key events under the presidents Flashcards
When was Lincoln president? Was he democrat or republican?
-1861-1865
-republican
What things happened during Lincoln’s presidency?
13th Amendment 1865
What was the 13th Amendment? When?
1865 (Lincoln)
-freed enslaved people
-southern states refused to ratify refused->violence and murder was rife
When was Andrew Johnson president? Was he democrat or republican?
-1865-1869
-democrat
What things happened under Andrew Johnson’s presidency?
-Black codes 1865
-Johnson’s plan
-Freedmen’s Bureau 1865
-Civil Rights Act 1866
-Frederick Douglass
-14th Amendment 1868
What were Black Codes? When?
-1865 (Johnson)
-precursor to the Jim Crow laws
-allowed African Americans to own property, draw up contracts, sue, attend school and marry
-forbade voting, serving on a jury (meant they couldn’t stand up for themselves), giving evidence against a white person, carrying arms and marrying a white person->no justice
What was the 14th Amendment? When?
1868 (Johnson)
-gave AAs equal protection under the law and citizenship
What was the Civil Rights act of 1866?
-all people born in the USA were given equal citizen rights-> had little effect
What was Johnson’s plan?
-help AAs integrate into society without congress support ->but had to decide to integrate the country or AAs-> picked country
What was the Freedmen’s Bureau? When?
-1865 (Johnson)
-wanted to improve the social status of AAs->but limited to 1 agent per 10,000-20,000 men and education was the key priority
-shut down in 1872
Who was Frederick Douglass?
-activist during Johnson’s presidency
-became a prominent activist in the Abolition movement->sought to end slavery before and during the Civil War->wanted to educate other enslaved people and urged black people to stick with the Republican Party->after the 13th Amendment he continued to push for equality
When was Ulysses Grant president? Was he democrat or republican?
-1869-1877
-republican
What things happened during Ulysses Grant’s presidency?
-15th Amendment 1870
-KKK Act 1871
-Civil Rights Act 1875
-Sharecropping 1865-1877
-Slaughterhouse Case 1873
-Ida B Wells
What was the 15th Amendment Act? When?
-1870 (Grant)
-gives vote to any man-> Understanding Clause, Literacy Tests, Poll Tax, Grandfather Clause
What was the KKK Act? When?
-1871 (Grant)
-made it an offence for two or more persons to deprive citizens to protection of the law, banned the Klan-> still violence
What was another name for the KKK Act?
3rd Enforcement Act
What was the Civil Rights Act of 1875?
-all citizens equally able to access accommodation etc-> had little effect-> declared unconstitutional in 1883
What was Sharecropping? When?
-1865-1877 (Grant)
-where the landlord allows a tenant to use the land in exchange for a share of the crop->had a job->get stuck into a cycle of debt which kept AAs in poverty
What was the Slaughterhouse Case? When?
-1873 (Grant)
-state rights can overrule the federal (central) government rights and laws->sets a precedent->future judgements or decisions have to align with it->it would be easier to adapt laws in different states->affected African Americans->would lead to more oppression
Who was Ida B Wells?
-activist
-refused to give up her train car seat
-her campaign against violence and for equality laid the groundwork for the revolutionary Civil Rights Movement, yet most of her efforts were for a long time largely unknown due to the fact that she was African American and a woman
When was Cleveland first presidency? Was he democrat or republican?
-1885-1889
-democrat
What things happened under Cleveland’s first presidency?
-Jim Crow Laws (early) 1870
What were the Jim Crow laws? When?
-early 1870s
-introducing formal segregation of races on trains, 3 extended this to waiting rooms->this re-enforced school segregation which was now common across the South
When did Cleveland serve another term as president?
1893-1897
What things happened under Cleveland’s second term?
-Plessy vs Ferguson 1896
-Homer Plessy
-Booker T Washington
-Marcus Garvey
What was Plessy vs Ferguson? When?
-resulted in ‘separate but equal’
-1896 (Cleveland)
Who was Homer Plessy?
