Civil Rights

Origins of Civil Rights Emancipation Proclamation: During the Civil War, Lincoln granted slaves in the South their freedom. It was impossible to enforce, but it set the groundwork for eventual freedom. Emancipation Proclamation: During the Civil War, Lincoln granted slaves in the South their freedom. It was impossible to enforce, but it set the groundwork for eventual freedom. 13 th Amendment: Prohibited slavery in the U.S. 13 th Amendment: Prohibited slavery in the U.S. 14 th Amendment: Granted citizenship to blacks and equal protection under the law. 14 th Amendment: Granted citizenship to blacks and equal protection under the law.

Restraint of Civil Rights 1896 –Plessy v. Ferguson established “separate but equal” for accommodations –Plessy v. Ferguson established “separate but equal” for accommodations. Jim Crow Laws: These laws passed by individual states kept the black population submissive and under the control of whites. Jim Crow Laws: These laws passed by individual states kept the black population submissive and under the control of whites.

Early Anti-Discrimination Laws 1941: Roosevelt established a temporary Fair Employment Practice Committee to prevent discrimination by defense industries against workers because of “race, creed, color, or national origin” 1941: Roosevelt established a temporary Fair Employment Practice Committee to prevent discrimination by defense industries against workers because of “race, creed, color, or national origin” 1945: New York State passed the first law against discrimination in employment with the Ives-Quinn Act. 1945: New York State passed the first law against discrimination in employment with the Ives-Quinn Act.

Brown v. Board of Education The Supreme Court unanimously decided that segregation of black children in public schools violated the 14 th amendment. The Supreme Court unanimously decided that segregation of black children in public schools violated the 14 th amendment. NAACP lawyer Thurgood Marshall argued the case NAACP lawyer Thurgood Marshall argued the case The KKK and the White Citizens Council defended segregation as the “Southern way of life”. The KKK and the White Citizens Council defended segregation as the “Southern way of life”. Several southern state legislations approved “interposition” resolutions stating that education was a state issue, not a federal one. Several southern state legislations approved “interposition” resolutions stating that education was a state issue, not a federal one.

Brown v. Board of Education Chief Justice Earl Warren voiced the opinion that overturned Plessy v. Ferguson. Chief Justice Earl Warren voiced the opinion that overturned Plessy v. Ferguson. Separating black children from others solely because of their race “generates a feeling of inferiority as to their status in the community” … “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal” Separating black children from others solely because of their race “generates a feeling of inferiority as to their status in the community” … “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal” The Supreme Court ordered that the desegregation of public schools should begin “with all deliberate speed.” The Supreme Court ordered that the desegregation of public schools should begin “with all deliberate speed.”

Montgomery Bus Boycott December 11, 1955: Rosa Parks refuses to move to the back of a public bus. She was arrested for violating the law. December 11, 1955: Rosa Parks refuses to move to the back of a public bus. She was arrested for violating the law. In response, MLK leads a boycott against the public transportation system for over a year. Blacks organize car pools. In response, MLK leads a boycott against the public transportation system for over a year. Blacks organize car pools. In November of ’56, the Supreme Court ruled that segregated seating in local transportation was unconstitutional. In November of ’56, the Supreme Court ruled that segregated seating in local transportation was unconstitutional.

Little Rock 9 President Eisenhower encouraged states to work out how they would implement Brown. President Eisenhower encouraged states to work out how they would implement Brown. At several hundreds of schools in the South, integration was accomplished peacefully. At several hundreds of schools in the South, integration was accomplished peacefully. There were, however, several instances of violence and protest against integration. The most notable in Little Rock, Arkansas. There were, however, several instances of violence and protest against integration. The most notable in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Little Rock 9 In September, 1957, the city’s board of education was prepared to admit nine black students into the all-white high school In September, 1957, the city’s board of education was prepared to admit nine black students into the all-white high school Governor Orval Faubus used the National Guard to prohibit the students from entering the school, because he thought there would be violence (and he was a racist…) Governor Orval Faubus used the National Guard to prohibit the students from entering the school, because he thought there would be violence (and he was a racist…) Eisenhower stated that was illegal and forced Faubus to remove the national guard. Eisenhower stated that was illegal and forced Faubus to remove the national guard.

