Topic 9B – The Civil Rights Movement

CHALLENGING SEGREGATION Segregation in the South – The back of the bus – Cannot eat at certain restaurants – Cannot attend the same schools – Earn different wages – No power to vote Segregation in the North – Segregated school districts – Difference in standard of living Whites – suburbs Blacks – crowded cities Throughout most of US History, African Americans suffer through racism, segregation, and inequality as compared to White Americans.

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) “Separate but equal.” As long as equal accommodations are provided for different races, then segregation is constitutional. Separated housing, restaurants, public services, public facilities.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954) Supreme Court decision that overturned Plessy. Chief Justice Earl Warren: “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.” It was now illegal to segregate anyone on basis of race

RESISTANCE TO BROWN

80% of southern whites did not support the decision. Segregation and hate groups reemerge The Ku Klux Klan – White Citizen’s Council – Southern Manifesto

RESISTANCE TO BROWN

Little Rock, Arkansas – 9 students to be integrated into Central High School – Governor calls out national guard to block them President Eisenhower’s response – Ordered federal troops and took control of the Arkansas National Guard – Paratroopers assist the students in getting to class Legacy – Arkansas public schools close for a year. – August 1950, Supreme Court orders full integration

FREEDOM NOW

CIVIL RIGHTS a term used for those positive acts of government that seek to make constitutional guarantees a reality for all people.

THE BUS BOYCOTT The story of Rosa Parks Parks’s civil disobedience is seen as the start of the Civil Rights Movement. Ministers and community leaders pledged support for a one day boycott of the Montgomery bus system.

THE BUS BOYCOTT Led by Southern Baptist churches and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Protesters refused to ride the bus. Supporting taxi drivers accepted African Americans at a discounted rate. Carpools or “rolling churches” gave rides for free.

THE BUS BOYCOTT City officials and the bus companies were furious. City officials join the White Citizens’ Council. Dr. King and 88 others arrested for conspiring to boycott. Supreme Court declares bus segregation unconstitutional & the boycott ends.

THE SIT-INS

Non-violent type of protest against denial of service Used the effectiveness of the non-violent bus boycott to end segregation in a North Carolina Restaurant. Successful and spread to integrate other things like beaches, churches, libraries, and motels. Student organized and Run – By 1961, 70,000 African American and white students were protesting

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE

Election of 1960 – John F. Kennedy supported civil rights. – Promised a civil rights bill. – In office he attempted to provide votes and jobs for African Americans. – Wound up delivering nothing.

THE MOVEMENT Freedom Riders – Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) started the movement – Tested integration in the South – Used white only facilities when they stopped – Successfully forced a ruling against segregation of interstate facilities. The Voter Education Project – Attempted to get African Americans to vote – Helped them register – Many voters rejected – Churches bombed as a result

THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON

August 28, 1963 Massive protest for new jobs and the entire civil rights movement “I Have a Dream” speech delivered

THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 Before his assassination, Kennedy had finally put forth a civil rights bill President Lyndon Johnson continued to support the bill. Southern congressmen attempted to filibuster Despite resistance, passed with congressional support on July 2, 1964

CLASSWORK Open your books and read about the effects of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of What did they do? THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965

Question Was the Civil Rights Movement effective? Why or why not? – What evidence shows that it was effective? – Did it accomplish all of it’s goals? – What information is left out that would help you understand its effectiveness?