🐻💮🧗‍♂️💘🚺🦅👔 core three: 'US Civil Rights Movement 1945-1968'

Question 1

[Part One],

…. “What was the impact of WW2 on the Civil Rights movement and the treatment of African American soldiers ?”

Answer 1

• segregation of the armed forces
• President Harry Truman formed the first presidential Civil Rights Commission (1946) and desegregated the armed forces (1948)
• WW2 became a ‘catalyst for change’ as many African American soldiers were able to shake off old colonial yokes of the time, emerging into independence whilst fighting in the war.

Question 2

[Part One],

What is Federal vs State?

Answer 2

Where change is introduced at a federal level but not abided by states rights. More predominantly occurred within the South.

Question 3

[Part One],

What was the Plessy vs Ferguson Case, and what did the Supreme Court rule?

Answer 3

Homer Plessy, a New Orleans shoemaker, tested on the constitionality of the segregation laws after boarding on a ‘whites only’ train carriage. The court ruled that segregation is legal but not on social equality terms.. entitling states to segregation but were allowed to do so only if Black people were provided with the equal facility… ‘seperate but equal’ term.

Question 4

[Part One],

What is ‘Sharecropping’ ?

Answer 4

A system which sprung up after the abolishment of Slavery in which black workers were given small areas of land to rent from white people, in return for a share of the crop. White people used it as an ‘ongoing debt’ , a method of economic entrapment.

Question 5

[Part One],

PRACTICE QUESTION: “How did World War two affect African-Americans in the United States?”

Answer 5

African American soldiers made a significant contribution to the American war effort against its enemies during WW2.
Despite a push in democratic war effort, the US back home deprived African-American citizens of equality through segregation and discrimination of their people back home.
Upon fighting in the military, World War II provided the circumstances for African-American vets’ to shake of old colonial yokes of the 18th century and rise into leadership. This sparked a renewed Civil rights campaign when returned home in the 1950s.
+++++++
-segregation and discrimination widespread at every level of society and within the Miltary
-Many moved North for work within Military…
-Civil disobedience and protest increased against discrimination.
-African-American returned to a life of segregation and discrimination after the war which encouraged politcal action.

Question 6

[Part One]

What was the extent of discrimination and forms of segregation within the US at this period?

Answer 6

-federal and state conflict
-Plessy vs Ferguson case of 1896.. Segregation “separate but equal’ ….
Separate but equal doctrine didn’t entirely mean ‘equal’.. as many African-Americans had a lack of protection, access to the same hostility.. (Swimming pools, schools, hospitals, housing and cemeteries for example..)
…..
In the 1950s increased pressure from the NAACP and African-American WW2 veterans, grew an increasing awareness of the United States. It saw president Harry Truman make important legislative changes to provide a measure of equality to Black people, including an end to discrimination within the armed forces and Civil service through desegregation..
-
The American Civil rights movement during the 1950s and 60s united with other protest groups (NAACP,CORE, SCLC,SNCC) to enact peaceful protest and civil disobedience in a nation-wide civil rights campaign to ensure every American could have equal and voting rights under the amendments within the constitution.

Question 7

Other ways in which African American’s were discriminated against..

Answer 7

Lived with substandard facilities, lack of quality treatment from white communities, racism and systemic racism, prejudice, basic voting rights restricted, violence (Lynching etc)…

Question 8

[PART TWO]
The formation and role of groups in support of CR movement + ideas for change…
Who were the main groups?

Answer 8

-The National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP)
-The Congress of Racial Equality (CORE)
-The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)
-The Student Non-Violent Co-ordinating Committee (SNCC)
…
Black Panther’s (Black Panther Party)

Question 9

[P2]NAACP

Answer 9

National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People…

• Formed in 1909
• Aimed at achieving Political and social equality for Black people.. eventually securing the rights guaranteed within the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendment’s to the US constitution..
• to end segregation
• the main group advocating for change

Question 10

[P2] CORE

Answer 10

Congress of National Equality

• An interracial group formed in 1942, in Chicago..
• Gained Recognition when supporting Martin Luther King jnr in the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955…
• Influenced by Ghandai, and established ‘peaceful’ forms of protest (successful at ‘sit-ins’ which later became a campaign blueprint)
• ‘The need for Racial equality groups was not limited to the South’

Question 11

[P2] SCLC

Answer 11

Southern Christian Leadership Conference

• Formed in Atlanta, Georgia on January 1957.. arose out of the Montgomery Bus boycott in 1955…
• They drew on the strength and organisation of Black Churches within the South and the presence of Christianity..
• They drew on these small groups to spread a greater awareness of Civil Rights across a broader area.
• Also focused on peaceful protest.. Non-violence.

