Topic 2 - C1 - Civil Rights Flashcards
What did the 1964 CRA do?
Gave legal power to end de jure segregation in the South. Racial discrimination no longer permitted by the law.
When did public transport, hospitals, privately owned theatres, libraries, restaurants, gas stations and hotels have to be desegragted by?
By 1965
What did the 1964 CRA also forbid?
Forbade discrimination in employment on grounds of race, religion and sex and established an Equal Employment Commission
Why was the 1964 CRA passed?
- Activism of CR orgs like NAACP, SCLC, CORE and SNCC
- Sympathetic response of Northern whites
- Feeling that it would be a tribute to assassinated JFK
- LBJ’s commitment to CR and persuasion of congress
How much progress towards degsegregation was made in southern schools from 1968-1973?
68% southern black school children still attended segregated schools in 1968. Approx 50% attended segregated schools in 1973.
Why was the Selma campaign established in March 1965 and why did it take place in Mississippi and Alabama?
White racists maintained even stricter control than in other southern states. Selma, Alabama had a population of 29,000 - half was black. Only 23 registered black voters.
Why did MLK want to provoke sheriff Jim Clark in the selma campaign?
Knew sheriff Jim Clark would react violently while protesters would be instructed to be non violent, aimed to expose white brutality to force voting rights legislation
How were protestors treated in the selma campaign?
- White threw venomous snakes at blacks trying to vote
- A trooper shot a youth trying to shield his mother from a beating
- Sheriff Clark clubbed a black women
- MLK jailed
- Attacked with tear gas
What did the 1965 Voting Rights Act do?
Disallowed literacy and constitutional interpretation tests that Southern white registrars used to stop blacks voting.
By 1968, what impact had the VRA had?
- 59% of Mississippi’s black population could vote
- Number of blacks elected to office increased by 6X between 1965-68
By 1980, what impact had the VRA had?
- Number of black elected to office then doubled between 1969-1980
- Charles Evers became first black man to be elected as mayor of Fayette in Mississippi in 1969
What were the problems in ghettos?
- Poor housing, white prejudice made it hard for blacks to leave
- Poor Q education made it hard to break out of poverty cycle.
- Policemen tended to be white and racist
What inequalities existed in eduacation in the 1960s?
Early 1960s - 32% of black students graduated from high schools compared to 56% whites
What inequalities existed in unemployment in the 1960s?
Blacks contributed to 11% of US but 46% of unemployed
What were the Watts riots of 1965?
- Black mobs crying ‘Long Live Malcolm X’ set fire to blocks of stores in Watts
- MLK saw it as a class revolt between privileged and underprivileged
- Defined freedom as economic equality
Why was the Chicago campaign set up in 1968?
- De facto segregation continued in ghettos
- Thought CRA wasn’t achieving quick results
- Wanted to promote NVDA to prevent the turn to violence which would alienate whites
Why was Chicago chosen out of all areas with ghetto problems?
Chicago had population of 3 million - 700,000 blacks who suffered unemployment, housing and education problems in ghettos.
What did MLK do during the Chicago campaign?
- MLK became a ghetto resident from July to Sept 1966 - found family relationship deteriorated
- Drew attention to appalling conditions and led reporters into rat infested ghetto apartments
Where did MLK lead marches in the Chicago campaign and what impact did it have?
- Led marches into white districts where blacks couldn’t buy homes but met with violence and abuse
- After 2 months, Mayor Daley made an agreement with MLK but eventually went back on it once MLK left
Why did protesters struggle to get support from Northern whites in the Chicago campaign?
They sympathised with Chicago whites as they knew that if blacks moved there then schools would receive less funding and house prices would drop.
Why was helping ghettos seen as undesirable?
Helping ghettos seen as undesirable as it cost the taxpayer money
Why could the Chicago campaign be seen to lack significance?
- Achieved little - alienated whites
- Despite $4million grant for Chicago housing - blacks still felt hopeless
- Many blacks turned to black power movement
- 1968 MLK assassinated by a white racist
What are the praises for MLK?
- Played key role in demise of de jure segregation in the south through protests, inspiration and organisation
- Good rhetorical skills and ability to inspire helped ensure success at Montgomery
- Willing to be led and could lead well
- Successfully exploited white violence and exposed it through the media
- Birmingham campaign and March on Washington in 1963 helped pass CRA
- Selma campaign helped passage of VRA
What are the criticism of MLK?
SCLC poorly organised and ineffective at first, associated with taking too much credit and being involved in scandals like affairs and using prostitutes