The Civil Rights Movement

Organizations NAACP SCLC Founded in 1909 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Organized, well-led group sought to bring an end to legalized segregation SCLC Founded in 1957 Southern Christian Leadership Conference Formed by clergymen to protest racial inequality Founded by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Non-violence Sit-ins and Boycotts: No matter what happened to you, do NOT react to your aggressor; This technique showed the hatefulness and aggression of the segregationists; provided powerful images that were published in newspapers & magazines, nation-wide Sit-ins and Boycotts: both were very effective forms of non-violent protest used by the SCLC and others.

Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education 1954 Led by the NAACP Sought to overturn Plessey v. Ferguson, which established “separate but equal” a.k.a. “du jure segregation Fight was to desegregate elementary schools in Topeka, Kansas Went all the way to the Supreme Court NAACP lawyer was Thurgood Marshall Plaintiffs (Brown) won All schools in the U.S. must now integrate

Montgomery Bus Boycott 1955 Led by the NAACP looking for someone who was of spotless character = Rosa Parks Parks had trouble with the same driver before Boycott lasted 382 days (13 months) Black Churches raised money for new shoes cab fare car pools 1st we see MLK in a large-scale leadership role This job puts him in forefront of the Civil Rights Moment

Montgomery Bus Boycott cont. City tried to break the strike Cab fines Revoke insurance violence Bus Companies refused to change policies the case went to the Supreme Court Ruled in favor of plaintiffs Ended segregation in all public facilities

“The Little Rock 9” Little Rock Central HS, 1957 Arkansas Governor barred the door of school used the Arkansas National Guard Refused the entry of the black children President Eisenhower responds: places Arkansas National guard under federal command ordered the students to be allowed to attend Provided personal security for the children

Freedom Rides Freedom Rides faltered around Jackson, MS 1961 Designed to test Supreme Court’s desegregation ruling in busses and trains Organized bus rides from Washington D.C. throughout the South to New Orleans. Freedom Rides faltered around Jackson, MS all of the remaining riders were arrested.

Freedom Rides, cont. “Freedom Riders” were routinely met with violence Americans were alarmed at images from the rides Images continued to change national opinion

Integration at Ole Miss Fall 1962 James Meredith wanted to transfer from Jackson State to Ole Miss was denied admission The case went to the Supreme Court Plaintiffs won Jackson was admitted. Governor of Mississippi personally barred the schoolhouse door Brief riots followed: 2 deaths, 100’s injured, many arrests JFK called out 31,000 troops to restore order and enforce ruling

Birmingham Protest 1963 MLK called Birmingham “the most segregated city in America”. Police Commissioner Bull Connor was completely against integration King and the SCLC called for a series of marches and sit-ins “…to bring attention to the integration efforts…in Birmingham.”

Birmingham Protest, cont. King and others were arrested for conducting a “parade” without a permit. King was criticized by local ministers for his civil disobedience. King Responds with “Letter from A Birmingham Jail”. As the marches continued, Connor had firemen blast protestors with water hoses, had police use police dogs to break up the protest Nation was shocked to see images of widespread violence The protest worked!! Mounting pressure from all over the U.S. forced city and state officials to change the city of Birmingham was desegregated.

March on Washington - 1963 “March for Jobs and Freedom” Opposed by Kennedy, who didn’t want to alienate southern congressmen

CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 Banned different voting standards Banned discriminations in public places Banned discrimination on the base of race, sex, age, religion or nation of origin

Selma Protest led by MLK Violence against protestors Led to important legislation: Voting Rights Act of 1965 Federal officials could register voters 24th Amendment Banned Poll taxes

Black Panthers Most influential Black Nationalist group Originally created to monitor police in California Members sought to Lead communities Set up “Survival Programs”