role of the federal government

Question 1

1. Andrew Johnson 1865-1869
2. Grant 1869-77
3. Wilson 1913-21
4. why did presidents allow south to discriminate against AA

Answer 1

1. opposed to greater AA civil rights
2. used federal troops and authority to support reconstruction
3. praised KKK for defending Southern rights after Civil War
4. presidents aware of need to retain support of southern senators and congressmen in the party

Question 2

Roosevelt 1933-45

6 points

Answer 2

1. some reforms passed in New Deal benefited AA

Civillian Conservative Corps CCC (creates employment)

Federal Emergency Relief Administration FERA (create employment)

Public Works Administration PWA (creates employment)

2. segregation a feature of work camps
3. many reforms excluded key areas of AA employment e.g. Agriculture and domestic service
4. US armed forces remain segregated
5. ended discrimination in war industries 1941
6. no specific civil rights act

Question 3

Truman 1945-53

4 points

Answer 3

1. 1948 - issued executive order against segregation in armed forces
2. appointed committee on civil rights
3. urged Congress to pass civil rights legislation
4. no comprehensive measures passed

Question 4

Eisenhower 1953-61

2 points

Answer 4

1. created Civil Rights Acts which reaffirmed AA right to vote
2. sent troops to enforce SC ruling on desegregating schools in famous incident at Little Rock 1957
   (when Arkansas authorities tried to prevent desegregation of Little Rock High School)

Question 5

Kennedy 1961-63

2 points

Answer 5

1. spoke clearly against racial discrimination

2. prepared general civil rights bill 1963 but was prevented from passing it due to Southern White opposition

Question 6

Lyndon Johnson 1963-69

6 points

Answer 6

1. passed most significant CRA since 1860’s -

Civil Rights Acts 1964 (discrimination in public accommodations and employment made illegal)

Voting Rights Act 1965 (racial discrimination when voting illegal)

2. Southern States prevent AA voting since 1870s - significant measure to increase political rights
3. law forbidding discrimination in public accommodation fundamental blow to discriminatory laws and practice
4. appointed 1st AA SC justice Thurgood Marshall 1967
5. SECURED greater political equality
6. presidents after Johnson found it difficult to address remaining social and economic inequalities

Question 7

Nixon 1969-74

3 points

Answer 7

1. ‘affirmative action’ to promote wider equality
2. all employers with federal contracts required to draft policies showing they were actively promoting employment of AA
3. 1972 Equal employment opportunity Act
   extended equal employment legislation to all federal, local and state governments
   promotes greater prosperity and stability by making working practices more equal
   conscious desire of federal gov to go beyond ensuring equal political rights