presidents Flashcards
Who was Abraham Lincoln?
what did he introduce and when?
what was the significance of it?
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the U.S. in the time of the Civil War. he introduced the emancipation proclamation. The main point of The Emancipation Proclamation was to free the slaves in all of the rebellious states. Because of The Emancipation Proclamation over 4,000,000 slaves were freed.The significance of the Emancipation Proclamation is that it would free slaves in rebellious states and came about as a war strategy to weaken the Confederacy and ultimately win the war.
Andrew Johnson
vetoed the civil rights act of 1868 although, the Act was passed 5 months later over Johnson’s veto
In 1866, Johnson vetoed the Freedmen’s Bureau bill
the weaknesses of the civil right act of 1964 and the voting rights act
These two pieces of legislation were in many ways the hallmark of President Johnson’s civil rights career, and were undoubtedly very successful, however were in fact rather one-dimensional in scope. While they outlawed the segregation of public accommodations and provided the right to vote for African-Americans, they did not begin to tackle the deeper concerns of institutionalised racism: issues of housing, education, and employment that formed the basis of later racial disturbances in America’s urban spaces. Subsequently, while the CRA and VRA can be highlighted as points of success, the later racial backlash in the form of dangerous rioting demonstrates the limitations of the CRM.
benefits of the civil right act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act that passed Congress in July 1964 did ban segregation in public accommodations. It also acknowledged how little had been accomplished in desegregating schools in the decade after the Brown decision and gave the federal government the authority to withhold federal funds from schools that failed to desegregate. One of the most important aspects of the Civil Rights Act was its ban on employment discrimination based on an “individual’s race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.” This legislation has been very significant for African Americans and women of all races.
significance of the voting rights act
the Voting Rights Act banned literacy tests and other barriers to Black voting. It gave the federal government the authority to send federal registrars and observers to register new voters and oversee elections. It also required pre-clearance of new election-related legislation in specific locations (states, primarily) with a history of voting rights discrimination. Poll taxes were eliminated in federal elections through the 24th Amendment and in state elections through a 1966 Supreme Court decision, Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections.
argument for the federal gov was the most important element in achieving civil rights
one may cite the significant power of the executive branch. They were able to respond to issues of civil rights quickly and efficiently with the use of executive orders. Executive order 8587 and 8802 implemented by FDR and Truman, respectively, dealt with the discrimination in defence industries when its solidarity was the most necessary, during World War II.
why was the personality of the president also important in achieving civil rights
because it put an authoritative character behind the movement. Lincoln’s attitude as president between 1861 and 1865 is a clear example of this. He was able to use his power to decisively dismiss negative change like the proposition that all former slaves should be forced to leave USA
Most obviously the federal government may be considered the most important element in achieving civil rights because
LAWS
of the legislation introduced that literally gave African Americans their rights. Congress were those that had the power to do this clear from the period of congressional reconstruction that gave way to 1866 Civil Rights Act, to the Voting Rights Act of 1982. This step of gaining legal rights by congress is arguably the most significant in achieving civil rights because it gave authority to the claims of African Americans that they were equal. This was essential to both the white and black population. Congress represents the voting population, mostly white during this period and their decisions to
how does congress encourage social change supporting CR
. Congress represents the voting population, mostly white during this period and their decisions to pass civil rights legislation not only ought to reflect the opinions of the American people but also provided a model of attitude for the general population to follow, thereby encouraging social change supporting civil rights.
how did the federal governments hold back the civil rights movement
he south in particular, with its especially racist attitude, introduced key legislation, allowed by Congress, which held back civil rights. The most notable example of this were the Jim Crow Laws, the racist attitude is highlighted by the derogatory name of ‘Jim Crow’ given to an African American. These legalised segregation in facilities such as hospitals, education, rail travel etc. The lack of consistent power to prevent these changes in the federal government highlights how their negative impacts may outweigh the positives in their activity to achieve civil rights.
how did the Supreme Court help the AA to achieve cr
because of their ability to make more situational decisions was a key element in achieving civil rights. This is evident from significant rulings like Smith v Allwright in 1944 that deemed it unconstitutional for black voters to be excluded from party primary voting. This highlights how the Supreme Court was an important element in ensuring that all states were upholding the civil rights legislation of the time and giving African Americans the necessary rights.
give an example of how the Supreme Court was important
Boynton v virginia
Their decision in 1960, Boynton v Virginia that declared segregation on interstate buses unconstitutional shows the importance of the Supreme Court because their decisions led to key social activity, like the Freedom Rides. The Supreme Court had the power to make personal decisions that influenced the entire country, most notably in the Brown decision of 1954. This checked the state laws of segregation that deemed everything ‘separate but equal’, and highlighted the weakness of this statement in the education system-a key fighting point for civil rights.
how was the federal gov inconsistent
However it is precisely the Brown instance that highlights the inadequacy of the federal government in enforcing civil rights progress effectively. Federal authorities went from barring African American children from the school one day, to escorting them in the next. This inconsistent authority highlights the failings of the federal government. This is combined with the need for enforcement of civil rights legislation and decisions, which points out that the federal government was not ultimately powerful in the face of popular opinion.
example of when the federal government did something good
BROWN
The federal government were an important element in enforcing civil rights legislation and decisions that proved controversial. This is clear from the Supreme Courts decision on Brown when federal forces were required to escort children into school.
how did NAACP and Malcom x use their understanding of the social needs for the AA to help them
there are key grassroots organizations like NAACP and leaders like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King that understood the social needs of African Americans. They used this knowledge to force the federal government into action, for example the NAACP worked to pressure Congress for the Voting Rights Act of 1982. They encouraged black empowerment and equality among ordinary people and their work was what drew the attention of the federal government to make the necessary changes.
