MLK and Civil Rights Activism Flashcards
How did McCarthyism effect Black Americans?
Many began to blame black people for the spread of communism which led to their right to vote becoming even more limited.
Who was Booker T. Washington and what did he do?
He was born as the son of a White man in 1856 and became a skilled orator, author and advisor the President. He also set up the Tuskegee Institute of Alabama which helped train potential black teachers.
Between 1880-1930 how many people were lynched?
3’320 Black people were lynched and 723 White people were lynched. Most Southerners continued to defend lynching.
What did Ida Wells do?
She was a former slave who had been sent to education in her youth, In 1889 she became an editor for the Memphis Free Speech which she used to denounce lynching and murder.
What was the response to Ida Wells’ work?
She raised awareness for the extent of the issue which led to some white people threatening her which in turn forced to migrate North.
What does CORE stand for and who was it formed by?
The Congress of Racial Equality was formed by James Farmer in 1942 inspired by the ideals of Gandhi. They arranged boycotts, pickets, marches and sit ins.
What issues did the NAACP face prior to 1930?
It had a reputation for being an elitist body dominated by white wealthy businessmen and professionals which garnered little black support.
When did the NAACP start to win cases and what influence did this have?
They won a few cases in the 1930’s and 1940’s and won all of their cases in the 1950’s. However, this often had very little effect as the Supreme Court enforced very little and was in turn vague in what its rulings actually set out.
How much did the NAACP expand by from 1940-1946?
In 1940 they only had 50’000 members but by 1946 it had almost 500’000 members most of whom were educated African Americans.
What major committee did the NAACP create in 1950?
They created The National Committee Against Discrimination in Housing.
In what year did the NAACP take their first case?
They took their first case in 1926 on behalf of Dr Ossia Sweet. The Jury ruled in favour of sweet and he was not convicted along with 7 other people.
What was the case of Murray v Maryland?
This case took place in 1936 and forced the University of Maryland to de-segregate.
What was the case of Gaines v Canada?
This case took place in 1938 and ordered the university of Missouri to take black students.
What was the case of Morgan v Virginia?
This case took place in 1946 and overturned state law segregating inter-state buses and trains.
What was the case of Shelley v Kraemer?
This case took place in 1948 and banned regulations that barred black Americans from buying houses in certain areas.
What was the case of McLaurin v Oklahoma?
Desegregated graduate and professional schools in Texas and Oklahoma in 1950.
What happened in the buildup of Brown v Board?
In 1951 the NAACP went to numerous state courts to push for a desegregation of school however, they were unable to overrule Plessy v Ferguson.
What happened in the case of Brown v Board of education of Topeka?
In 1954 Judge Earl Warren stated that segregation of schools was not equal and that separate but equal had no place in education. Ordered desegregation but set out no time frame for it.
Why did tensions erupt in Little Rock Arkansas?
In 1957 Central High was preparing to integrate black students but the State Governor Orval E. Faubus intervened saying that it threatened the peace and safety, in turn he called in the national guard and sought a temporary court injunction.
How did Eisenhower respond to the situation in Arkansas?
He deployed the 101st Airborne division to the city as well as federalising the national guard in order to enforce integration after pictures of violent protests spread across the country.
How did Faubus react to the deployment of Federal soldiers?
He refused to back down and proceeded to get re-elected which he followed up by creating a private school system to avoid desegregation.
When was the tragedy of Emmet Till and what happened?
On the 28th August 1955 a 14 year old boy was lynched for reportedly flirting with a White woman, he was beaten mutilated and shot and then thrown into a river.
What did Emmet’s Mother do and what was the response?
Once the body was found she held an open casket funeral, the Chicago defender then published pictures of it which in turn made international news and put significant attention on the African American struggle.
Explain the Arrest of Rosa Parks?
On the 1st December 1955 Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus, the NAACP tried to defend her but she was still arrested and fined.
Explain the Montgomery Bus Boycot?
Four days after Rosa Parks was arrested Black Americans refused to ride buses in Montgomery. The protest lasted 381 days until the 20th December 1956.
What were the effects of the Montgomery bus boycott?
The Supreme Court ordered the Montgomery bus service to desegregate their buses. Martin Luther King also rose to prominence because of his involvement.
