History - Topic 3 USA 1954-75 Flashcards
Describe the significance of the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case.
It declared that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson and setting a precedent for desegregation.
Define the Montgomery Bus Boycott and its impact.
A protest from 1955 to 1956 where African Americans in Montgomery, Alabama, boycotted public buses to fight against segregated seating, led by Martin Luther King Jr.
How did the Civil Rights Act of 1964 change public life in America?
It outlawed segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
Explain the achievements of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
It banned racial discrimination in voting practices, removing barriers like literacy tests and poll taxes that prevented African Americans from voting.
Describe the Selma to Montgomery March and its significance.
A series of marches in 1965 to protest voting rights suppression; it became a pivotal moment leading to the Voting Rights Act.
What was the outcome of the Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court case in 1967?
It struck down laws banning interracial marriage, ruling that such laws violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
Define the Fair Housing Act of 1968 and its importance.
It prohibited discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, and later, gender and disability.
How did Freedom Summer in 1964 aim to impact voter registration?
It was a campaign to register African American voters in Mississippi, marked by violence and the murder of three civil rights workers.
Describe the role of Martin Luther King Jr. in the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
He led the boycott, which was a significant protest against segregated seating on public buses.
Describe the significance of Martin Luther King Jr. in the Civil Rights Movement.
He was a leader who advocated for nonviolent resistance and delivered the famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.
Define the impact of Rosa Parks’ actions in 1955.
Her refusal to give up her bus seat sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement.
How did Malcolm X’s views evolve during his activism?
Initially advocating for Black empowerment and self-defense as a member of the Nation of Islam, he adopted a broader perspective after his pilgrimage to Mecca.
Explain the significance of Medgar Evers’ assassination in 1963.
His murder highlighted the dangers faced by civil rights activists and underscored the violent resistance to the movement.
What was Thurgood Marshall’s contribution to civil rights and the judiciary?
He argued the Brown v. Board of Education case and later became the first African American Supreme Court Justice.
Identify John Lewis’ role in the Civil Rights Movement.
He was a leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and a key figure in the Selma March, later serving in the U.S. Congress.
Describe Ella Baker’s approach to civil rights activism.
She advocated for grassroots organizing and youth leadership, helping to found the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).
Explain the role of the NAACP in the Civil Rights Movement.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People used legal challenges to fight segregation and discrimination.
How did the actions of civil rights leaders influence public perception of racial equality?
Their advocacy and activism brought national attention to issues of segregation and discrimination, fostering a greater awareness and push for change.
Describe the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).
An organization founded in 1957 by Martin Luther King Jr. and other ministers to coordinate nonviolent civil rights activities.
Define the role of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).
A group founded by young activists in 1960 that played a major role in sit-ins, Freedom Rides, and voter registration drives.
How did the Black Panther Party aim to support Black communities?
A militant group founded in 1966 that aimed to protect Black communities and advocated for self-defense, community programs, and Black empowerment.
What was the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) known for?
An organization that used nonviolent protests to challenge segregation, instrumental in the Freedom Rides and the March on Washington.
Explain the significance of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963.
It drew over 250,000 people advocating for civil and economic rights, where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.
Describe the Freedom Rides of 1961.
Integrated bus rides through the South to challenge segregated bus terminals, met with violent resistance but led to enforcement of desegregation laws.
