1. Civil Rights and Reform in the 1960s (1945-1968)
Lesson 2 The Movement Surges Forward

2. The Movement Spreads Demonstrating for Freedom
Sit-Ins
First, was in Greensboro North Carolina
Woolworth's
Feb,
4 students from North Carolina A&T
Sat down at the “White’s Only” counter
Hierocracy: Accept African American money but would not allow them to sit in.
Vowed to “sit-in” till they were served
In spite of abuse, and threats
20 more students join them on feb 2.
Feb 3 – 60+ students joined
6 months later, finally served
Sit-ins Spread
70,000 + people and northerners
Kneel-ins, Slept-ins, Read-ins, watched-ins.

3. Riding for Freedom CORE’s Freedom Rides
1961, CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) tests Court decision banning interstate bus segregation
Freedom riders —blacks, whites sit, use station facilities together
Riders brutally beaten by Alabama mobs; one bus firebombed (blockade)
Bus drivers refused to transport Freedom Riders
Fear of safety
African American busses were bombed
Riders pulled from busses
SNCC volunteers continue ride to Birmingham Alabama
Governor of Alabama promised protection
Riders were harassed
President Kennedy sent 400 US Marshalls to protect riders
History.com Freedom Rides

5. Integrating Ole Miss
1962, federal court rules James Meredith may enroll at U of MS
Governor Ross Barnett refuses to let Meredith register
JFK orders federal marshals to escort Meredith to registrar’s office
Federal officials accompany Meredith to classes, protect his parents

6. Heading into Birmingham
April 1963, SCLC demonstrate to desegregate Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama was known for its strict enforcement of segregation in public life
King arrested, writes “Letter from Birmingham Jail” (later bailed out by Kennedy)
Police chief Eugene “Bull” Connor ordered the police to attack the marchers with high-pressure hoses, dogs, and night-sticks
TV news show police attacking child marchers—fire hoses, dogs, clubs
Continued protests, economic boycott, bad press end segregation

7. Marching to Washington The Dream of Equality
August 1963, over 250,000 people converge on Washington
Speakers demand immediate passage of civil rights bill
King gives “I Have a Dream” speech
LBJ signs Civil Rights Act of 1964
prohibits discrimination in public places, discrimination in employment

8. Voting Rights: The Selma Campaign
1965, voting rights demonstrator killed in Selma, AL
Urged African Americans to register to vote
King leads 600 protest marchers; TV shows police violently stop them
Second march, with federal protection, swells to 25,000 people
History.com Freedom March

9. Voting Rights Act of 1965
Congress finally passes Voting Rights Act of 1965
Stops literacy tests, allows federal officials to enroll voters
Increases black voter enrollment