Question 12

[P2] SNCC

Answer 12

Student Non-Violent Co-ordinating Committee

• Emerged from Greensboro ‘sit-ins’ in February, 1960.
• Played a key role in driving black voter registration in the South and the Mississippi Freedom Rides
• Ella Baker.. a catalyst…

Question 13

[P2] Black Panther Party

Answer 13

-Political organisation founded in 1966 and challenged police brutality against Black communities.

Question 14

[P2] Ella Baker

‘Outline the main beliefs in her life’

Answer 14

• Her flair for organisation, change and strong Grassroots activism were critical features of her success.

Question 15

[P2} Martin Luther King JNR

‘what are the efforts of MLK in achieving change for African Americans’..??

Answer 15

-Widely recognised as one of the most important leaders of the Civil Rights Movement (The father of CR)
…
An executive of the NAACP and emerged as the visible leader of the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955).
-Leadership of the SCLC in 1957
-In 1963, his famous ‘I have a dream speech’ grew his popularity and galvanised the Civil Rights movement drawing both black and white citizens together… March on Washington.

Question 16

[P2] Method’s employed by the Civil Rights Movement in the United States across the period…

• Local and National boycotts
• Direct action
• Political Agitation

Answer 16

OVERVIEW

-Methods of violence (Black power.. Mexico Olympics.., Malcom X)
-Individuals (Musicians .. Billie Holiday, Sports stars.. Mexico Olympics..)
-Law and Constitutional Rights (The Court System)
-Civil Disobedience (Freedom Rides.. Using segregated areas, Freedom summer….)
-Direct Action (Boycott, sit-ins’, marches)
-Direct Confrontation (demonstrations, Mexico Olympics)
-Non-Violence
(NAACP, SCLC, Martin Luther King jnr)
-Marches (March on Washington)

Question 17

[P2] ‘what are some methods employed by the Civil Rights Movement in the United States in periods 1950-60….??’

Answer 17

The Civil Rights Movement employed many various methods across the United States to agitate for political change for equality and an end to Segregation…
These methods included national marches (March on Washington 1963), protests and boycotts (Montgomery Bus boycott of 1955) of local businesses (Grassroots), restaurants and banks which all employed segregated practices.
-SIT-INS P1
‘Sit-Ins’ where a form of protest aimed to integrate public eating areas pools and other public spaces. The most notable sit-in on February, 1960 at a lunch counter in a North Carolina Woolworth’s was polarised through the media…. 4 black university students sat at a whites only counter… refused service, faced racism and violence… joined by white and black supporters and sparked a movement across the nation.. business desegregated as the sit-in caused the restaurant cost..
P2
- The freedom rides where a form of protest in 1961 which was sparked by the desegregation of public transport… Two integrated buses which traveled into the deep south and used the facilities designated for the opposite race and vice versa.
Anger and violence was met at every stop, in particular, Anniston and Birmingham, Alabama where riders were beaten and forcibly driven off the road..
-Sparked attention from the Kennedy Administration etc..

Question 18

[P2] Sit-ins’ , Greensboro 1960…

Answer 18

‘Sit-Ins’ where a form of protest aimed to integrate public eating areas pools and other public spaces. The most notable sit-in on February, 1960 at a lunch counter in a North Carolina Woolworth’s was polarised through the media…. 4 black university students sat at a whites only counter… refused service, faced racism and violence… joined by white and black supporters and sparked a movement across the nation.. finished in March…. 55 cities, 13 states!!!
- lead to business desegregation as the sit-in caused the restaurant business and money…

Question 19

[P2] Freedom Rides in 1961 **

Answer 19

• The freedom rides where a form of protest in 1961 which was sparked by the desegregation of public transport… Two integrated buses which traveled into the deep south and used the facilities designated for the opposite race and vice versa.
  Anger and violence was met at every stop, in particular, Anniston and Birmingham, Alabama where riders were beaten and forcibly driven off the road..
  -Sparked attention from the Kennedy Administration etc..

Question 20

[P2] Brown vs Board of Education 1954

Answer 20

REGARDED AS THE BEGINNING OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT…
Linda Brown, a student who had to catch a bus across town just to attend her segregated all black school.
In a case against this, the Supreme court ruled that any classification based solely on race (segregation) violated the 14th amendment within the US constitution.
-Its aim was to overturn the Plessy vs Ferguson case in 1896 which made ‘separate but equal’ the accepted practice, especially in education.
-Organisation, NAACP was largely involved in prosecuting the case and Supreme court agreed with the organisations belief that in education, seperate didn’t mean equal.
-‘Not only is Segregation unlawful; it is unamerican’ (Extract from NAACP press release)…
-Supreme court ruled segregation of schools as unconstitutional.

