Key Events Flashcards
American Civil War
Date
1861-1865
American Civil War
What Happened
The United States was split into two: The Union (North, Led by Abraham Lincoln, wanted to abolish slavery) and the Confederacy (South, led by Jefferson Davis, wanted to keep slavery). At the end of the Civil War, the Union won and Lincoln became the 16th President of the USA and abolished slavery. However, African-Americans didn’t get equal rights.
Emancipation Proclamation
Date
1st January 1863
Emancipation Proclamation
What Happened
Abraham Lincoln created the Emancipation Proclamation during the Civil War. It declared that all slaves in the Union would be free. It did not apply to slaves in the Confederacy states
Brown vs Board of Education
Date
17th May 1954
Brown vs Board of Education
What Happened
The Supreme Court rules that the segregation of schools is unconstitutional. But in 1951 the Kansas school system refused to enrol Oliver Brown’s daughter, requiring her to go to a black segregated school far away, riding a segregated school bus. This resulted in Brown filing a lawsuit against the school.
Central High School, Little Rock
Year
1957
Central High School, Little Rock
What Happened
A group of nine Black American students enrolled at white school Little Rock high School, when it was chosen for integration.. When they arrived on Day 2, a white mob threw stones and shouted death threats at the student. The National Guard was sent by a governor of Arkansas to block the school entrance and defy the order to desegregate. Due to this, the 101st Airborne Division was sent to put the National Guard under federal command. The group of students continued with their studies, but were subject to physical and verbal attacks throughout their schooling.
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Date
1st December 1955-20th December 1956
Montgomery Bus Boycott
What Happened
Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man. This caused her to be arrested and fined. This sparked the bus boycott, where the majority of Black Americans gave up buses and opted for walking and carpooling. It caused the bus company to lose 65% of profits. When the case was taken to court, it was ruled by the Supreme Court in December 1956 that segregation on public transport was unconstitutional.
Greensboro Four and Sit-In Movement
Date
February 1960
Greensboro Four and Sit-In Movement
What Happened
Four students wanted to protest against a segregated lunch counter in North Carolina. They entered a Woolworth’s general store on the 1st February and sat at a ‘whites-only’ counter and politely requested service which was refused. The manager contacted the police but they were unable to do anything as they were paying customers. The protest gradually expanded and by the 3rd-4th, protesters filled all the available seats and were outside the store. As a result, other sit-ins took place and soon dining places were integrated.
Birmingham Campaign
Date
April 1963
Birmingham Campaign
What Happened
MLK and other activist groups organised a protest, by participating in marches, and targeting businesses during the Easter season with boycotts. On the 10th, an injunction was also received but ignored. From 12-20th April MLK was arrested after violating the injunction.On 2nd May, more than 1000 Black students marched into downtown Birmingham and local police and fire departments
