The Development Of The USA (1929-2000) - The Fight For Civil Rights Flashcards
When was the Selma March?
March 1965
When was the Birmingham March?
April 1963
When was the March on Washington?
August 1963
What was the March on Washington?
Takes advantage of media from previous march
Calls for jobs and freedom for all
250,000 demonstrators
MLK attended and created pressure for Kennedy to pass the Civil Rights Bill
What was the Selma march?
Led by MLK
Petition for voting rights to be given to the city whereby only 383/ 15000 black Americans could vote
Washington stopped on Edmund Pettus Bridge and Sheriff Clark ordered his men to attack the protestors
Tear gas and clubs used to attack the marchers.
Became known as Bloody Sunday
What was the Birmingham march?
Led by MLK
Demonstrations against segregation in a city with a black population of 150,000
Sit ins and marches occurred before Chief Connor arrested many including MLK
Using young people in future did not deter police from using powerful water hoses and dogs
When does Roosevelt issue executive order 8802?
June 1941
Committee on Fair Employment Practices
Bans discriminatory employment practices in government
What types of jobs could black people get when the USA entered the war?
Working in kitchens, carrying messages and eventually on the front line
Why did integrated combat units become a reality?
As the number of casualties increased, white soldiers who had died in conflict needed to be replaced, often by black soldiers
What did black American soldiers experience in Britain?
Life without segregation
In 1942, 150,000 black Americans were stationed in Britain
They were welcomed by British people
Encouraged them to challenge discrimination in America
What were the tactics of CORE?
Non-violent protests, sit ins, challenging segregation
What does NAACP stand for?
National Association for the Advancement of Coloured people
How did the NAACP try to achieve its aims?
Challenged Jim Crow Laws in Courts and worked to educate about discrimination black Americans faced
What impact did the war have on employment of black people and women?
More black women were working in industry
Black nurses were only allowed to treat black servicemen
Many black servicemen were promoted to officers
How did President Truman contribute to the Civil Rights Movement?
He tried to pass his Fair Deal which would have dealt with some discrimination. Truman signed Executive Order 9981, desegregating the armed forces, leading to full integration by 1955
How did the war change black American attitudes towards civil rights?
Civil rights gained momentum because soldiers who had been stationed in Britain were encouraged to challenge discrimination back home
What tension led to riots in 47 cities?
Discrimination
Segregation
What was the Double V for Victory campaign?
Message aimed to highlight discrimination in war industry and armed forces. It became a symbol of the defeat of fascism in war and defeat of discrimination back home.
How much pay did black Americans receive?
Half that of white Americans
What was the effect of the Detroit race riot?
34 people killed
700 injured
$2 million damage
What was the problem in Kansas 1954 (Brown vs Topeka/ Board of Education)?
Linda was not allowed to attend her closest school
She was expected to attend a segregated school
Segregation in education had a negative effect on black children
How was segregation challenged in Brown vs Topeka?
Argued segregation itself is not equality
Mr Brown took Topeka to court
Supreme Court ruled in favour of Brown - told all schools to end segregation
Inspired other people to follow
What was the result of Brown vs Topeka?
Did not specify how integration should be carried out
By 1951, 300,000 black children were attending schools that were formerly segregated
Many states took deliberate measures to keep schools separate
450 laws aimed to prevent Brown decision from being enforced
What was the problem in Arkansas in 1957 (Little Rock)?
The state governor, Orval Faubus, prevented nine black students from entering the school
The nine black teenagers faced a vicious white crowd and had to be sent home under police guard
How was segregation challenged in Little Rock?
Eisenhower sent in 1,000 troops to Little Rock to protect the black students
They were escorted to school and personally protected from white Students
What was the result of the challenge at Little Rock?
Faubus closed all Arkansas schools the following year to prevent integration
Many of both the black and white students had no schooling for a year
The schools reopened in 1949 following a Supreme Court ruling that schools must integrate
8 of them graduated
What was the problem in Mississippi in 1962 (James Meredith)?
The Supreme Court upheld a federal court decision to force Mississippi Uni to accept a black student
Meredith was prevented from entering as the university did not want black students attending
How was segregation challenged for James Meredith?
President Kennedy sent 320 federal marshals to escort Meredith to campus
Riots - 2 people killed + 166 marshals and 210 demonstrators wounded
2000 troops sent to restore order
300 soldiers remained on campus
What was the result of James Meredith?
In Alabama, Governor Wallace tried to prevent black students from entering the state university
What caused to Montgomery Bus Boycott?
On 1 December 1955, Rosa Parks boarded a bus and later refused to give up her seat
She was fined $14 and arrested
Black Americans were not allowed to sit next to a white person even if there was an empty seat
Harsh rules regarding segregation in Montgomery, Alabama
