USE Issue 5 (3): reasons for the development of the civil rights campaign Flashcards
Reasons for the development of the civil right’s campaign
- continuation of racism and segregation
- experience of black servicemen in WW2
- the emergence of effective black organisations
- the emergence of effective black leaders
- the role of Martin Luther king
Continuation of discrimination and prejudice
- Southern African Americans migrated northward in search of economic opportunities whihc would allow them to earn more that they did in the south, such as the car manufacturing industries in Chicago and Detroit
-> race relations deteriorated due to the competition for jobs and houses, and the resentment to their participation in local elections. This was a result of hte growing population: black population doubles 1940-50 - In the south black community remained a victim of intimidation from the KKK, in addition to the de jure segregation of Jim Crow Laws, due to living in isolated areas (such as Birmingham- one of the most segregatedUS cities). Segregation in jobs included Hollywood films - black people were portrayed as uneducated and in supporting jobs.
-> lack of change experienced by the southern blacks in comparison to their northern kin led to many forming and joining movements which increased black self awareness and solidarity, like the SCLC (established in 1957)
A+: but many historians argue that although significant, the development of the CRM was due to a combination of events, social trends and individuals, not just due to the cont… This is evident by the fact that the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964, 19 years after 1945, so it is clear that other factors must have influenced its passing between 1945-64
E: to evaluate, there was an increased sense of community in the northern states which was emboldened by the communal experiences with the safety in numbers which meant that the northern community was less likely to endure the intimidation from whites. however, organisations had emerged on the backdrop of the growing populations of cities and towns which increased hostility, forcing many blacks to join black movements
the role of Martin Luther King
- King had organised the March on Washington in 1963, whereby 250 000 marched demanding the passing of the Civil Rights Bill, demonstrating the effectiveness of passive resistance
-> the march demonstrated the white support as 1/4 of the marchers were white. This showed that the CRM was beginning to take achieve something as many Americans had their minds and hearts changed about the racist regime that had ben well-rooted into society - In 1963 MLK had also organised the boycott of shops in Birmingham refusing to serve black people
-> it was able to attract TV attention, thus proving the vital impetus for reform; JFK even shared that having witnessed the events of this boycott had motivated him to pass the Bill, demonstrating the significance of MLK
A+: however, King had limited influence in the North where blacks received limited social and economic improvements - 1/3 of black men remained unemployed in the mid ’60s, and 50% of 16-23 year old held criminal records
E: o evaluate, historians such as Vivian Sanders argue that “his ability to inspire was peerless”, as his marches attracted the attention of the press, and he was present at the signing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Nonetheless, the Marches which proved to very successful only managed to achieve such prominence because the black movements had been united by none other than MLK . However, many other historians like Claiborne Carson argue that “if King had never lived the black struggle would have followed a course of development similar to the one it did. “
supporting quotation for Role of MLK in evaluation
Vivian Sanders: “his ability to inspire was peerless”
quotation for counter argument in evaluation for Role of MLK
Claiborne Carson: “if King had never lived, the black struggle would have followed a course of development similar to the one it did”
impact of WW2 and the experience of black servicemen
- one million African Americans fought against fascism in Europe where they experienced less discrimination than they did back home
-> this motivated them to join back movements upon their return with a new incentive to challenge the racist regime in US - Northern soldiers sent south for training were treated was their southern counterparts: lived in segregated quarters and units had a shortage of equipment; few opportunities to shine in battle, but still performed heroically in battle
-> concessions were made in acknowledgement of tier effort - 1948, president Truman abolished the racial quota in the employment of defence jobs, cadet schools were desegregated
A+: however, many argue that the war was merely a catalyst, as organisations existed pre-1940s and their membership boomed when demobilised soldiers joined them in retaliation to the injustice they suffered due to the growing competition for jobs and houses, which sparked riots in 25 cities
E: To evaluate, Hugh Brogan argues that WW2 was a critical reason to the development of the CRM, whereby “wartime service made black Americans more conscious of their strength, and the need for united action”. The increased solidarity of these soldiers led to an increased membership of these organisations; membership of NAACP rose to 450 000 by 1945, which shows that the experience of black service men is more important that effective organisations… because their desire for change helped the NAACP grow and achieve much more than before WW2.
