Early Southern Campaigns 55-62 Flashcards
What was the Montgomery bus boycott?
In December 1955, Rosa Parks refused to leave her seat for a white man - she was arrested and fined. This led to the NAACP taking it to court and a campaign of direct action began, boycotting local buses. 381 days later they won there case and could sit anywhere they wanted.
What was Kings Philosophy?
King based his teachings on that i Jesus and the example of Gandhi. He was a well educated middle-class Christian. He believed that Christians should stand up to injustice. He believed Christians should love their enemies and never retaliate. He insisted protests should always be peaceful
What was Browder V. Gayle? (1956)
Made the segregation of buses illegal
Why was the Montgomery bus boycott significant?
- showed the economic power of blacks
- it demonstrated MLK’s leadership qualities
- it demonstrated the power of uniting
what is ‘The Little Rock Campaign’?(1957)
Nine black students were enrolled in an all white high school. The National Guard were called in to refuse them entry. Eisenhower had the National Guards withdrawn, but the white mobs still would not let them enter. The National Guards then protected the students to let them in. The Governor, now out of options shut the school until June 1959 - when it opened as a black and white school.
What was the ‘Greensboro sit-ins’ (1960)?
In February 1960, four local students entered a Woolworth’s in North Carolina and sat in the ‘White-Only’ zone. The next day, it escalated to 27 students, and 300th by the fourth. It was very influential and within a month Sit-ins were in six more states.
Why were the Greensboro Sit ins (1960) so important?
It formed the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). It also showed they could operate effectively, and demonstrated how quickly civil rights campaigns can spread. They showed the economic power of blacks
What were the ‘Freedom Rides’ (1961)?
Designed to turn the de jure victory of Morgan V Virginia into de facto segregation. 7 blacks and 6 whites from CORE and SNCC traveled across America and met violent crowds - there bus was bombed by a white mob and they were beaten with bats - police and medics refused to step in. This violence led to MLK joining in and helping.
Why were the Freedom Rides (1961) so significant?
- They forced Robert Kennedy to enforce desegregation in buses.
- They marked a new high point with co-operation - as now CORE, SNCC and the SCLC have all worked together.
- showed Kennedy was sympathetic towards civil rights
What was the ‘Albany Movement’ (1961- 1962)?
Following the Freedom Rides, the SNCC targeted Albany, Georgia, and organised protests to end segregation. Police Chief Laurier Pritchett studied the strategy of protesters to make sure they wouldn’t get media attention. Protestors were treated with respect and Pritchett got MLK released to avoid attention.
Why was Albany (1961-1962) so significant?
- It showed Peaceful protest didn’t always work
- It led to divisions in the CRM - Radicals in SNCC began to talk about using violence
- King acknowledged his tactics did not work
What happened with James Meredith and the University of Mississippi?
In 1962 Meredith attempted to become the first black student at the University of Mississippi. The Governor refused to allow him entry. The Supreme Court backed Meredith and pressured Barnett to back down and ensure he got enlisted. White protestors reacted badly and Kennedy had to call in National Guards to protect James. 2 died in the Riots, and he graduated with a degree in 63.
