How important were organisations in achieving civil rights? Flashcards
1
Q
Important achieving political rights [4]
A
- NAACP: achieving SC court ruling in 1944 Smith v Allwright - illegal to deny AA right to vote in primary elections
- SCLC + SNCC + CORE = Selma to Montgomery 1965 -> CRA 65’ wasn’t just King.
Organizations forced Johnson to act through proving it was a necessity to pass - Used media to great effect. - Rainbow/PUSH helps Jesse Jackson - Democratic candidate in 1984 & 1988
2
Q
Other aspects not important in achieving political rights [4]
A
- 15th Amendment - driven by Congress BUT Reconstruction a failure
- CRA 57 & 60 - AA right to vote set down in law but ignored in the South
- Not until SELMA was Fed Gov forced to take action - shows important of organisations
- Progress maintained due to liberal 1980s Congress e.g. strengthened VRA 1982 w/ stronger penalties against discrimination -> didn’t need organisations - momentum started in 50s/60s and continued due to changing society
3
Q
Important in improving social situation [2]
A
- NAACP: achieved 1954 Brown v. Board + helped organize 1955 bus boycott w/ Rosa Parks
- SCLC + SNCC+ CORE: March on Washington 1963 & Birmingham 1963 = huge success -> gained maximum publicity from media forcing Kennedy to act
4
Q
Organisations Not important in improving social situation [4]
A
Militant Org: Black Panthers + Nation of Islam + SNCC post-65
- Hindered progress due to their militant approach causing white backlash
- Didn’t attract large membership + were Communists (Black Panthers)
- Federal Gov fights against SNCC post-65 - CIA & FBI
- Johnson was responsible for passing the CRA - putting it in legislation (But needed white Amercian support from orgs)
5
Q
Important in improving economic situation [3]
A
- Nation of Islam: Inspired self-help through creating businesses in ghettos
- SCLC: Poor People’s Campaign 1968 - plans made but not able to be put in place due to King’s assassination
- Black Panthers: Breakfast program, legal representation = attention brought to urban poverty
6
Q
Organisations not important in improving economic situation [3]
A
- Once MLK died SCLC fizzled out = shows his individual importance depended on success
Willing President important:
- Nixon: Affirmative Action & Economic Opportunity Act 1972, helped by SC = Griggs v. Duke Power Company 1971
- Reagan’s slowing down of progress shows how important it was to have a willing president.
7
Q
Judgement in importance of organisations in achieving civil rights [3]
A
- Critical in 1950’s and 60’s -> FG and media helped promote better civil rights
- More extreme views post-65 & MLK’s death hindered FG progress, especially with Reagan
- Overall orgs. forced the gov to tackle Jim Crow Laws that overturned Reconstruction progress, making FG face up to its responsibilities + fufill equality made in 14th and 15th Amendments - therefore they were hugely important.
8
Q
Example questions
A
‘The formation of the NAACP was the major turning point in the development of civil rights protest’ How far do you agree with this statement?
‘Assess the importance of the pro-civil rights groups in achieving progress for AA’s in the period 1865-1992’
9
Q
NAACP [4]
A
- Formed in 1909, leadership included W.E.B Du Bois
- Mainly focused on legal challenges to segregation
- 1917 prevented the enforced segregation of African Americans into separate residential districts
- Achieved Brown v Board of Education 1954
10
Q
CORE [4]
A
- Established in 1942
- Dominated by white members & challenged segregation directly
- Introduced Freedom Rides in 1947
- Provoked violence in 1961 and led to Kennedy authorising the desegregation of interstate transport
11
Q
SCLC [4]
A
- Emerged from local groups organising Montgomery bus boycott 1957
- Led by MLK, using mass demonstrations
- Cumulated in the march on Washington 1963
- Important in gaining the attention of the media: Birmingham, Alabama
