Issue 6 (Effecitveness of the Civil Rights Movement) Flashcards
Intro
The Civil Rights movement aimed to bring about equality in law to all black Americans. with the passing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964 followed by a Voting Rights Act a year later it appeared that the Civil Rights movement had achieved its aims. However, for many black Americans forced to live in the ghetto areas in the cities of the North and West inequality still remained.
This essay will argue that The rise of Black Radicals, The role of Martin Luther King, and Changes in Federal Policy all were effective of meeting the needs of all black Americans up to 1968, to a certain extent.
The Rise of Black Radicals
Knowledge
Due to violence towards the blacks many question Kings non-violence methods. Malcom X was a black activist and preached violence when necessary and operation between black and whites. Was popular in North as he drew attention to poverty and crime.
X believed blacks should fight for their freedom, non-violence was another word for defenceless. Blacks felt empowered by X as they were taking back their power not not ignoring whites actions. however, due to extreme actions media withdrew support from the CRM.
The Rise of Black Radicals
Analysis
Stokely Carmichael was the president of SNCC, but moved away as he want a more violent approach. he created the black panthers, who were known for their violence by protecting themselves from the whites. attracted attention and supporters and made blacks feel proud to be black.
The Rise of Black Radicals
Analysis +
Carmichael and X finally gave support to those in the North who had perviously had non. The empowerment blacks were now experiencing through violence made them for the first time take direction of their own lives.
The Rise of Black Radicals
Evaluation
Negative publicity they received prevented the media to focus on the positive work the CVM achieved so no influencing of positively for blacks in the North. didn’t meet the needs.
The Role of Martin Luther King
Knowledge
Due to the 1964 CRA that gave blacks the right to vote MLK realised that if more blacks register then they could have more power over the political decisions.
Early 65 King organised a march through Selma and Alabama for voting rights, March was banned via authorities but 600 went forwards anyways. they got brutally attacked. The media was present and called in ‘bloody Sunday’ this shocked the public as whites were attacking peaceful protesters
President stepped in and defend black voting rights for the first time.
The Role of Martin Luther King
Analysis
in 63 King stages a march through Washington over 250,000 people blacks and whites. Huge publicity forced Kennedy to sing the CRA of 64, made it illegal to discriminate for housing and employment.
The Role of Martin Luther King
Analysis +
King focused of changing issues in the South so the Northern Black Americans were still suffering and noting was changing.
The Role of Martin Luther King
Evaluation
The act he helped to achieve didn’t help to challenge poverty that those who were black in the North faced so they were still being discriminated against. Didn’t meet the needs of all Black Americans.
Changes in Federal Policy
Knowledge
After the march in Washington Kennedy came forward and stated his plan was to make segregation illegal in public places by asking congress to pass a Civil Rights Bill. this became the Civil Rights Act of 64.
CRA made segregation on the grounds of race, religion or national origin banned in employment and all public places. this was the most significant piece of legislation in improving lives for blacks due to benign racial discrimination.
Changes in Federal Policy
Analysis
57 CRA which was the First Nation-wide law that could override state laws in favour of the blacks. Southerns couldn’t ignore the laws as federal which officially made it illegal to stop blacks from voting. blacks could now get fair rights as they choose who represents them.
Changes in Federal Policy
Analysis +
59 not a single black voter was added to the register. most Southern states didn’t enforce the law heavily as they seen it as being a little more than generous to the blacks.
Changes in Federal Policy
Evaluation
laws weren’t enforced or broad enough for blacks to achieve gains, left blacks being discriminated against. Didn’t meet the needs.
Conclusion
BR - wanted to fight back, gave blacks more power than ever,
MLK - Washington brought thousands of supporters as well as gained presidential support.
CFP - 57 CRA first law in favour to blacks, was nationwide, south had to enforce it.
BR- negative publicity overrides positive work done by blacks.
MLK - Only in South had no impact of the North.
CFP - 57 wasn’t heavily enforce in Southern states, act barley improved lives.
Not one single improvement met the needs of all black Americans it was a collective of each factor that allowed most needs to be met. by 64 not all needs were met.
