1. The Civil Rights Movement
Period of time between the 1950’s and 1970’s when a great emphasis was placed on creating true equality in America and removing racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination from our culture.

2. Background
World War II – Women and minorities play a significant role in achieving victory during WWII both in the war itself and on the home front.
Good Economy – American economy continues to “boom” after WWII.
Quality of life for most Americans improves.
More willing to share the pie.

3. Early Achievements
1947 – Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby break the color barrier in Major League Baseball.
1948 – U.S. military is desegregated.
1954 – Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, KS.
Segregation is illegal in schools; separate is not equal; overturns Plessy v. Ferguson
1955 – Rosa Parks – Montgomery Bus Boycott.

4. Martin Luther King, Jr. Educated son of a minister.
Wanted equality and integration.
Civil disobedience and non-violent resistance
Learned from Gandhi.
Assassinated 1968 by a member of the KKK.

5. Malcolm X
Grew up on the streets. In trouble with the law at an early age.
True segregation.
Treat violence with violence.
Converts to Islam.
Changes his stance; moves closer to that of MLK.
Assassinated in 1965 by the Black Muslims.

6. Protests sit-ins, boycott, marches, speeches, riots etc.
covered by the media and broadcast throughout the nation.
helped make people aware of the problems.
CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE – intentionally breaking the law and accepting the consequences to bring attention to a matter of injustice.

7. Milestones 1963 – March on Washington 1964 – Civil Rights Act
Makes discrimination illegal
1965 – Voting Rights Act
No literacy tests
1966 – National Organization of Women –NOW- created
1973 – American Indian Movement – AIM
1975 – Voting Rights Act – Bilingual ballots