United States 1950s-1960s

Plessy v. Ferguson 1890 – Louisiana passes a law requiring that railroads provide “equal but separate accommodations” on railroads 1890 – Louisiana passes a law requiring that railroads provide “equal but separate accommodations” on railroads Law was challenged in court, eventually goes to the Supreme Court in 1896 Law was challenged in court, eventually goes to the Supreme Court in 1896 –Court rules that “separate but equal” does not violate the 14 th Amendment –14 th Amendment says All Americans are entitled to equal treatment under the law

Leading to Jim Crow The Plessy decision leads states throughout the nation, especially the South to create laws to separate the races The Plessy decision leads states throughout the nation, especially the South to create laws to separate the races –Forbid interracial marriage –Separate schools, streetcars, waiting rooms, elevators, and public restrooms –These laws became known as Jim Crow Laws Facilities for blacks were always inferior Facilities for blacks were always inferior Humiliating signs: “Colored Water” “No Blacks Allowed” “Whites Only” Humiliating signs: “Colored Water” “No Blacks Allowed” “Whites Only”

Challenging Segregation in Court WWII lays the groundwork for Civil Rights WWII lays the groundwork for Civil Rights –African Americans served in the military with honor –African Americans worked in war industries to help win the war –Civil Rights Organizations worked throughout the 1940s to campaign against Jim Crow Laws During WWII President Roosevelt creates executive order prohibiting racial discrimination in federal jobs During WWII President Roosevelt creates executive order prohibiting racial discrimination in federal jobs

NAACP National Association for the Advancement of Colored People National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Created in 1909 Created in 1909 Begins focusing on inequalities in the 1930s Begins focusing on inequalities in the 1930s Challenges laws using the court system Challenges laws using the court system Young lawyer named Thurgood Marshall and team challenge laws throughout the nation Young lawyer named Thurgood Marshall and team challenge laws throughout the nation

Brown v. Board of Education NAACP challenges school segregation in Topeka, KS NAACP challenges school segregation in Topeka, KS 8-yr old Linda Brown is denied admission to an all white school a block from her house and forced to go to an all black school 21 blocks away 8-yr old Linda Brown is denied admission to an all white school a block from her house and forced to go to an all black school 21 blocks away Brown was not the only family to challenge the law, but came first alphabetically Brown was not the only family to challenge the law, but came first alphabetically

The Brown v. Board Decision Supreme Court takes 2 years to make a decision! Supreme Court takes 2 years to make a decision! Rule in favor of Linda Brown Rule in favor of Linda Brown School segregation is unconstitutional because it does violate the 14 th Amendment School segregation is unconstitutional because it does violate the 14 th Amendment Decision was relevant to 12 million students in 21 states Decision was relevant to 12 million students in 21 states

Reaction to Decision Mixed Reaction Mixed Reaction Some states change policy immediately, including Kansas where the case began Some states change policy immediately, including Kansas where the case began Other states stated: we will not comply Other states stated: we will not comply –GA Governor Herman Talmadge “we’re going to do whatever is necessary in GA to keep white children in white schools and colored children in colored schools”

Little Rock, Arkansas Began desegregation following Brown decision Began desegregation following Brown decision 9 students to attend Little Rock High School in fall students to attend Little Rock High School in fall 1957 Governor Orval Faubus, supported segregation Governor Orval Faubus, supported segregation –Orders National Guard to block entrance –Federal judge orders governor to let students in to the school

1957: Little Rock Nine #1

Forcing the Hand of the Executive Branch Little Rock 9 is significant because Little Rock 9 is significant because –The conflict is shown on tv and front pages of newspapers across the country –Challenges the ideals of democracy which are a major topic during the 1950s (cold war: democracy vs. communism) President Eisenhower is forced to intervene President Eisenhower is forced to intervene –Places the Arkansas National Guard under federal control –Orders the troops to protect the students as they go to school

Harsh Treatment During School Students were harassed throughout the school day in stairways, halls, and cafeteria Students were harassed throughout the school day in stairways, halls, and cafeteria By the end of the year the governor shut down the school for two years so he didn’t have to continue integration By the end of the year the governor shut down the school for two years so he didn’t have to continue integration

1955: Montgomery Bus Boycott #2

Montgomery Bus Boycott 1955 December 1, 1955-December 21, 1956 December 1, 1955-December 21, 1956 sparked by Rosa Parks ’ arrest sparked by Rosa Parks ’ arrest -Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white man people walked and carpooled to work, to run errands, etc. people walked and carpooled to work, to run errands, etc.

Boycott’s Leader 26-yr old Martin Luther King Jr. 26-yr old Martin Luther King Jr. –“well, I’m not sure I’m the best person for the position, but if no one else is going to serve I’d be glad to try” upon being offered the job as pastor of the Dexter Ave Baptist Church Boycott lasts 381 days Boycott lasts 381 days Supreme Court outlaws bus segregation in 1956 Supreme Court outlaws bus segregation in 1956

Creation of new Civil Rights Organizations SCLC – Southern Christian Leadership Conference SCLC – Southern Christian Leadership Conference –Goal to use non-violent protest to achieve change –Led by MLK, Jr SNCC (Snick) – Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee SNCC (Snick) – Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee –Used college students to protest around the country –Eventually became more confrontational than SCLS when they begin partnering with CORE

CORE: Congress of Racial Equality CORE: Congress of Racial Equality –Began in 1942 –Protest is the way to achieve goals SNCC builds on CORE’s beliefs SNCC builds on CORE’s beliefs –Sat down at lunch counters and refused to leave until African Americans were served –Woolworth’s store in Greensboro, North Carolina –Television shows whites beating protesters and dumping food on them

1963: Woolworth ’ s SIT-IN Jackson, Mississippi #3

Civil Rights Act 1964 proposed by Pres. Kennedy, signed by Pres. Johnson proposed by Pres. Kennedy, signed by Pres. Johnson made racial discrimination illegal in public places, such as made racial discrimination illegal in public places, such as -theaters, restaurants, & hotels also dealt with problem of African- Americans voting in the Deep South also dealt with problem of African- Americans voting in the Deep South

1963: a march Birmingham, Alabama #4

Other Civil Rights Leaders WEB du Bois ( ) WEB du Bois ( ) –wanted African-Americans to assimilate into white culture, which would make them equal Malcolm X ( ) Malcolm X ( ) –wanted a separate country for black people until it was possible for them all to return to Africa