Segregation and Civil Rights

The Fourteenth Amendment Granted citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the united states,” which included former slaves recently freed. Forbids states from denying any person "life, liberty or property, without due process of law" or to "deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of its laws.”

Civil Rights Act of 1875 Outlawed segregation in public facilities by decreeing that “all persons…shall be entitled to the full and equal enjoyment of the accommodations…of inns, drinking fountains, theaters and other places of public amusement.”

Civil Rights Act of 1875 BUT….in 1883 the all-white Supreme Court rules that this act is unconstitutional. This gives individual states the right to segregate.

Plessy v. Ferguson During the 1890’s, Louisiana passed a law requiring railroads to provide “separate but equal accommodations for the white and colored races.” In 1896, the Supreme Court ruled that this “separate but equal” law did not violate the 14thAmendment.

Jim Crow Laws Forbade marriage between blacks and whites. Separate schools, waiting rooms, elevators, witness stands, restrooms, etc… These “equal” accomodations were almost always inferior to those for whites.

                               

Civil Rights Emerge During WWII there emerged a shortage of white male laborers because they were fighting the war. This opened new opportunities for African Americans, Latinos and white women. Large number of Black soldiers who did serve in WWII forced the army to end their discriminatory practices. In response to emerging public protest, Pres. Roosevelt prohibits racial discrimination by federal agencies engaged in war work.

A. Phillip Randolph Labor Union organizer for African American train workers. Very influential. Focused his attention on making sure that blacks weren't discriminated against in government and military employment.

Armed Forces Desegregated In 1948, Truman decides to end segregation in the armed forces and the civil service through administrative action (executive order) rather than through legislation.

What does the NAACP stand for? National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Group seeks to legally end racial segregation. Law students in NAACP, under Thurgood Marshall, will win 29 of 32 cases argued before the Supreme Court.

                                                                                   Thurgood Marshall Thurgood Marshall’s most notable case is Brown v. Board of Education. In 1967 he will go on to become the first African American justice in the Supreme Court.                              

Brown v. Board of Education 1954—Linda Brown is denied admittance to an all-white school just 4 blocks from her school. The nearest colored-school is 21 blocks away. The case is appealed to the Supreme Court

What did the Brown Case Rule? Justice Earl Warren wrote “In the field of public education…separate but equal has no place.” Public schools would be desegregated.                                            

Rosa Parks Video

What organization was formed to support Rosa Parks? Montgomery Improvement Association What did it do? Organized a bus boycott. A year later, the Supreme Court will outlaw bus segregation.

Little Rock, Arkansas Video

How did President Eisenhower respond to the Little Rock Nine?

Martin Luther King Jesus-love one’s enemies Thoreau-refusal to obey and unjust law A. Phillip Randolph-learn to organize mass demonstrations Gandhi-resist oppression without violence

Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) Aimed at carrying on “nonviolent crusades against the evils of second-class citizenship. Held protests and demonstrations to: Gain support of ordinary African Americans Achieve racial equality

Student Nonviolent Coordination Committee (SNCC) Organized sit-ins at segregated lunch counters Sat peacefully while some whites poured food on them Pressured many restaurants to desegregate counters