Civil Rights and Reform in the 1960s (1945-1968) Lesson 3 Successes and Setbacks

Increasing Participation in the Political Process Voting in the South Jim Crow Laws in the South Literacy tests, poll taxes + intimidation Freedom Summer – campaign to help southern blacks to register to vote – 1964 African American + White college students travel south Volunteers beat, lost jobs, forced to leave their homes Organized by SNCC + CORE “Bloody Sunday” – March 1965 MLK + SCLC organize a campaign Pressure federal government to create a voting rights act Selma to Montgomery – Federal troops attacked marchers

Voting Rights Act 1965 + 24th Amendment Banned literacy tests and federal government oversee registration President Lyndon B. Johnson 1975 – Act expanded to Hispanic Voters 24th Amendment – 1964 Banned poll tax Supreme Court Cases Baker v. Carr - Federal Courts can over see redistricting of states Reynolds v. Sims - requires that the legislative districts across states be equal in population. Both help end racial Gerrymandering of districts.

Analyze Charts What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of each organization's approach to gaining civil rights for African Americans?

Analyze Data In which state did African Americans make the most gains in voter registration? Do you believe it’s more important for African Americans to increase their representation in Congress, or in state government?

Violence Troubles Civil Rights Efforts Groups upset over the Voting Rights Act of 1964 Riots Watt Los Angeles – Violence, looting, arson National Guard Sent Newark, New Jersey Detroit, Michigan Investigating Riots Kerner Commission – (National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders) Racial discrimination caused riots Increase Federal programs at helping urban communities

New Leaders Voice Discontent African-American Solidarity Nation of Islam, Black Muslims, advocate blacks separate from whites believed whites to be the source of black problems Black Power: African Americans control own lives, communities, without whites Black pride and spread idea of black nationalism Malcolm X —controversial Muslim leader, speaker; gets much publicity Frightens whites, moderate blacks; resented by other Black Muslims Feb 1965 – Shot and killed

Black Panthers Black Panthers fight police brutality, want black self-sufficiency Huey Newton + Bobby Seale MLK says “we shall overcome” BP says “we shall overrun” have violent confrontations with police Openly carried weapons in public and were prepared to use violence Provide social services in ghettos, win popular support

Results of the Civil Rights Movement Analyze Information Based on the information in the chart, which legislation dealt specifically with voting rights?

Controversies Affirmative Action Means to closing the economic gap between blacks and whites Businesses, schools, colleges, universities Increase African American representation/opportunities Late 1970s, some criticize policy as reverse discrimination

Martin Luther King, Jr. Baptist minister, social activist, and orator Inspired and led blacks and whites to end segregation and racism through nonviolent resistance, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, March on Washington… MLK March on Washington -"I have a dream" 1964 – won the Nobel Peace Prize Willing to be a martyr for the cause whether it meant prison or death 1968 – Assassinated by James Earl Ray (maybe)

Malcolm X A black militant, who symbolized black power, defense of African American rights and improvement of their conditions even if it meant violence Criminal background; while in prison, joined the Nation of Islam who stressed black nationalism but taught that white people were “devils.” Broke from the Black Muslims and traveled to Mecca, Saudi Arabia and Africa Changed his philosophy hoping one day all races will be joined in brotherhood 1965-Assassinated by three members of the Nation of Islam

"I believe in the brotherhood of man, all men, but I don't believe in brotherhood with anybody who doesn't want brotherhood with me. I believe in treating people right, but I'm not going to waste my time trying to treat somebody right who doesn't know how to return the treatment." -- Malcolm X, 1964

MLK’s last speech I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you.

Left to right: Hosea Williams, Jesse Jackson, Martin Luther King Jr Left to right: Hosea Williams, Jesse Jackson, Martin Luther King Jr., Rev. Ralph David Abernathy on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel Memphis hotel, a day before King's assassination. April 3,1968

Martin Luther King, Jr. v. Malcolm X Emerged from the black underclass in northern ghettos Dropped out of school Advocated self defense Wanted Blacks to love themselves and unite to control their communities Black Muslims accused him of seeking personal glory MLK, Jr. Raised in a middle class family Earned a Ph.D. from Boston University Advocated nonviolent direct action Called for integration; whites supported and financed the movement African Americans felt his protests were not assertive enough