Obstacles Essay Flashcards
Introductory sentences: Legal Impediments - Jim Crow Laws (1.1) JC
An obstacle that significantly restricted blacks gaining rights in 1941 were the Jim Crow Laws. The southern states were determined to maintain control over the black population so each state had its own state government which would be responsible for passing its own laws affecting life within a select state. Most Jim Crow laws were passed between 1870 and 1900, these laws were responsible in keeping blacks separated from whites and that blacks did not receive civil rights.
An example of the segregation created by the Jim Crow laws (1.2) JC
An example of this segregation can be seen in a Mississippi state prison where all Negros were kept apart from white inmates and had separate sleeping quarters.
Why was the segregation important? (1.3) JC
This was important as it highlighted a segregated society in which it was hard for black to even be considered for them gaining their civil rights.
Who tried to tackle issues like segregation by refusing? (1.4) JC
In 1892 Homer Plessy argued his case for blacks not having civil rights in the Supreme Court as he believed it was against US federal law after he refused to move his seat as he was in a white carriage on a train in Louisiana. This ultimately caused him to be arrested. The ruling in the Supreme Court that the Jim Crow laws were fully equal affected race relations in the country for the next 60 years.
However, what was happening in the North? (1.5) JC
However, despite the Jim Crow laws there were areas where, black voters elected black senators and representatives.
Evaluate JC laws as an obstacle. (1.6E) JC
In evaluation the Jim Crow laws were an incredibly difficult obstacle which was in the way of black gaining civil rights due to them being denied to vote in southern states and being segregated from fellow citizens therefore not being dignified and treated as an American.
Introductory sentences: Lack of political influence. (2.1) PI
Another obstacle that restricted blacks receiving civil rights by 1914 was that of their lack political influence as they were restricted from voting and that presidents or governments did little to change their circumstances.
Not having the vote being a negative impact in the demand for civil rights. (2.2) PI
In theory some blacks had the right to vote as the 15th amendment gave adult black males the right as the amendment stated no one should be denied the vote due to race or colour however, there were loopholes that were beginning to be sought in the amendment and the introduction of poll taxes meant that it gave black an extra factor to consider as many could not afford it due to their lack of employment abilities and therefore being poor.
Not having the vote being important to the obstacles faced by blacks? (2.3) PI
This is important as if blacks did not have the vote even in northern states due to the restrictions put in place thanks to the loopholes that were uncovered in the 15th amendment, blacks could not vote in favour of candidates who would change their circumstances and therefore faced entrapment of the laws that they face which promote a life of hardship for many blacks across the country.
Evaluate the importance of the lack of political influence in acting as an obstacle. (2.3) PI
In evaluation, the voting restrictions such as poll taxes that black could not afford formed part of the many Jim crow laws in place therefore blacks had no access or ability to vote for people who would in essence vote against these highly racist laws.
Introductory sentences: Discrimination and popular prejudice. (3.1)
In both southern and northern states blacks faced intense discrmination which therefore made it hard for blacks to lead a life that was of a reasonable standard. By moving north they believed it would give them a chance to lead a better life and escape the widespread of prejudice but in the north popular prejudice was apparent which resulted in blacks facing higher rent payments meaning blacks would have to live in the poorest of areas in order to be able to afford this.
Why was the north’s prejudice important? (3.2) JC
This was important as many whites believed that the population growth was subsequent to the swift increase of population of the northern states therefore racial tensions began to grow in the north due to this.
What happened in Chicago? (3.3) JC
A riot happened in Chicago that lasted 15 days where both whites and blacks died and thousands were injured.
Evaluate popular prejudice against legal impediments such as the Jim Crow laws. (3.4E) JC
In evaluation, the popular prejudice that was faced by blacks across the north demonstrated that blacks would face obstacles if they ever attempted to improve their standard of living despite where in the country they travelled. However, legal impediments such as the Jim Crow laws were more important as the separate but equal laws were directly responsible for the Great Migration, subsequent growth in the ghetto and race riots.
Introductory sentences: KKK (4.1) K
The KKK were another obstacle that blacks faced with regards to gaining civil rights by 1914. The KKK believed in white supremacy and would take extreme measures to endorse their values. They would march through towns ad cities demonstrating their ideology and principles and also warn black people that if they did not leave town they would be whipped, attacked or even murdered.
