Turning Point Questions

Question 1

Why was the Reconstruction Period (1865-77) not most important TP?
P2, S2, E2

Answer 1

Politically:

• Slaughterhouse Case 1873
• US v Harris 1883

Socially:

• Troops had to remain in the South to enforce legislation
• Plessy v. Ferguson 1896

Economically

• Troops had to remain in the South to enforce legislation
• Plessy v. Ferguson 1896

Question 2

Why was the Second World War not most important TP?

P2, S2, E1

Answer 2

Politically:

• Despite Smith v Allwright: still have voter discrimination -> only 28% registered to vote by 1960
• Still needed 1965 VRA

Socially:

• Still segregation in army during WW2
• Still have Jim Crow Laws

Question 3

Why was Eisenhower (1953-61) not most important TP?

P2, S2

Answer 3

Politically:

• Despite 1957 Civil Rights Act establishing right to vote -> by 1960 only 28% of AA registered
• 1965 VRA still needed

Socially:

• Little Rock 1957 -> Eisenhower was reluctant to do anything
• Transport still not desegregated despite Browder v Gayle 1956

Question 4

Why was Johnson (1963-69) the most important TP?

P2, S1, E1

Answer 4

Politically:

• VRA legislative milestones ending Jim Crow
• US v. Mississippi - overturned Mississippi law discriminating AA voter reg

Socially:
- CRA 1964 ends JCL’s

Economically:
- Great Society help for poor inner-city AA’s

Question 5

Why was Nixon’s Presidency (1970s) not most important TP?

P1, S1, E1

Answer 5

Politically:
- Only reaffirmed Johnson’s previous policies & progress

Socially:
- Had already achieved desegregation

Economically:
- AA’s still had higher unemployment than whites

Question 6

Limitations to progress 1965-92 [3]

Answer 6

• Unemployment remained higher for AA’s
• AA poverty increased since 1950s - a third lived below poverty line
• Average hourly wage remained lower for AA workers by 1992