Civil Rights Part 1 Segregation

In the Beginning….. Declaration of Independence Declaration of Independence “All Men are Created Equal” “All Men are Created Equal” Citizens have certain fundamental rights: Citizens have certain fundamental rights: Right to Vote A struggle for some groups A struggle for some groups

1791-Bill of Rights 1791-Bill of Rights 10 amendments added to the Constitution Constitution th amendment th amendment “Equal protection of the law” “Equal protection of the law” Right to vote for all males who were 21 year old (This was later changed) Right to vote for all males who were 21 year old (This was later changed)BUT…..

African Americans and other groups would struggle for the next 100 years to claim their full rights!

Segregation Definition: The separation of people on the basis of race. Definition: The separation of people on the basis of race. Plessey V Ferguson: An 1890 case that ruled “separate but equal” did not violate the 14 th Amendment Plessey V Ferguson: An 1890 case that ruled “separate but equal” did not violate the 14 th Amendment Effects: Jim Crow laws, separate schools, restrooms, elevators etc. Effects: Jim Crow laws, separate schools, restrooms, elevators etc.

Segregated South

Challenging Segregation Brown V. Board of Education 1954 Brown V. Board of Education 1954 Linda Brown was denied admission to an all white school 4 blocks away from her home. She had to attend an all black school 21 blocks away. Linda Brown was denied admission to an all white school 4 blocks away from her home. She had to attend an all black school 21 blocks away.

Supreme Court Ruling: Supreme Court Ruling: Unanimously struck down segregation as unconstitutional Chief Justice Earl Warren: Chief Justice Earl Warren: “…Separate but equal has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal” “…Separate but equal has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal”

Consequences Brown case affected 12 million school children. Brown case affected 12 million school children. Some states opposed: Some states opposed: Georgia says ….”permanent segregation of all races” Georgia says ….”permanent segregation of all races” Court cases says “must desegregate with all deliberate speed” Court cases says “must desegregate with all deliberate speed”

Little Rock Nine 9 African American students volunteered to integrate Little Rock Central High School. 9 African American students volunteered to integrate Little Rock Central High School. Arkansas Governor Orville Faubus ordered National Guard to turn them away. Arkansas Governor Orville Faubus ordered National Guard to turn them away. Judge ordered Faubus to let students in. Judge ordered Faubus to let students in.

What Happened? Eisenhower ordered National Guard under Federal control. Eisenhower ordered National Guard under Federal control. The nine students were escorted by soldiers. The nine students were escorted by soldiers. Faubus ordered school to shut down rather than let integration continue! Faubus ordered school to shut down rather than let integration continue!

Montgomery Bus Boycott Dec Dec Rosa Parks refused to move to the back of the bus. Rosa Parks refused to move to the back of the bus. She was arrested She was arrested But her arrest was exactly what the movement needed….. But her arrest was exactly what the movement needed…..

What Happened? NAACP organized a boycott of the buses. NAACP organized a boycott of the buses. Led by Martin Luther King JR. Led by Martin Luther King JR. Non-violent protest Non-violent protest Boycott lasted 381 days Boycott lasted 381 days 1956-Supreme Court outlawed bus segregation 1956-Supreme Court outlawed bus segregation

Martin Luther King Jr. Young Baptist minister Young Baptist minister Based his ideas on several people Based his ideas on several people Jesus=love one’s enemies Jesus=love one’s enemies Thoreau=refuse to obey an unjust Thoreau=refuse to obey an unjust law law Gandhi=resist oppression by Gandhi=resist oppression by peaceful means peaceful means

SCLC Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Purpose was to carry on “non violent crusades” Purpose was to carry on “non violent crusades” MLK Jr. helped organize it MLK Jr. helped organize it Planned to stage protests and demonstrations in South. Planned to stage protests and demonstrations in South.

SNCC Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee Agreed with SCLC and MLK but wanted change more rapidly Agreed with SCLC and MLK but wanted change more rapidly Organized Sit-ins-protesters sit down at white only lunch counters and refused to leave until they were served Organized Sit-ins-protesters sit down at white only lunch counters and refused to leave until they were served

1960 staged a sit-in at a Woolworths in Greensboro, NC 1960 staged a sit-in at a Woolworths in Greensboro, NC Was televised nationally Was televised nationally Led to more sit-ins across the South and eventually led to desegregation of diners. Led to more sit-ins across the South and eventually led to desegregation of diners.