The Civil Rights Movement Period of time between the 1950’s and 1970’s when a great emphasis was placed on creating true equality in America and removing racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination from our culture.

Background World War II – Women and minorities play a significant role in achieving victory during WWII both in the war itself and on the home front. Good Economy – American economy continues to “boom” after WWII. Quality of life for most Americans improves. More willing to share the pie.

Early Achievements 1947 – Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby break the color barrier in Major League Baseball. 1948 – U.S. military is desegregated. 1954 – Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, KS. Segregation is illegal in schools; separate is not equal; overturns 1896- Plessy v. Ferguson 1955 – Rosa Parks – Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Educated son of a minister. Wanted equality and integration. Civil disobedience and non-violent resistance Learned from Gandhi. Assassinated 1968 by a member of the KKK.

Malcolm X Grew up on the streets. In trouble with the law at an early age. True segregation. Treat violence with violence. Converts to Islam. Changes his stance; moves closer to that of MLK. Assassinated in 1965 by the Black Muslims.

Protests sit-ins, boycott, marches, speeches, riots etc. covered by the media and broadcast throughout the nation. helped make people aware of the problems. CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE – intentionally breaking the law and accepting the consequences to bring attention to a matter of injustice.

Milestones 1963 – March on Washington 1964 – Civil Rights Act Makes discrimination illegal 1965 – Voting Rights Act No literacy tests 1966 – National Organization of Women –NOW- created 1973 – American Indian Movement – AIM 1975 – Voting Rights Act – Bilingual ballots