Late Civil Rights Campaigning Flashcards
Why was Birmingham, Alabama, targetted in 1963?
- Eugene ‘Bull’ Connor had showed himself to be violent during Freedom Rides.
- City was one of the worst for segregation: no black police, bankers, fire-fighters, or bus drivers, and only 10% registered to vote, NAACP banned.
How did Birmingham start out?
Initially Bull Connor changed tactics, releasing jazz musician campaigner Al Hibbler and obtaining court injunctions to weaken protest. MLK was imprisoned and he wrote his Letter From Birmingham Jail claiming that civil disobedience was needed for change. In April 1963 the protest was calm so James Bevel of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference requested use of young people and students.
How did Birmingham progress?
On 3 May, student demonstrators began to taunt police leading to 1300 black children being imprisoned and police using high pressure fire hoses. President JFK was sickened and Soviets denoted 1/5 of radio airtime to protest. He committed to a bill to end segregation.
What were results of Birmingham?
SCLC and city authorities began negotiations on 5 May and civil rights protesters would be released, large department stores desegregated, and racial discrimination in employment ended. However, most areas remained segregated including schools and four months later the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church was bombed by the KKK killing four young girls. King and SCLC criticised for ignoring initiatives such as boycotts of stores and for putting kids in danger.
Outline 1963 March on Washington.
March on centenary of Emancipation Proclamation. King organised march under slogan ‘for Jobs and Freedom.’ Kennedy feared violence would erupt and harm legislation but King ensured nonviolence and 20% of marchers were white. On 28 Aug 250,000 people marched to Lincoln Memorial to hear speeches from leading civil rights members.
Why was Mississippi picked for Freedom Summer 1964?
Greenwood, Mississippi, targeted as 6.2% of black people registered to vote in 1962. 800 volunteers from North participated with attempts to escort black Americans to registration offices and 30 Freedom Schools set by SNCC and CORE to educate black citizens on civil rights and black history.
How did authorities respond to Mississippi Freedom Summer?
KKK and state police resisted with 30 black homes and 37 churches bombed, alongside a thousand arrests, 80 beatings, and 35 shootings. In June Klansmen killed 2 white campaigners and one black and weren’t found guilty. 17,000 black people tried to register to vote but intimidation meant only 1600 succeeded.
What inspired MFDP formation?
Black people were turned away from polling stations during the Democratic Primary for the election of 1964. The Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, MFDP, formed as a result. This resulted in two elections with both primaries electing delegates to the Democratic Party Congress. Johnson promised lily white delegates would be official but MFDP delegates would be honoured guests to attend conference with no voting rights.
What happened when Johnson refused MFDP delegates?
Fannie Lou Hamer led the MFDP to the Atlanta Congress and demanded to be accepted as Mississippi’s official delegates. The Mississippi Freedom Summer highlighted racism of America’s political system, more militant methods needed.
Outline main events of Selma? 1965
In Selma Alabama, only 1% of black people were registered to vote and King believed local Sheriff Jim Clark was racist and likely to respond with violence. Demonstrations held by SNCC and SCLC to raise publicity – police used cattle prods and 26 year old Jimmie Lee Jackson who was defending his mother and grandmother from police beating was killed.
What march attempts were made at Selma?
On 7 March first 50 mile march attempt from Selma to Montgomery led to police with bullwhips and tear gas forcing protesters back at Edmund Pettus Bridge. Again on 9 March MLK was under pressure by Johnson to turn protesters back. On 21 March 8000 began the march and four days later arrived at Montgomery with 25,000.
What was 1957 Civil Rights Act?
Civil Rights Act 1957 – Eisenhower – set bi-partisan Civil Rights Commission and new section of Justice Department to oversee civil rights abuses with Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights to oversee.
What was 1960 Civil Rights Act?
Civil Rights Act 1960 – Eisenhower – Federal government to oversee voter registers, penalties for obstruction of registering to vote or actually voting, Southern democrats attempted filibuster but Johnson in Senate was majority leader and overcame this.
1964 Civil Rights Act…
Civil Rights Act 1964 – Johnson – Outlawed discrimination on grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, in public accommodation or employment, government to withhold public agency funds if discriminated, Attorney General to guarantee voting rights and end school segregation with 24th amendment outlawing poll tax qualifications, Equal Employment Opportunities Commission to end job discrimination.
What was 1965 Voting Rights Act?
Voting Rights Act 1965 – Johnson – Outlawed literacy tests for voting registration, federal government examiners would scrutinise voter registration particularly in districts where fewer than half minority voters had registered, covered state and federal elections.
