Civil Rights in the South The Jim Crow Laws to the Civil Rights Act

Events Leading Up to the Time Period of the Novel

Emancipation Proclamation  The Emancipation Proclamation consists of two executive orders issued by United States President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War.

“Black man reading newspaper by candlelight” Man reading a newspaper with headline, "Presidential Proclamation, Slavery," which refers to the Jan Emancipation Proclamation.

Slavery  What is the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution?

Fourteenth Amendment  When was the Fourteenth Amendment ratified?  What did it do?  When was the Fourteenth Amendment ratified?  What did it do?

Jim Crow Laws  Were state and local laws enacted between 1876 and  They mandated segregation in all public facilities, with a "separate but equal" status for black Americans and members of other non-white racial groups.  Ex.: segregation of public schools, public places and public transportation, and the segregation of restrooms and restaurants for whites and blacks.  Were state and local laws enacted between 1876 and  They mandated segregation in all public facilities, with a "separate but equal" status for black Americans and members of other non-white racial groups.  Ex.: segregation of public schools, public places and public transportation, and the segregation of restrooms and restaurants for whites and blacks.

Jim Crow Laws  The U.S. military was also segregated.  State-sponsored school segregation was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of the United States in 1954 in Brown v. Board of Education.  Generally, the remaining Jim Crow laws were overruled by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of  The U.S. military was also segregated.  State-sponsored school segregation was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of the United States in 1954 in Brown v. Board of Education.  Generally, the remaining Jim Crow laws were overruled by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The Great Migration  The Jim Crow laws were a major factor in the Great Migration.  When was the Great Migration?  What was it?  The Jim Crow laws were a major factor in the Great Migration.  When was the Great Migration?  What was it?

Great Depression  When was the Great Depression?  What was “Black Tuesday?”  When was the Great Depression?  What was “Black Tuesday?”

FDR & The New Deal  Franklin D. Roosevelt enacted the New Deal.  What was it?  When was it?  Franklin D. Roosevelt enacted the New Deal.  What was it?  When was it?

The New Deal  The nation was in deep economic trouble.  Unemployment was 25% and higher in major industrial and mining centers. The agricultural sector, with a fourth of the nation's population, was in worse shape than industrial areas.  Mortgages were being foreclosed by the tens of thousands. Worst of all, many people seemed to have given up hope for a better future and were desperately holding on.  The nation was in deep economic trouble.  Unemployment was 25% and higher in major industrial and mining centers. The agricultural sector, with a fourth of the nation's population, was in worse shape than industrial areas.  Mortgages were being foreclosed by the tens of thousands. Worst of all, many people seemed to have given up hope for a better future and were desperately holding on.

Connections to To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird  “We have nothing to fear, but fear itself”  This quote is mentioned in the first chapter in the book. What does it mean?  “We have nothing to fear, but fear itself”  This quote is mentioned in the first chapter in the book. What does it mean?

To Kill a Mockingbird  Scottsboro Boys Trial  Who were the Scottsboro Boys?  What happened to them?  Why is this relevant to the novel?  Scottsboro Boys Trial  Who were the Scottsboro Boys?  What happened to them?  Why is this relevant to the novel?

Events in the Civil Rights Movement

Segregation  Who were The Little Rock Nine?

Segregation  Governor Faubus brought in National Guard to guard the school, bus Eisenhower took steps to prevent it.  At the same time, he was in a campaign for his reelection and that contributed to his making a stand against integration.  Governor Faubus brought in National Guard to guard the school, bus Eisenhower took steps to prevent it.  At the same time, he was in a campaign for his reelection and that contributed to his making a stand against integration.

Bus Boycotts  What was Rosa Parks' 1955 act of civil disobedience?

Montgomery Bus Boycott  Led by Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.  Followed Rosa Parks' action, was, however, not the first of its kind. Numerous boycotts and demonstrations against segregation had occurred throughout the 1930s and 1940s. These early demonstrations achieved positive results and helped spark political activism.  Led by Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.  Followed Rosa Parks' action, was, however, not the first of its kind. Numerous boycotts and demonstrations against segregation had occurred throughout the 1930s and 1940s. These early demonstrations achieved positive results and helped spark political activism.

Martin Luther King, Jr. (Jan. 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) Was an American clergyman, activist and prominent leader in the African-American civil rights movement.

Martin Luther King, Jr.  A Baptist minister, King became a civil rights activist early in his career. He led the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott and helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957, serving as its first president.  King's efforts led to the 1963 March on Washington, where King delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. There, he raised public consciousness of the civil rights movement and established himself as one of the greatest orators in U.S. history.  A Baptist minister, King became a civil rights activist early in his career. He led the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott and helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957, serving as its first president.  King's efforts led to the 1963 March on Washington, where King delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. There, he raised public consciousness of the civil rights movement and established himself as one of the greatest orators in U.S. history.

 When did Martin Luther King, Jr. receive the Nobel Peace Prize? Martin Luther King, Jr.

 King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 and Congressional Gold Medal in 2004; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established as a U.S. national holiday in 1986.

Civil Rights Act  Who passed the Act?  What did it do?  Who passed the Act?  What did it do?

Today  Current events in civil rights  On February 25, 2007 the state of Virginia resolved to 'profoundly regret' and apologize for its role in the institution of slavery. Unique and the first of its kind in the U.S., the apology was unanimously passed in both Houses as Virginia approached the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, where the first slaves were imported into North America in  Current events in civil rights  On February 25, 2007 the state of Virginia resolved to 'profoundly regret' and apologize for its role in the institution of slavery. Unique and the first of its kind in the U.S., the apology was unanimously passed in both Houses as Virginia approached the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, where the first slaves were imported into North America in 1619.

Homework Assignment Assignment:  Bring in a clip from the newspaper or a news magazine from the past year regarding discrimination, segregation, civil rights, equal rights.  Due Monday 23rd in class. Assignment:  Bring in a clip from the newspaper or a news magazine from the past year regarding discrimination, segregation, civil rights, equal rights.  Due Monday 23rd in class.