USA Civil rights Flashcards
Cold War outside the USA
Increase in paranoia
- Announced itself as the Soviet union’s opponent, through the truman doctrine, and the marshall plan - viewed it as “dollar imperialism”, and saw the US as the aggressor.
Was the initial cause of the red scare
- Caused US citizen to fear the communist ideology spreading, as it went against their capitalist ideology.
Alger Hiss case
One effect of the Alger HIss case was that it fuelled the red scare.
- Richard Nixon accused him of being a communist spy, working in the highest branches of the government. He had been sentenced to 5 years in prison. Although not directly convicted of spying, many people believed he was sent for spying. This proved to the public that Hoover, the director of the FBI was right.
Caused the McCarran act to be strengthened.
- During the hiss case, news of the soviets obtaining the atomic bomb reached america- this directly influenced the strengthening of the McCarran security act and meant all communist groups had to register with the government, all communists were not allowed american passports, and other restrictions to their american identity.
Rosenberg case
Fuelled the red scare
- Klaus Fuschs accused other spies of assisting with revealing nuclear information to the soviets. The rosenbergs were named, and denied all charges. There was no evidence that showed that they had, however they were still found guilty, and sentenced to death. This caused many americans to fear similar accusations, and so caused many americans to become very patriotic and anti-communist. Many would accuse others to show that they were loyal to the American government.
Caused the McCarran act to be strengthened.
- many people believed that the rosenbergs directly assisted the soviets in obtaining nuclear technology-
- directly influenced the strengthening of the McCarran security act and
- meant all communist groups had to register with the government, all communists were not allowed american passports, and other restrictions to their american identity.
Activities of HUAC
Fuelled the scare
- The number of prosecutions led people to believe that they were a communist conspiracy, that there were secret communists living among them. People were suspicious of colleagues, and feared being accused themselves.
Caused the McCarran act to be strengthened.
- Richard nixon was a member of HUAC, he accused Alger Hiss who was arrested for 5 years, along with the rosenberg case emphasising the threat of communists - this directly influenced the strengthening of the McCarran security act and meant all communist groups had to register with the government, all communists were not allowed american passports, and other restrictions to their american identity.
Activities of FBI
Fuelled the red scare
- The number of prosecutions by the FBI led people believe they were ina middle of a communist conspiracy- they believed there were communist spies among them- and they also feared being accused of being communist as well.
The McCarran security strengthened
- Prosecutions emphasised the threat of communist spies
- Meant all communist groups had to register within the government
- Not allowed american passports
Hollywood Ten
fuelled the red scare
- 19 people out of 41 named communists
- 10 of which pleaded 1st amendment, refused to answer questions- they were directly sent to prison
- gave publicity to HUAC
big impact on american film culture
- much more anti-communist films
- therefore more capitalist propaganda
McCarthyism
Fuelled the red scare
- increased investigations into alleged communist activity through bodies such as the senate sub-committee, and acting as a divisive political issue in elections in 1950 and 1952
Weakened the american government
- Government departments weakened, lost significant capability when thousands of staff fired, some with expertise in communist nations were removed for suspected communsit activities or sympathies.
Influence of supreme court & congress
made progress in the civil rights movement
- brown v Topeka
- civil rights act
- voting rights act
prevented a civil rights movement from happening
- Congress was strongly making laws to satisfy southern politicians
- they also didn’t want to annoy racist voters
Brown vs Topeka case 1954
Led to progress in the civil rights movement
- it set precedent for other cases related to racial segregation
- supreme court ruled that school segregation was unconstitutional
- This set legal precedent, which meant that other cases would actually be confronted. Although there was little immediate impact, it allowed the civil rights movement to begin.
Moved the progress forward by highlighting government arrogance
- Highlighted the arrogance of the governments-
- Progress was incredibly slow, unwilling to integrate properly,
- showed that much of america was racist and discriminatory, so much so that they disagreed with a supreme court ruling.
- People found way to work around the BvT case by paying certain institutions more so that they were still “separate but equal”
Death of Emmett Till 1955
Moved the CRM forward by showing the inconsistencies of the judicial system
- Bryant and Milam confessed to beating Emmet till months after but due to US law not allowing retrials of the same case, the all white jury did nothing to prevent such a case from happening again.
made progress in the civil rights by influencing many to join the movement
- Emmet’s mother wanted her son’s funeral to be public and open casket- this was so the media could see how beaten emmett was.
- Many white Americans felt sympathy for Emmett and his mother and became supporters of the civil rights movement. African Americans felt that they needed to take an active move to defend their liberties.
Montgomery Bus Boycott 1955-1956
It led to progress in the civil rights movement
- One effect of the bus boycott was that it proved that there was a form of protest that worked. It was very effective as they could not arrest African Americans for not using transportation. This event showed that when large numbers of african americans took direct action, real change could take place. This influenced more civil rights movements, more protests.
Another effect was the white violence.