supporting quotation for evaluation for WW2
Hugh Brogan: “wartime service made the black Americans more conscious of their strength, and the need for united action”
effective black organisations
- NAACP was increasingly activistic in the 1940s and cooperated with other organisations in a civil rights coalition; they challenged the inequality through the courts which led to the passing of the 1954 Browns vs. Topeka Rolling and as such the desegregation of southern schools
-> this Rolling showed that their attempts to challenge the Jim Crow Laws through the courts started to achieve fruition which led to further legal
victories such as the 1964 Voting Rights Act which removed any obstacles to blacks executing their right to vote (15th Amendment) - Student-led CORE took a different approach and employed non-violent demonstrations such as the 1961 Freedom Rides: students travelled between Washington DC and New Orleans, using whites-only public facilities, to experience to effectiveness of the 1960 Boynton vs. Virginia ruling (desegregated public facilities in the south)
-> the violent of the white population shows that federal laws had no effect on the everyday lived go African Americans, and also highlighted the viscous nature of racism
A+: significance of the Brown Rolling had long been debated, as its clear that to dismantle the segregation more had to be done than the Ruling
E: before 1945 the community was very divided in its approach to the matter, but after 1945 the organisations were more united and effective, especially in the 1950s-60s, which is evident by the numerous marches which many organisations took part in. However, these organisations were only able to capitalise on the increasing black consciousness that had emerged following the continuation of prejudice and racism, so this is therefore a more signifacant reason for the…
effective black leaders
- A Philip Randolph (1940s) as he had united black trade unions to encourage African Americans to fight for their political voice; trade unions like the FTA (food, tobacco, agricultural and allied workers union) and the American Communist Party.
-> helped end white trade union discrimination which had forced black Americans to form their own trade unions; he did this by using his trade union power base to become an influential voice in the CRM. Indeed he had increased black confidence, civil rights militancy and economic opportunities - Rosa Parks became the face of the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-56) which is argued to be ne of the most significant turning points in the movement
-> it demonstrated the power a united community possessed using non-violent tactics which were an alternative to the ones employed by the NAACP. The boycott successfully desegregated buses in the southern states and convinced the government that this regime had broken the 14th Amendment (equality before the law)
A+: however, effective black leaders had emerged in the south, and there was increased discontent in the north, especially among urban black men, which led to the emergence of a more militant group - the Black Power Movement led by Malcolm X. This was due to divisions in the community as many criticised the effectiveness of the non-violent demonstrations, and these divisions weakened the sense of community and solidarity which made the black people more susceptible to the discrimination from the white population.
E: to evaluate, effective black leaders had increased solidarity among the black community which became fundamental to the development of the CRM. Their success is evident by Executive Order 8802 which ended the racial segregation in federal and defence jobs; its passing is credited to A Phillip Randolph. However, in the absence of prejudice and racism black leaders would feel no need to speak out and demand change, challenging the racial quo, thus having limited effect on the developing movement.
key statements to include in the conclusion
effective black organisations: having previously been divided, the organisations united under a common cause and collaborate on many demonstrations which proved significant the CRM, such as the 1963 march on Washington which had influenced the desegregation of public facilities
continuation of prejudice and racism: in its absence black organisations such as the SCLC would see no need to challenge the inequalities that had been so well establish in society, demanding civil rights and achieving justice
experience of back servicemen during WW2: returning soldiers had been horrified by the treatment of their families as they compared it to the treatment they received in the more open-minded Europe when fighting fascism
role of MLK: although he was a charismatic speaker and successful leader, he faced much criticism for his methods such as incorporating children in the march on Selma (1965), knowing that this was a high-risk decision, and many historians such as Clayborne Carson believe that the CRM would have followed a similar path of development in his absence
effective black leaders: they became the faces and voices of the movement who wee able to influence and encourage many people’s decisions in the higher ranks of society into passing federal legislations that were significant in the fight for black civl rights such as executive order 8802 in 1941
presidents of America and their terms, in order
Roosevelt: 1933-45
Truman: 1945-53
Kennedy: 1961-63
Johnson: 1963-69