-wanted to test the legality of Southern State Law
-he proved that the Federal Law and Supreme Court would not challenge State laws even if discriminatory->he bought a first class ticket and refused to get out when asked->jailed
-not very effective as it resulted in the ‘separate but equal’ belief which further marginalised African Americans
What did Booker T Washington do during Cleveland’s presidency?
-gave a speech known as the ‘Atlanta Compromise’ as lynching’s in the South reached a peak in 1895->this outlined his activism focus ->he detailed how he didn’t believe in challenging the Jim Crow Laws
Who was Marcus Garvey? What did he do?
-advocated for ‘separate but equal’
-wanted AAs to have a separate state in West Africa
-founded the Black Star Line->he was declared as Provisional President of Africa
-founded the African communities league-> was a community of Black Nationalists
-failed to realise his plans of making an Afro-centric nation
When was Teddy Roosevelt president? Was he democrat or republican?
-1901-1909
-republican
What was Teddy Roosevelt’s support of AAs like?
met with Booker T Washington
What things happened during Teddy Roosevelt’s presidency?
-NAACP 1909
-Booker T Washington
-Du Bois
What was the NAACP? When?
-1909 (Roosevelt)
-Believing the races should live, work and be educated together; defended those accused of rioting but non-violent organisation; lobbying rather than mass action was the central policy.
-membership increased post 1915 (due to war)
What did Booker T Washington do during Teddy Roosevelt’s presidency?
-was a key proponent of African-American businesses and a founding member of the National Negro Business League, established in Boston in 1900->was seen as too accommodationist and unpopular with other activists such as Trotter and Du Bois but he was popular among white politicians->met with Roosevelt which shows he had potential->died really young (1915)
What did Du Bois do during Teddy Roosevelt’s presidency?
-1905 he led the Niagara Movement which was dedicated to attacking the platform of Booker T. Washington
What was the Niagara Movement which Du Bois led in 1905?
the Niagara Movement served as an inspiration for the creation of the NAACP in 1909,where he became the association’s director of research and editor of its magazine,The Crisis
When was Wilson president? Was he democrat or republican?
-1913-1921
-democrat
What things happened under Wilson’s presidency?
-Du Bois and his role in the NAACP
-Red scare
What did Du Bois do during Wilson’s presidency?
his role in the NAACP gave him significant influence as the propagandist for the black protest from 1910 until 1934
What was the impact of the Red Scare during Wilson’s presidency?
-communism rife during this time, caused a greater division between whites and blacks during migration to the north
When was FDR president? Was he democrat or republican?
-1933-1945
-democrat
What was FDR’s support of AAs like?
-subtly supportive of AAs
What things happened during FDR’s presidency?
-New Deal 1933-1938
-Works in Progress Administration (WPA) 1935
-CORE 1942
What was the New Deal? When?
-1933-1938 (FDR)
-to relieve human suffering, promote economic recovery, unemployment relief->wasn’t designed for AAs->limited some -rights further
-Alphabet Agencies->AAA, CCC, TVA
What was the Alphabet Agency AAA?
Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA)
1933:
-Purpose -> used subsidies to regulate farm production
Comments & issues -> disbanded after WW2>impact on rationing up to 1947->agriculture side lined post 1945 as a result of globalisation/ industrialisation
-Impact on AAs -> less production on farms, meant fewer jobs available - impacted mostly AA due to sharecropping - 200,000 sharecroppers were displaced and forced elsewhere for work - Forced to travel to towns for work at a time when jobs were scarce - exposed them to more racism and discrimination
What was the Alphabet Agency CCC?
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
1933:
-Purpose -> provided work for young men aged 18 to 25 paying $30 a month, $25 had to be sent to their families and they stayed in camps organised on military lines ->built things such as recreational facilities
-Issues -> disbanded in 1942
-Impact on AAs -> caused racial segregation
What was the Alphabet Agency TVA?
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
1933:
-Purpose ->-regional planning of a deprived area with, hydro-electricity production, environmental conservatism, flood control and educational and health projects
-Issues -> -still in operation though criticised for its unanticipated environmental impact
-Impact on AAs -> caused racial segregation
What did CORE do and when was it?
