Hispanic Civil Rights Flashcards
What is the background to the oppression of Hispanic people in the US?
Mexican’s had been oppressed ever since the American Mexican war of 1846-1848, the territories of Texas, California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and Colorado which was ceded through the Treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo which effectively made Mexicans second class citizens.
What was formed once Hispanic people became politically motivated?
The League of United Latin American Citizens was formed in Texas in 1929 and essentially operated in the same style as the NAACP.
Where did Hispanic Americans often live?
Many Puerto Ricans lived in the poor areas of various Northern cities such as Chicago and New York, Cubans in Florida and Mexicans in Texas and California. Mexicans faced the most discrimination as a lot worked on farms which led to them being accused of stealing jobs.
How did segregation effect Hispanic people?
They faced widespread segregation in public facilities which contributed to a sense of prejudice for all Hispanics who were viewed in a lesser and demeaning manner.
What US government initiative worsened the situation for Hispanic People?
There was a system in place known as the Bracero program which pushed for a Mexican immigration drive in which Mexicans would work for a set period of time for guaranteed housing and working conditions. Between 1942 and 1964 over 4.6 million Bracero Contracts were signed.
Who was Cesar Chavez?
He campaigned mainly for workers rights and set up the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) which relied upon non violent and organised strikes, marches, protests and hunger strikes much like Gandhi.
Who were the Brown Berets and Young Lords?
The Brown Berets (founded on 3rd December 1967) were Mexican whilst the Young Lords were Puerto Rican (founded in 1969), they were modelled on the Black Panthers in the sense that they worse uniform, protested police brutality and campaigned to improve conditions for school children.
Who were Lopez Tijerina and Rodolfo Gonzales?
They were more radical members of the Hispanic rights movement and would attack the system of landowners, they were mainly peaceful but would resort to violence if progress wasn’t fast enough.
What was the Community Services Organisation and what did it lead to?
It was founded in 1959 by Edward Roybal in California which in turn led to the creation of the Mexican American Political Association with Roybal as its President. In 1962 Edward Roybal was elected to the House of Representatives.
What was the United Farm Workers?
They were formed in 1962 by Cesar Chavez to improve the wages and conditions of Hispanic Americans working on farms.
What was the Young Chicanos For Community Action?
It was formed in 1967 high school students in Los Angeles, they wore brown berets and fought against police brutality.
What did LBJ found in 1969?
He established the Cabinet Committee on Opportunity for the Spanish Speaking.
What did the NFWA do in 1965?
They held the Delano Grape strike alongside Pilipino Groups to protest the conditions of grape farmers.
What did Luis Valdez set up in 1965?
He set up El Teatro Campesino which was the first farm workers theatre designed to educate workers about their rights.
What did Farm Workers do in 1966?
Farm workers marched 300 miles from Delano to Sacramento, the NFWA and AWOC unite to form the United Farm Workers Organising Committee meanwhile Rodolfo Gonzales formed the Crusade for Justice and students in East LA found Young Citizens for Community Action.
