The Civil Rights Movement chapter 21, sections 1, 2, and 3

Rise in African American Influence The Great Migration – Blacks moved to the cities in large numbers, developing political power and concentrated community leadership.

The New Deal – FDR began to court black voters to gather support for his new deal. WWII – Largely fought against racism

Organizations NAACP - Organized, well led group that sought to bring an end to legalized segregation (de jure).

CORE - sought to bring about change through peaceful confrontation. National Urban League - assisted poor blacks moving into major urban areas.

Organizations SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conf.) –Formed by clergymen to protest racial inequality. MLK was the founder.

SNCC (Student Non-violent Coor. Comm.) –Formed by students who felt the SLCS did not meet the needs of young blacks (particularly students)

Non-violence – No matter what happened to you, you would not react to your aggressor. This technique showed the hatefulness and aggression of the segregationists.

Sit-ins and Boycotts – both were very effective forms of non-violent protest used by the SCLC and SNCC.

Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education Headed by the NAACP Sought to overturn Plessey v. Ferguson, which established “separate but equal”. –Desegregate elementary schools in Topeka, Kansas

Went all the way to the Supreme Court –NAACP lawyer was Thurgood Marshall Plaintiffs won, ending de jure segregation –All schools in America must now integrate

Montgomery Bus Boycott Headed by the NAACP –looking for someone like Rosa Parks, who was of spotless character –Parks had trouble with the same driver before

Boycott that lasted 382 days (13 mos) –Black Churches raised money for new shoes, cab fare, and car pools –This is the first time we see MLK in a large scale leadership role. This job puts him in the forefront of the Civil Rights Moment

Montgomery Bus Boycott cont. City tried to break the strike –Cab fines –Revoke insurance –violence

Bus Companies wouldn’t change policies, the case went to the Supreme Court –Ruled in favor of plaintiffs Ended de jure segregation in all public facilities

“The Little Rock 9” Arkansas Governor barred the door of a white schoolhouse with the national guard. Eisenhower places the national guard under federal command, and allowed the students to attend Little Rock’s Central High School.

Integration at Ole Miss James Meredith wanted to transfer from Jackson State to Ole Miss, and was denied. The Case went to the Supreme Court, and Meredith was admitted.

Integration at Ole Miss cont. The Governor of Mississippi personally “barred the schoolhouse door” Riots and 2 deaths followed his admission.

Freedom Rides SNCC wants to test the Supreme Courts ruling over segregation in public facilities Organized bus ride from Washington D.C. to through the South to New Orleans.

Ride died out in Jackson, Mississippi when all of the riders were arrested.

The “Freedom Riders” were met with extreme violence at every turn. –Americans were alarmed at the images from the ride.

Lynching One of the great risks that protestors brought upon themselves and their families was that of lynching, which was a very real threat in the South. The people that were guilty of the lynching were never punished

Birmingham (Bombingham) Protest MLK called Birmingham “the most segregated city in America”. –Police Commissioner Bull Connor was completely against integration

King called for a series of marches and sit-ins that would bring about change.

King (and others) were arrested for conducting a “parade” without a permit. King was criticized by local ministers for his civil disobedience. King Responds with his “Letter from A Birmingham Jail”.

As the marches continued, Connor had firemen blast protestors with water hoses, and had his policemen use police dogs to break up the unarmed protestors, many of whom were young people, and the elderly.

The nation was shocked to see these images of widespread violence against the protestors. The protest worked, and the city of Birmingham was desegregated.

Chapter 21 sections 4 and 5

MLK Fourth generation Minister Rose to prominence during the Montgomery Bus Boycott The most important Civil Rights Movement leader

Sought to awaken moderate Americans Lived with constant death threats and physical intimidation

Kennedy and Civil Rights Actively courted black votes Proposed Civil Rights legislation, but was blocked by Southern Congressmen

Was accused to have moved slowing on Civil Rights issues –Kennedy did not want to lose Congressional Support.

March on Washington “March for Jobs and Freedom” Opposed by Kennedy, who didn’t want to alienate southern congressmen

Scorned by many Black Nationalist Groups Became a very powerful symbol

“I Have a Dream” speech

Johnson and Civil rights Picked up where Kennedy left off Johnson did MUCH further than Kennedy did on Civil Rights legislation

CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 –Banned different voting standards –Banned discriminations in public places –Banned discrimination on the base of race, sex, age, religion or nation of origin

“We have lost the south for a generation”. - LBJ

Freedom Summer Mostly college students (white and black) Sought to register voters

Subject to extreme violence Churches and houses were burned and bombed James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerman were murdered

Selma Protest led by MLK Violence against protestors LBJ supports with federal troops

Led to important legislation: Voting Rights Act of 1965 –Federal officials could register voters 24 th Amendment –Banned Poll taxes

The Rise of Black Nationalism

Many disavowed non-violence, felt it did not work, or took too long. “We shall overcome” became “We shall overrun”

Sought to build up black pride and black communities Members were almost exclusively black

Black Panthers Most influential Black Nationalist group –Originally created to monitor police in California Members sought to –Rebuild communities –Set up “Survival Programs”

Clashed with police, violence was not uncommon

Malcolm X Born to activist parents Outstanding student in Junior High, dropped out Turned to a life of “hustling”

Joins Nation of Islam in Prison Emerges from prison with a purpose Very critical of MLK and non-violence, very distrusting of white society.

"At one time the whites in the United States called him a racialist, and extremist, and a Communist. Then the Black Muslims came along and the whites thanked the Lord for Martin Luther King."

Prominent leader of Nation of Islam, then splits from group Goes on Hajj (pilgrimage)

Returns a different man –More inclusive to whites, and other groups –Blacks still have the right to defend themselves 1965 – Allegedly Assassinated by the Nation of Islam

1968 Assassinations of MLK leads to widespread rioting and disillusionment. The Civil Rights movement is robbed of its most prominent leaders

LBJ does not run for re-election RFK assassinated

Tensions run high throughout the country; minor incidents set off riots that last for days, and destroy black neighborhoods.

Stalls after 1968 Black officials up 90%

Black Mayors in many cities Shirley Chisholm was the first black woman elected to Congress

Legacy of the Civil Rights Movement Barbara Jordan (Texas) 1 st Black Senator in Texas since Reconstruction, later US Congresswoman Thurgood Marshall – 1 st Black Supreme Court Justice