- Added to the revival of the KKK. Membership numbers for racist groups rose and the bus boycott marked an increase in violence against african american communities. Hooded groups of the KKK drove around, sometimes attacking A.A residents. This led to bombings and snipings, and eventually caused some bus sservices to shut down.
Little Rock 1957
Led to white violence
- 25 students were chosen to start school but due to the threats from white neighbours, 9 wanted to join after threats
- publicised it to incite reaction
- Governer of Little rock announced in TV ordered state troops to stop them from entering the school
- LR9 had to be protected by army to even enter
- Still protests, only until 1970 was there a significant level of integration
Led to progress in the civil rights movement as it was the first instance of presidential intervention
- 12th september eisenhower met with the governor to persuade him to go school
- Federal judge began legal proceedings + ordered troops removed
- Police managed to escort them onto campus
- this caused a riot
- Although media pressure probably was the reason for the 1200 troops, it was the first instance of presidential intervention
Civil Rights Act 1957
led to progress in the civil rights movement
- it acknowledged that many AAs were unable to vote
- enabled states leaders trying to prevent them to be prosecuted
- first time the federal government had acted to improve civil rights for several decades
- Although republicans filibustered to try prevent the act from being passed, the democrats successfully released a weaker version of the civil rights act.
made civil rights leaders more determined to fight for further laws which would have an impact
- even though eisenhower thought the act would satisfy CR campaigners and stop the protests, CR activists were disappointed that the act did not go as far as they wanted.
- CR activists determined to press for further reform
- It led to congress passing another CR act in 1960. It introduced federal inspections of the process -> this would counter those who would obstruct others from voting
Revival of the Ku Klux Klan
- Encouraged white resistance against the civil rights movement in the south
- The day of the supreme court’s decision on Brown V topeka was known as Black Monday.
- WCC set up, they spread across the country
- These WCC were inspired to join the KKK
- created fear as their actions became more extreme and emphasises the lengths they would go for racism
- in addition to their usual tactics such as beating, lynching and shooting, they began to use bombs
- in 1956 having been angered by the Montgomery Bus boycott, they began to use bombs as well -> the first was used on MLK’s house. An angry mob of african americans wanted to bomb them back, but MLK convinced them that it was not the way.
Sit ins 1960
It created sympathy for the movement
- It was more visible than boycotts
- African americans responding to attacks calmly with nonviolence attracted sympathy for their cause-
attracted presidential attention. Eisenhower showed his concern, said he was “deeply sympathetic” with any group trying to fight for their equality.
showed that peaceful protests were effective
It damaged the segregationist business which led to changes in policy
- 70,000 people took part it in the sit ins
- most began to desegregate their eating facilities due to the threat of sit-ins harming their business
- over 120 cities and town desegregated, showed it was a successful form of protest
Freedom Riders 1961
increased white violence
- planned by CORE activists, believed that violent large reactions would provoke the media, generate large publicity
- over 300 riders were sent to jail in Jackson mississippi, many more were beaten up
Publicity led to progress in the civil rights movement
- continuing violence against the freedom riders meant huge media attention
- federal government feared bad international reputation
- as a result, led to states beginning to integrate facilities
Anniston firebombing 1961
Highlighted the intransigence of white attitudes
- Freedom riders were met with an angry crowd led by William chappel
- attacked the bus, showed the white american attitudes to african americans, and showed the injustices of the police system as police chief ‘bull’ conner did nothing to stop the attacks.
Showed the resilience of the civil rights movement
- After a firebomb was thrown into one of the buses, many one of the protestors were attacked as they tried to escape
- the second bus was also attacked. Despite all of this, they were determined to complete their journey and made it to Montgomery.
- Many felt sympathy for those attacked, and were inspired by the passion that the protestors were showing
James Meredith Case 1961
Highlighted white resistance
- “no school will be integrated in Mississippi while i am your governor”
- Refused supreme court order
- Instead passed new legislation that prevented those who were convicted of any felony offence
- because Meredith was convicted of ‘voter fraud’
- this showed the lengths that politicians would go to maintain their status, and their political power
Forced presidential intervention
- Supreme court ordered
- Kennedy intervened, ordered those ‘obstructing the law’ to ‘desist’
- Over 2000 federal troops sent to guard his registration, and over 300 guards would ensure his safety throughout his graduation
Showed how effective the president can be, gave many people hope.
Methods and activities of Martin Luther King
introduced non violent direct action as a form of protest
- believed in direct action, while peaceful, lead to violent reactions from segregationists
→ this would make for large publicity
- He was a charismatic speaker, he held many speeches to win the support of many white politicians, showed his patriotism, respect for the constitution, and gained supporters. He showed that colour did not determine your value as a person.
It was met with significant opposition
- some people believed that the methods were not useful -> only made them into victims, only garnered sympathy and no actual progress
- Malcolm X and even other white people believed that if progress was to be made, no significant change would be made by peaceful protest
- Previous methods became ineffective
- His views aligned with more socialist values, which meant he lost a lot of support
- His assassination showed how strongly important they believed MLK was to the CRM.
