Eisenhower Domestic Flashcards
What were the Jim Crow laws and how did they affect African Americans
The Jim Crow laws mandated racial segregation in the South. These laws created separate facilities for Black and White people in public spaces such as schools, buses, and cafes. Though intended to be “separate but equal,” in practice, the facilities for African Americans were inferior.
How did the Ku Klux Klan influence racial dynamics in America during the 1920s?
The Klan experienced a resurgence during the 1910s-1920s, fueled by relaxed immigration controls. They advocated for white supremacy, targeting African Americans, immigrants, Catholics, and Jews. They used violence, including lynching, tarring and feathering, and public beatings. Despite their violent actions, the Klan had significant political influence, with members in key positions like judges and congressmen.
How did World War II contribute to the growth of the Civil Rights Movement?
After WW2, Black Americans who fought abroad did not face segregation and were exposed to more equality. Back home, the war created new job opportunities, especially in government-owned factories, where segregation was illegal. The post-war period saw a significant rise in NAACP membership, and white attitudes toward racial equality began to shift.
What was the outcome of the Brown v. Board of Education case, and why was it significant?
A: In 1954, the Supreme Court ruled that segregated schools were unconstitutional, declaring that “separate but equal” facilities were inherently unequal. Despite this, many southern states resisted integration, and by 1956, no black children attended all-white schools in six Southern states.
What prompted the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and what was its outcome
The boycott began after Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man on December 1, 1955, in violation of segregation laws. She was arrested and fined. In response, Martin Luther King Jr. and others organized a boycott that lasted 18 months. In November 1956, the Supreme Court ruled that bus segregation was unconstitutional.
What were the lunch counter sit-ins, and who organized them?
1960
The Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) organized peaceful sit-ins at Woolworths lunch counters, where segregation was common. Activists, both Black and White, would sit at “white” tables, demanding desegregation. These sit-ins were part of a larger movement for civil rights and equality in public spaces.
How did the Little Rock crisis illustrate the challenges of school desegregation?
In 1957, nine Black students attempted to attend Little Rock Central High School after the Brown ruling. The governor used the National Guard to block their entry. In response, President Eisenhower sent 1,000 federal paratroopers to protect the students from violent mobs for the next year, ensuring their right to attend.
What did the Civil Rights Act of 1957 achieve
The Civil Rights Act of 1957 made it illegal to discriminate in voting. It was the first civil rights legislation since Reconstruction, and although it lacked strong enforcement provisions, it marked a significant step toward dismantling racial barriers.
What were Eisenhower’s aims and attitudes towards civil rights?
Eisenhower was a moderate Republican who prioritized not upsetting conservative voters, yet he reaffirmed Truman’s commitment to racial equality. He desegregated the military and federal facilities but was more concerned with foreign perceptions than advancing domestic civil rights, often not pushing for stronger reforms.
What actions did Eisenhower take regarding civil rights during his presidency?
Eisenhower worked to uphold desegregation measures such as Truman’s military desegregation policies and ensured non-discrimination in federal government contracts. However, his efforts were limited, with his President’s Committee on Government Contracts lacking strong enforcement powers.
Why did Eisenhower avoid pushing for significant civil rights reforms
Eisenhower was concerned about alienating Southern conservatives and didn’t want to upset his political base. Although he endorsed desegregation measures, his commitment was often tepid, and he did not push for large-scale changes, prioritizing international relations and political stability.
What were the Jim Crow laws, and how did they impact African Americans?
The Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation in the Southern United States, particularly in public spaces such as schools, buses, and cafes. While they were meant to provide “separate but equal” facilities, in practice, these laws created grossly inferior conditions for African Americans and fostered a culture of racism and discrimination.
How did the Ku Klux Klan affect racial relations in the early 20th century?
