The Civil Rights Movement Lecture 1

Life in the South Jim Crow Laws – System of both etiquette and laws (black codes) Sharecropping System – Black southerners work others’ land – Keeps black citizens in lower social positions – Unable to gain financial independence/social capital Threat of very real violence if the system is not followed. – Presence of the KKK – Legal/social threats to keep system in place

World War II Black men relegated to segregated divisions and combat support roles. Presents a conflict: support patriotic war effort or maintain criticism of armed forces? More than 2.5 million African Americans register for the draft, 1 million serve. Several very famous African American groups helped drive the campaign to integrate the military. – Tuskegee Airmen, Golden Thirteen, Doris Miller

Post-War America America enters period of Post-War prosperity – Victory in war leaves U.S. in global position of dominance – Growth not shared by all Strong segregation still persists in society – “Separate but equal” Emmett Till – Murder of Till as a catalyst for action Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas (1954) – Overturns Plessy vs. Ferguson – Desegregates public education

Montgomery Bus Boycott December 5, 1955 to December 20, 1956 Blacks were still required to sit in the back half of the bus and to yield their seats if necessary. Immediate support for a boycott Initially demand courtesy, diversity in hiring – eventually decide to demand equal treatment Widespread support within black community for boycott

African American riders make up 75% of the bus company’s business Boycott is fiercely opposed by some within the community – Snipers fire into the buses – Jan – 4 black churches and the homes of prominent black leaders are bombed

Martin Luther King, Jr. January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968 (Assassinated) Was a young pastor when he was asked to take a leadership position in the Montgomery Bus Boycott Chosen because of his lack of history in the city Proved himself as a steady, peaceful force for good. – Strong belief in nonviolent protest methods – Becomes head of SCLC

Little Rock 9 Group of 9 students who were chosen to integrate the Little Rock school district September 1957 Governor Orville Faubus deploys the Arkansas National Guard to stop integration on Sept. 4 Little Rock mayor asks President Eisenhower for help – Calls in the 101 st Airborne Division Faubus closes down Little Rock schools in 1958 to avoid integration

James Meredith 1962 – First African American student admitted to the segregated University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) Had to sue for admission, was turned down twice RFK had to order 500 US Marshals to accompany Meredith to school. Later became an active part of the Civil Rights Movement – especially dealing with voter rights

The Kennedy Family John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK) elected president in 1960 – Brother Robert (Bobby) Kennedy (RFK) is Attorney General RFK’s action to get MLK out of jail wins lots of support from African Americans – Helps Kennedy win the election, but does not lead to lasting change from the administration Historical legacy suggests more involvement in the Civil Rights Movement than they actually had. – Particularly true for JFK

Civil Rights Act of 1964 Outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin Ended unequal application of voter registration and racial segregation in schools, at the workplace, and by facilities that serve the general public. Initial enforcement powers are weak, but added to later Leans heavily on the 14 th Amendment (equal protection under the law for all US citizens)