2. Struggles at Little Rock & Montgomery Bus Boycott proved how difficult it was for Black people to win civil rights against prejudice and the Jim Crow laws President Dwight Eisenhower was not convinced that a law would work… I personally believe if you try to go too far and involve the emotions of so many millions of Americans, you’re making a mistake.

3. However the act passed due to the efforts of Lyndon B Johnson (later to become President) The US Government introduced the Civil Rights Act 1957 1 st Civil Rights act in almost 100 years

4. EISENHOWER’S INFLUENCE He responded to problems (Little Rock), rather than leading the country on an issue He never publicly supported Civil Rights as he believed you couldn’t force people to change their beliefs. Nonetheless, he pushed through the 1957 Civil Rights Act

5. WHY WAS THE 1957 ACT INTRODUCED? A reaction from the Federal Government to the campaign for civil rights by groups like the NAACP and the SCLC Criticism towards the government that it wasn’t helping black people during the events of Brown V Topeka and Little Rock Fear that the government would lose the support of black voters in the North Fear of possible further violence and a potential racial war A successful civil rights act (82 years after the last one) would give further support for Johnson’s bid for presidency Embarrassment over the world-wide attention the Brown V Topeka and Little Rock situations.

6. What did the 1957 Act want? To address the attempt by Southern states to restrict black voting and the ability of black people to claim equal treatment. It wanted the Federal Government through its Justice Department to monitor civil rights abuses However, the final Act was a watered down version of what was initially considered. WHY? Fear of opposition from the right-wing Southern senators.

7. 1.The right for Black people to vote in the South without fear of lynching 2.Justice Department would investigate Civil Rights abuses (e.g. murders) 3.Wanted black people to be able to claim equal treatment What did the 1957 Act want? Reality: it was a watered down version. Why? Fear of opposition from white, right- wing senators (WASPs)

8. What the Act actually said It outlawed any person from having their rights restricted It set up an agency to enforce the Act It gave the Federal Government power over states rights

9. The 1957 Act was important / successful because … It made certain that southern discrimination tactics were illegal It was beginning of further action by Federal Acts It made civil rights activists more determined: it encouraged blacks to vote and it encouraged blacks to complain and get help Gave a valuable insight into how to use the media/tactics Made Martin Luther King a well-known leader

10. The 1957 Act was not important / successful because … The southern states ignored the act and few were investigated for breaking the act Not one black person in the southern states was added to the voting register Merely a gesture – token by the government Changed little in reality It was seen as a face saving exercise for the government by many civil rights workers The campaign had to be continued