The formation of effective black organisations Flashcards
Introduction
Some historians argue that effective black organisations were fundamental for the development of the black civil rights campaign.
Knowledge 1
African Americans recognised that if they allowed their progress to wait on the actions of the federal government it would be very slow. By the 1940s, the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) was increasingly activist and crucially co-operated with other groups in an emergent civil rights coalition achieving a break through victory in the desegregation of schools as a result of the Supreme Court’s Brown VS Topeka Ruling in 1954.
Analysis 1
This led to the growth of the civil rights movement as their sustained efforts to challenge segregation through the courts started to come to fruition, galvanising the African American community and leading to further legislation victories.
Knowledge 2
Other organisations such as the Congress Of Racial Equality (CORE). They organised sit-ins at segregated Chicago restaurants and demanded desegregation on interstate travel. Many of their protests were televised, highlighting the nature of white racism.
Analysis 2
This led to the growth of the civil rights movement as in November 1961, a Federal Government Injunction was taken out against the KKK and General Robert Kennedy organised the desegregation of all interstate travel.
Counter Analysis
However, this organisation had little effect on the action taken by Federal Government. To prevent the violent disturbance of these protests, the Federal Government allowed Southern States to arrest them as long as it was the ‘same’ for white people. This wasn’t fair as at the time, white people were not protesting like this as they did not face the same challenges.
Evaluation
To evaluate, it is clear that after 1945, these civil rights organisations had successes due to the movement of Black Americans making progressive, politically literate industrial areas in the North. They also had great successes in the South. For example, the SCLC offered non-violent protesting and many of their marches gained hint publicity. Although limited progress occurred at the beginning, by the 60s they had gained great momentum. However, many historians debate on whether the SLCL initiated protests, or just assisted. Many think credit should go to participants rather than the groups. Due to this as well as the fact they would not exist if there was still prejudice and racism, it is clear that this was not the most important reason for the development of civil rights.