-1942 (FDR)
-organised freedom rides, boycotts etc->aimed to remove segregation and have equal job segregation
When was Truman president? Was he democrat or republican?
-1945-1953
-Democrat
How much did Truman support AAs?
did more for AAs
What things happened during Truman’s presidency?
-atomic bomb 1945
-FEPC 1945
-DAR
-‘To secure these rights’ 1947
-Korean War 1950-1953
What was the atomic bomb under Truman? When?
-he dropped the first atomic bomb on 2 Japanese cities
-1945
What was the FEPC and when?
-1945 (Truman)
-to try and achieve fair employment in the defence industry
-limited impact-> congress refused to support further funding of FECP and conservative employees->2/3s of the 8,000 job discrimination cases referred to the FEPC were dismissed and only 1/5 of Southern cases were black victories
What happened with the DAR under what presidency?
-Truman
-refused to allow Clayton Powell’s black musician wife to perform in their hall->asked Truman’s wife to boycott DAR tea but she said no but she supported the cause
What was ‘To secure these rights’? When?
-1947 (Truman)
-a liberal civil rights committee to investigate increasing violence against blacks->anti-lynching, voting rights law, permanent FEPC etc
What happened with the Korean War? When?
-1950-1953 (Truman)
-wanted to end discrimination within the armed forces->great impact - executive order to end discrimination in the armed forces and guarantee fair employment in the civil service->the Korean War sped up the desegregation
When was Eisenhower president? Was he democrat or republican?
-1953-1961
-Republican
What was Eisenhower’s support for AAs like?
-less inclined than Truman to promote civil rights but more turning points happened during his administration than any other
What things happened during Eisenhower’s presidency?
-Brown vs Board 1954
-Emmett Till 1955
-Montgomery Bus Boycotts 1955
Little Rock 1957
-SCLC 1957
-SNCC 1960
What was Brown vs Board? When?
-1954 (Eisenhower)
-overturned Plessy vs Ferguson and symbolised the end of Jim Crow
What happened to Emmett Till? When? What was a result of this?
-1955 (Eisenhower)
-brutally murdered
-his murder droved civil rights progress->international pressure for AA rights
What were the Montgomery Bus Boycotts? When?
-1955 (Eisenhower)
-AAs refused to get on the bus ->peaceful
-leads to Supreme Court ordering desegregation due to Brown vs Board setting a precedent
What was Little Rock? When?
-1957 (Eisenhower)
-group of AA students went to school->violence
-Eisenhower was forced to intervene by sending troops to protect AA students->desegregation of schools
What was the SCLC?
-1957 (Eisenhower)
-MLK led
-aimed to improve the situation of Southern AAs->peaceful
What was the SNCC? When?
-1960 (Eisenhower)
-wanted ordinary people to get involved in civil rights->increasingly militant
When was JFK president? Was he democrat or republican?
-1961-1963
-democrat
What was JFK’s support of AAs like?
-supportive
What things happened under JFK’s presidency?
-Sit ins and Freedom Rides 1961
-Birmingham Protest 1963
-March on Washington 1963
What was the Birmingham Protest? When?
-1963 (JFK)
-MLK led->drew international and national attention due to police’s use of violence
What was the March on Washington? When?
-1963 (JFK)
-rally organised by A Philip Randolf->supported by JFK’s administrative government
When was LBJ president? Was he democrat or republican?
-1963-1969
-republican
What things happened under LBJ’s presidency?
-Civil Rights Act 1964
-Selma March 1965
-Voting Rights Act 1965
-Black Power Movement 1966
-Malcom X
What was the Civil Rights act of 1964? Which president? What doesn’t it mention
-proposed by JFK but he died so LBJ passed it
-FEPC (fair employment) set up on permanent basis->FEPC set up on permanent basis - no racial, sexual or religious discrimination would be lawful
-doesn’t mention voting rights
What was the Selma March and when was it?
