Civil Rights Movement Terms List (213)

Segregation System of facilities separated by race.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) "A child born to a black mother in a state like Mississippi . . . has the same rights as a white baby born to the wealthiest person in the United States. It's not true, but I challenge anyone to say it is not a goal worth working for.” It was created by W. E. B. DuBois. It works for equal rights and opportunities for African-Americans… still! During the 1950’s and 1960’s it worked for the integration of public facilities through protests, marches, boycotts, and law suits.

Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court Case Decided that “separate but equal” facilities did not violate the constitution. Legalized segregation. Stood for over 50 years until the Brown v. Board decision.

Brown v. Board Supreme court case that decided “separate but equal” is inherently unequal. Forced public schools to integrate.

Booker T. Washington Believed that the best way for African-Americans to succeed was through vocational education. Education in a trade, such as farming, plumbing, electrician, mechanic, etc. Was OK with social segregation.

W. E. B. DuBois Wanted equal rights for African-Americans…now!

Martin Luther King, Jr. “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Activist who used passive resistance (non-violent methods) to work for equal rights. Famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

Rosa Parks “It was not pre-arranged. It just happened that the driver made a demand and I just didn't feel like obeying his demand. I was quite tired after spending a full day working.” Activist who was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus. Started the Montgomery Bus Boycott, one of the first large protests for equal rights in the South.

Sit-Ins A method of non-violent protest where people sit in a facility and refuse to leave. Often done a lunch counters.

Marches A method of non-violent protest where large groups of people join together to show support for a movement.

Freedom Riders A method of non-violent protest where students, white and black, would ride busses throughout the South. Many of the trips were attacked by violent white Southerners.

Civil Rights Act of 1964 Law that outlawed segregation in public facilities.

Voting Rights Act of 1965 Law that outlawed discrimination in voting practices. Got rid of discriminatory tactics like poll taxes and literacy tests.