The Ku Klux Klan experienced a resurgence during the 1910s-1920s, fueled by relaxed immigration laws. The Klan promoted white supremacy, targeting Black people, immigrants, Catholics, and Jews. They engaged in violence, including lynching, tarring and feathering, and public beatings, and had significant political influence through members in powerful positions.
How did World War II affect race relations in the North and South?
During WWII, Black Americans fought abroad without facing segregation and encountered more equal treatment. At home, they found new job opportunities in government-owned factories, where segregation was illegal. This led to a shift in attitudes toward African Americans, particularly in the North, though de facto segregation still persisted there.
How did the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) grow after World War II?
After WWII, the NAACP saw a tenfold increase in membership, largely due to the changing attitudes of white Americans toward racial equality, as well as the organization’s efforts to challenge segregation and discrimination. The war had helped expose the contradictions between fighting for freedom abroad while denying it to African Americans at home.
How did Southern states react to the Brown v. Board of Education ruling?
Despite the ruling, many Southern states resisted desegregation. By 1956, no Black children attended all-white schools in six Southern states. Resistance included state laws and policies aimed at circumventing or delaying integration efforts, demonstrating the challenges of enforcing the Supreme Court’s decision.
How did the Montgomery Bus Boycott begin, and what was its result?
The Montgomery Bus Boycott began on December 1, 1955, when Rosa Parks, an African American woman, refused to give up her seat to a white man on a segregated bus. Her arrest sparked a boycott organized by Martin Luther King Jr. and others, which lasted 18 months. The boycott ended in November 1956 when the Supreme Court ruled that bus segregation was unconstitutional.
What were the lunch counter sit-ins, and what impact did they have on segregation?
The lunch counter sit-ins were organized by the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) in 1960. African American protesters sat at “white” lunch counters in segregated stores like Woolworths, demanding to be served. These sit-ins spread to cities across the country and became a key tactic in the struggle for desegregation in public places
How did President Eisenhower respond to the Little Rock Crisis in 1957?
The Little Rock Crisis began when the governor of Arkansas used the National Guard to prevent nine Black students from enrolling at Little Rock Central High School, despite the Brown v. Board of Education ruling. In response, President Eisenhower sent 1,000 federal paratroopers to ensure the students’ safety and enforce desegregation. This marked a significant federal intervention in the Civil Rights Movement.
What were the key provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1957, and how effective was it?
The Civil Rights Act of 1957 was the first significant civil rights legislation since Reconstruction. It aimed to protect voting rights by creating a federal oversight mechanism to monitor voting practices. However, its impact was limited by weak enforcement measures, and it did not fully address issues like school desegregation or broader racial inequality.
What were President Eisenhower’s attitudes and policies towards civil rights?
Eisenhower was a moderate Republican who prioritized maintaining the support of conservative voters, particularly in the South. While he reaffirmed Truman’s desegregation measures in the military and federal facilities, he was often reluctant to push for bold civil rights reforms. His administration’s actions were more focused on international diplomacy than on deeply addressing racial inequality at home.
What was Eisenhower’s stance on military desegregation, and what actions did he take?
Eisenhower confirmed Truman’s decision to desegregate the military but faced resistance, as African Americans in the armed forces still faced unequal treatment, particularly in promotions. Nevertheless, Eisenhower’s administration continued to support desegregation efforts in the military, albeit at a slow pace.
What role did the President’s Committee on Government Contracts play in civil rights under Eisenhower?
The President’s Committee on Government Contracts was established to ensure that federal contractors adhered to non-discrimination policies. However, the committee lacked the authority or teeth to enforce its guidelines, and as a result, its impact on addressing civil rights issues was minimal.
Why did Eisenhower avoid more aggressive civil rights legislation during his presidency?
Eisenhower was concerned about upsetting conservative Southern voters, a key part of his political base. As a result, while he made symbolic gestures toward civil rights, such as endorsing desegregation in the military and federal facilities, his actions were largely cautious and incremental, focusing more on foreign policy and Cold War concerns.
