basis for increased demands for civil and political equality
4. series of decisions in 1960s and 70s
   against segregation on interstate bus travel 1960,
   supporting bussing of AA children into white schools 1971
   opposing employment discrimination 1971

Question 4

Little Rock 1957

3 points

Answer 4

1. opposition to court ruling by state of Arkansas
2. provoked return to implementation of reform by federal armed forces that Grant had promoted
3. had not been carried out since 1870s