Freedom Summer Flashcards
What was Freedom Summer?
Freedom Summer, also known as the Mississippi Summer Project, was a 1964 campaign aimed at registering African American voters in Mississippi and increasing awareness of civil rights issues in the South.
When did Freedom Summer take place?
Freedom Summer took place from June to August 1964.
Who organized Freedom Summer?
Freedom Summer was organized by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), and other civil rights groups.
What were the primary goals of Freedom Summer?
The goals were to register African American voters, promote the creation of ‘Freedom Schools’ to educate Black children, and raise awareness about racial inequality in Mississippi.
What were ‘Freedom Schools’?
Freedom Schools were temporary, grassroots schools created during Freedom Summer to teach Black children and adults about their civil rights, history, and political participation.
How did the white community in Mississippi react to Freedom Summer?
Many white Mississippians strongly opposed Freedom Summer, using violence, intimidation, and legal tactics to prevent voter registration and discourage activists.
How many volunteers participated in Freedom Summer?
More than 1,000 volunteers, both Black and white, traveled to Mississippi to support the project.
What was the outcome of Freedom Summer in terms of voter registration?
While Freedom Summer did not result in a large number of immediate voter registrations, it brought national attention to the voter suppression in the South and laid the groundwork for future civil rights victories.
What tragic event occurred during Freedom Summer?
Three civil rights workers—James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner—were murdered by white supremacists in June 1964 while investigating the burning of a Black church in Mississippi.
How did Freedom Summer contribute to the Civil Rights Movement?
Freedom Summer helped galvanize the push for federal voting rights protections, contributing to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Who was Robert Moses?
Robert Moses was a key leader of SNCC and the principal organizer of Freedom Summer, known for his work in organizing voter registration drives in Mississippi.
Who was Fannie Lou Hamer?
Fannie Lou Hamer was a key figure in Freedom Summer and a leading civil rights activist who helped organize voter registration drives and later became a prominent spokesperson for the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party.
Who were James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner?
James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner were three civil rights workers who were murdered by the Ku Klux Klan during Freedom Summer, bringing national attention to the violence faced by activists.
Who was John Lewis?
John Lewis was a prominent leader in SNCC and a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement. Though not directly involved in Freedom Summer, he played a significant role in the broader efforts for voting rights.
Who was Diane Nash?
Diane Nash was a leader in SNCC and a key figure in organizing various civil rights activities, including efforts related to Freedom Summer. She was involved in the nonviolent strategy and fight for racial justice.