Little Rock 9 When a crowd taunting and intimidating the students stopped the students from entering the high school, Eisenhower sent federal troops to escort the students. When a crowd taunting and intimidating the students stopped the students from entering the high school, Eisenhower sent federal troops to escort the students. The soldiers protected the students all year (only 8 of them remained as one withdrew from the school) The soldiers protected the students all year (only 8 of them remained as one withdrew from the school)

The Little Rock Nine Daisy Bates of NAACP

Civil Rights Act of 1957 The first such act since Reconstruction The first such act since Reconstruction Many white, southern legislators argued against it Many white, southern legislators argued against it It created a six-member panel (Civil Rights Commission) to investigate voting rights issues and violations of equal protection under the law. It created a six-member panel (Civil Rights Commission) to investigate voting rights issues and violations of equal protection under the law. The Att. General was authorized to obtain court orders to secure the right to vote anywhere in the nation. The Att. General was authorized to obtain court orders to secure the right to vote anywhere in the nation.

Civil Rights Act of 1960 It empowered federal judges to appoint referees to assist blacks in voting and registering It empowered federal judges to appoint referees to assist blacks in voting and registering It made it a federal crime to transport explosives across state lines or to cross a state line in order to escape prosecution for having bombed a building. (In response to increased number of churches being bombed) It made it a federal crime to transport explosives across state lines or to cross a state line in order to escape prosecution for having bombed a building. (In response to increased number of churches being bombed)

Freedom Rides In 1961, CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) began a campaign against “For Whites Only” facilities in bus terminals in the South. In 1961, CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) began a campaign against “For Whites Only” facilities in bus terminals in the South. Started in Washington DC and went to New Orleans Started in Washington DC and went to New Orleans Attacked by hostile mobs at several stops along the way – he worst in Alabama. Attacked by hostile mobs at several stops along the way – he worst in Alabama. In response, the commerce commission prohibited segregation on buses and in terminals. In response, the commerce commission prohibited segregation on buses and in terminals.

Desegregation of Universities 1961: Air force veteran, James Meredith received a court order to allow entrance into the University of Mississippi 1961: Air force veteran, James Meredith received a court order to allow entrance into the University of Mississippi As he tried to enter he was repeatedly barred from entrance – once by the governor himself. As he tried to enter he was repeatedly barred from entrance – once by the governor himself. Kennedy ordered federal troops to escort Meredith the whole year. Kennedy ordered federal troops to escort Meredith the whole year.

March on Washington In August, 1963 some 200,000 blacks and whites participated in an orderly and peaceful march. In August, 1963 some 200,000 blacks and whites participated in an orderly and peaceful march. MLK gave his “I Have a Dream” Speech. MLK gave his “I Have a Dream” Speech.

Civil Rights Act of 1964 Prohibited election official from applying different standards to black and white voters. Prohibited election official from applying different standards to black and white voters. Forbade discrimination in public places: hotels, restaurants, retail stores… Forbade discrimination in public places: hotels, restaurants, retail stores… Prohibited discrimination in government owned or operated facilities – pools, parks, etc… Prohibited discrimination in government owned or operated facilities – pools, parks, etc… Prohibited discriminatory practices by employers, employment agencies and labor unions Prohibited discriminatory practices by employers, employment agencies and labor unions

24 th Amendment Prohibited the use of a poll tax as a requirement for voting in a federal election Prohibited the use of a poll tax as a requirement for voting in a federal election It affected 5 southern states that still had a poll tax It affected 5 southern states that still had a poll tax

Voting Rights Act of 1965 Southern officials tried to hinder voting by blacks in the South Southern officials tried to hinder voting by blacks in the South Ex: In Selma, AL out of a possible 15,000 black voters only 335 were registered Ex: In Selma, AL out of a possible 15,000 black voters only 335 were registered This led to the march from Selma to Montgomery to focus the nation’s attention on Southern racial barriers to voting. This led to the march from Selma to Montgomery to focus the nation’s attention on Southern racial barriers to voting. This forced Congress to pass the Act. This forced Congress to pass the Act.

Voting Rights Act of 1965 In any state or county where less than half of the possible voters were registered, all literacy and other qualification tests were suspended. In any state or county where less than half of the possible voters were registered, all literacy and other qualification tests were suspended. The Attorney General was empowered to send federal examiners to any county practicing voting discrimination The Attorney General was empowered to send federal examiners to any county practicing voting discrimination