Question 21

[P2] Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955***

Answer 21

• Rosa Parks refused to surrender her seat for a white man resulting in an arrest and fine for ‘not following instructions.
• This effort would initiate a year-long bus boycott in an effort to desegregate public transport
• although not the first, Rosa parks became the perfect candidate to lead to movement.
• Montgomery’s community of Civil Rights movement supporters staged a boycott of public transit, opting those to drive or walk to their destinations.
• IT WAS A PEOPLES MOVEMENT DRIVEN AT A GRASSROOTS LEVEL..
• resulted in beatings, violence job loss and harassments…
• 40 000 people participated in the boycott.
• MLK was a supporter who assisted in spreading awareness so that it gained recognition in both the South and Northern States.

Question 22

[P2] Little Rock Nine 1957*****

Answer 22

• After Board vs Brown Education.. schools were told to desegregate but refused to comply..
• Schools no longer were to be ‘separate but equal’
• Little Rock High School was desegregated in 1957 than most southern schools.
• On the first day of classes, The government of Arkansas called in the National Guard to prevent the students from entering .
• Elizabeth Eckford walked alone faced hatred.. spitting… verbal abuse…
• A DEFINING MOMENT IN CIVIL RIGHTS HISTORY..
• Refused entry by the national guard.
• Wasn’t until later in the month that the president Eisenhower intervened by sending in 1000 troops to allow the students to enter and protect them.
• Event called frequent rallies, riots and demonstrations against desegregation

Question 23

[P2] March on Washington 1963 ***

Answer 23

PLANNING THE MARCH:
-all major Civil Rights groups agreed to participate in the march.
THE MARCH:
-A total of 250 000 joined the march from across the nation and assembled in front of the Lincoln Memorial
-The March had speeches and Musical acts (Bob Dylan)
-Martin Luther King jnr representing the SCLC gave his ‘I have a dream speech’
-The march cemented King’s position as the spokesperson for the Civil Rights Movement, securing the continuation of his non-violent approach and won the support of many white Americans.

Question 24

[P2] Freedom Summer Mississippi 1964 **

Answer 24

• The formation of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic party was to be a desegregated party to promote civil rights. Also called the Mississippi freedom project.. aimed to register as many black voters as possible…
• Movement organised by organisations such as the SNCC and the CORE to further spread awareness of this new party.
• In the early campaign, 2 CORE members and a volunteer where pulled over for alleged speeding by local sheriff (who was a member of the KKK). Later took custody of the men and took them to a clan member who beat the only black member of the group and shot the other two.
• Wasn’t until 2005 where the perpetrators were convicted.
• These are the Mississippi Burning Murders.. Another influential reason on the public’s view of CR
• Played a massive role in the 1965 Voting Rights act through congress.

Question 25

Martin Luther King Jnr…

Answer 25

BELIEF’S
- The main, key idea for racial equality is non-violence. ; rejecting the use of violent actions as a form of protest, preaching non-violent protest methods.
AIMS
-Based on the principles of Ghandi, peaceful methods were a major influence on society and the Civil Rights movement.
METHODS
-Greatly responsible for passing the Civil Rights Act (1964) and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
-Both of these acts changed American law so African American’s aren’t treated differently based off of race.
-His speeches and involvement within Civil Rights groups where an inspiration for those involved in international justice.
-Influenced internationally, especially in South Africa’s apartheid system and struggle for Indigenous recognition in Australia within this similar time period.

Question 26

Malcom X..

Answer 26

BELIEF’S
-Approached the fight for Civil Rights in a completely different manner to MLK.
-Malcom followed the teachings of Islam and the Muslim religion.
AIMS
-While MLK preached non-violent protest.. Malcom X advocated ‘black-power’
-Studied Black supremacy and the need of separation between Black people and White people.
-Believed equality wasn’t possible as White people had no moral conscious and wouldn’t guinely work to achieve equal rights.
METHODS
-A more physical approach.. Taught those to ‘fight back’ and be more physical.
-Black power, symbols (Mexico Olympics)..

Question 27

Mexico Olympics… Analyze the significance of the Mexico Olympics..

Answer 27

The television of the Mexico Olympics provided an international platform for Smith and Carlos (African-American Athletes competing at the Olympics) enacting a salute to the human rights activism and Civil Rights movement occuring in America at the time.
Both Smith and Carlos when receiving Gold and Bronze rose their right fist in solidarity and protest as a ‘black power’ salute.
-an example of combining non-violent protest acts and direct confrontation of authority.
-Both expelled from the Olympics

Question 28

Assassination of MLK jnr

Answer 28

Anti Civil Rights groups (KKK and WCC) believed in ‘white supremacy’ and the desire to maintain and support history.
KKK
-1st wave occured after the Civil War and after the 14th ammendment.
-they largely relied on fear and violence during this age
-2nd wave began in 1915 in response to ‘a birth of a nation’