And how they affected the American Civil Rights Movement The Jim Crow Laws And how they affected the American Civil Rights Movement

Jim Crow was the name given to a minstrel routine First presented in 1828 by Thomas Dartmouth Rice White actors dressed in blackface and imitated African Americans Came to be a very derogatory epithet for African Americans “Jump Jim Crow” (1828)

What were the Jim Crow Laws? Not only racial segregation laws but an ideology/state of mind that approved racism Led to economical, educational and social disadvantages for Black people Built on the idea that African Americans were “separate but equal” Approved of violence, including lynching What were the Jim Crow Laws?

Jim Crow Etiquette Ideology Way of life Whites and Blacks could not shake hands, Black people would be considered equal to Whites which was not allowed Black men could not light a white woman’s cigarette because it suggested intimacy Violence was approved Jim Crow Etiquette

Sample Laws Motor transportation shall have separate waiting rooms, ticket windows and seats for Whites and Blacks Intermarriage between whites and any other race was punishable by 12 months of prison or a $500 fine Separate ticket windows at any show (circuses, theatre etc.) – must be at least 25 feet apart Segregation in schools and all public areas (parks, restaurants, transport)

The Plessy vs Ferguson Case Homer Plessy 7/8 white, 1/8 black purchases rail ticket and refuses to move to black section He is arrested tried and convicted of violating Separate Car Act THIS WAS ALL PLANNED! The Plessy vs Ferguson Case

The Plessy vs Ferguson Case Justice John Ferguson denies that Plessy’s rights had been violated In Supreme Court – majority agrees with Ferguson Only 1 vote disagreed “Our constitution is color blind and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens… all citizens are equal before the law.” - John Harlan End Result: Decision ultimately legalizes state mandated segregation as long as the facilities provided for both Blacks and Whites were “equal” The Plessy vs Ferguson Case

The Jim Crow laws showed the people who were part of the Civil Rights Movement and us today how prejudiced people were towards coloured people Understandable that African Americans wanted change in the USA Jim Crow Laws helped spark the Civil Rights Movement People acted out against these laws Significance