Challenging Segregation Chapter 25 Section 2

The Sit-In Movement Sit-ins, which were a form of nonviolent protest were the main form of protest for African Americans in the South. Many young African Americans, most of them college students, were the ones mostly organizing and participating in the sit in movements. SNCC, or the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee was an organization of young college students. Not all students were black, there were a number of young whites who were members as well.

SNCC, Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee

The Freedom Riders Despite segregation in the interstate bus service, travel in the South was still segregated for the most part. Groups of college students, both black and white, mounted buses in droves. Known as Freedom Riders, these individuals rode the bus in another form of nonviolent protest. When they reached their destination in the South (Alabama), many angry whites against segregation waited for the buses to arrive and then attacked the Freedom Riders.

Buses on Fire after it arrived in Alabama with freedom riders.

Kennedy & Civil Rights One of the main platforms on Kennedy’s presidential agenda was to push for Civil Rights legislation. These promises led to many African Americans voting for Kennedy and helping him win several key states. However, once in office Kennedy found it very difficult to pass any civil rights legislation, meeting resistance from Southern politicians, both Republican & Democrat. Kennedy was successful in appointing Thurgood Marshall to the position of federal judge on the 2nd circuit court of appeals. The highest position ever, up to that point for an African American.

Thurgood Marshall

The March on Washington Organized by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the March on Washington took place to help Kennedy win political support from congress. Knowing that passing this legislation would be difficult. King thought that by marching, it would bring attention to Civil Rights issues, specifically Senators and other members of congress. 200,000 people showed up from all races to help bring civil rights issues to light.

March on Washington, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 The Civil rights Act of 1964 was largely supported by the House of representatives, but met stiff competition in the Senate were a group of Southern Senators were determined to block the Act. Kennedy was assassinated while the Act was still in congress, but Lyndon B. Johnson, who took over as president promised to continue to push for Civil Rights legislation. After continual push back from Southern Senators the Act was final approved and signed into law on July 2, 1964.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 This Act gave the federal government the ability to register voters, bypassing local government, many of whom especially in the South made it very difficult fro blacks to register. The law also eliminated literacy test, a road block put in place to undermine black voter registration. Many blacks in the South at the time had very little education due to poor living conditions, many could not pass a literacy test. The Act was very successful as 250,000 African American voters registered to vote for the first time.