-1965 (LBJ)
-used to highlight the issue of voting rights ->MLK led a march from Montgomery to Selma->police attacked->LBJ gave marchers protection
What was the Voting Rights act of 1965 and which president was it under?
-LBJ
-passed very easily with little opposition-> abolished Literacy Tests, Understanding Clauses-> prevented disruption to AAs trying to register
What did the Black power movement cause?
-divisions between white and AAs increased->led to fears and repression
What was the impact of MLK in the Black Power movement? When?
-1976
-MLK was critical of the movement’s failure to see that progress depends on interracial cooperation->diversity of aims was a weakness and the lack of central organisation meant that groups broke away from any organised central movement
-but increased activism, unity and awareness, increased demands from activists, Olympic awareness through black power symbol, increased membership in groups eg black panthers
-increased publicity for new confidence in AA identity
When was the Black Power Movement?
-1966 (LBJ)
-by the mid 1970s the movement ceased to exist
What did Malcom X do? Under what presidency?
-LBJ
-advocated violent activism
-militancy in order to promote faster progress at first->post 1964 (left Nation of Islam) he began promoting racial integration and founded the Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU) advocating for Pan-Africanism
When was Nixon president? Was he democrat or republican?
-1969-1974
-Republican
What was Nixon’s support of AAs like?
-privately racist
-helping people help themselves
What things happened under Nixon’s presidency?
-MLK day
-Equal Employment Opportunity Act 1972
Who opposed MLK Day?
Nixon
What was the Equal Employment Opportunity Act? When?
-1972 (Nixon)
-greater powers of enforcing prosecution against discrimination
When was Ford president? Was he democrat or republican?
-1974-1977
-Republican
What was Ford’s support of AAs like?
-unwilling to commit to further Civil Rights progress but wanted to keep good relations
What things happened under Ford’s presidency?
William T Coleman
Who was William T Coleman?
nominated as first black Secretary of Transport under Ford
When was Carter president? Was he democrat or republican?
-1977-1981
-democrat
What was Carter’s support of AAs like?
-first Southern president since Wilson
What things happened under Carter’s presidency?
-University of California vs Bakke 1978
-Voting Rights Act 1982
What was the University of California vs Bakke? When?
-1978 (Carter)
-Allan Bakke (white) applied to the University of California but got rejected
-people in minority groups were being accepted
-case unconstitutional due to discrimination against non-minority applicants; although race could be used as a plus factor in a candidates favour
What happened to the Voting Rights Act in 1982? By who?
-Carter
-renewed
When was Reagan president? Was he democrat or republican?
-1981-1989
-republican
What was Reagan’s support of AAs like?
-didn’t support federal initiatives to provide blacks with civil rights
What things happened under Reagan’s presidency?
-MLK Day 1983
-Civil Rights Acts 1964 and Voting Rights Act 1965
-Grove City College vs Bell 1984
What happened to MLK Day in 1983? By who?
-Reagan
-opposed at first but signed it only after being encouraged
What did Reagan do about the Civil Rights Acts 1964 and Voting Rights Act 1965?
opposed them
What was Grove City College vs Bell? When?
-1984 (Reagan)
-Supreme Court ruled that only a course receiving a student reliant on federal aid had to comply with anti-discrimination laws, not the whole institution->the passing of the Civil Rights Restoration Act
When was Bush president? Was he democrat or republican?
-1989-1993
-republican
What things happened under Bush’s presidency?
-Rodney King/Los Angeles Riots 1992
-Freedman vs Pitts 1992
What was the Rodney King/Los Angeles riots? When?
-1992 (Bush)
-rioting in LA over outcomes of Rodney King case (victim of police brutality)-> bystanders videoed the incident-> sparked the Los Angeles Riots
What was Freedman vs Pitts? When?
-1992 (Bush)
-Supreme Court supported attacks on school desegregation
Which presents overall hindered AA rights?
-Cleveland
-Nixon
-Carter
-Reagan
-Bush
Which presidents overall helped AA rights?
-Johnson
-Teddy Roosevelt
-FDR
-Truman
-Eisenhower
-JFK
-LBJ
