Civil Rights

What does the term “civil rights” mean? Prompt #1 What does the term “civil rights” mean? Why do you think the Civil Rights Movement happened during the 1950s & 1960s?

Jim Crow Laws Examples

Rise of African American Influence Jackie Robinson (1947) The Great Migration (1910-1940) New Deal—gov’t officials World War II—jobs & combat; Holocaust opened eyes NAACP—worked through courts

Demonstrations

Brown v. Board (1954) Oliver Brown sued Topeka, Kansas Board of Ed. Wanted his 8-year-old daughter to attend closer white school Thurgood Marshall argued in front of Supreme Court

May 17, 1954 — unanimous decision Landmark case May 17, 1954 — unanimous decision “Separate but equal” is unconstitutional Reversed Plessy v. Fergusson in 1896 A year later, ruled all schools should desegregate

Reactions Many white Americans accepted decision; some did not though KKK became more active 90+ members of Congress expressed their opposition in the “Southern Manifesto”

Notes Civil Rights

Emmett Till (Aug. 1955) 14-year-old boy murdered for whistling at a white woman in MS Major impact on civil rights movement

Emmett Till

Trial for Till’s Murder Suspects were acquitted by all white jury Roy Bryant and J. W. Milam confessed after acquittal

Rosa Parks (Dec. 1955) Montgomery, AL Planned civil disobedience Arrest led to boycotts and demonstrations

Rosa Parks

Montgomery Bus Boycott 1955-1956; walked, rode bikes, carpooled Led by 26 yr. old, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Supreme Court  bus segregation unconstitutional Led to new leaders and peaceful steps toward equality

Little Rock Nine (1957) NAACP registered 9 black students at Central High School in Little Rock, AR AR Gov. Faubus sent AR National Guard to block them Defied Supreme Court ruling Pres. Eisenhower sent 101st airborne to integrate school

Philosophy of MLK MLK followed teachings of Gandhi Physical sacrifice if necessary Non-violence reflects the ugliness of those who commit violence

Gain equal rights (especially in the South) through nonviolent protest Group Members & Goal NAACP - Interracial - Gain legal equality SCLC Gain equal rights (especially in the South) through nonviolent protest - MLK Jr. SNCC Gains for young African Americans - Nonviolent at first but becomes more radical Black Panthers Militant political party Black power movement Wanted to lead own community, rebuild ghettos, and racial pride

Draw 3 images to represent events & their impact that began the civil rights movement Early Events Summary

Prompt #2 Does everyone get treated the same here at SLHS? If not, who should be involved in resolving this and how would you try to resolve it?

Sit-ins Goal: force businesses to make decision on segregation Often lead to being beaten and/or arrested Woolworth’s Lunch Counter Greensboro, NC

S.C. ruled bus stations could not be segregated – wanted to test South Freedom Riders S.C. ruled bus stations could not be segregated – wanted to test South 1961 — CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) sent freedom riders on busses from D.C. to New Orleans Anniston, Alabama Firebomb thrown at bus White mob beat riders as they escaped After this, federal gov’t protected freedom riders

Freedom Riders in Whites Only Bus Station

Freedom Rides, 1961

Firebombed Freedom Riders

James Meredith 1st African American admitted to U. of Mississippi (Ole Miss) — 1962

Birmingham, AL (1963) Targeted city b/c of Police Chief Eugene “Bull” Connor MLK called it “the most segregated city in the country” Police arrested 150 demonstrators MLK arrested Situation got JFK’s attention

Bull Connor

Connor used fire hoses and dogs JFK sends in mediators Birmingham, AL (cont.) Children get involved Kids age 6-16 marched to 16th St. Baptist Church 900 kids thrown in jail Connor used fire hoses and dogs JFK sends in mediators Got media attention  successful

Civil Rights Event Reflection Consider the events we have discussed and respond to each question: What event was most surprising to you and why? What event do you think was most influential/had the greatest impact during this time period and why? What strategy (passive, aggressive, etc.) would you use if you were apart of this movement and why?

“I Have A Dream” Speech Analysis

Discuss Why do you think this was such a powerful speech when MLK Jr. gave this to the crowds at the March on Washington in 1963? Think about: location of speech, purpose of march, ideas in speech

HW Review What was Kennedy’s approach to civil rights? Why did civil rights leaders propose a march on Washington? How did African Americans fight for voting rights? Name 3 specific ways.

Literacy Test

Literacy Test Discussion Was this a fair way to test if someone should vote? Why or why not? How was this an effective strategy for continuing discrimination at this time? Were the 3 pieces of legislation passed during the 1960s necessary?