1. “The Equal Rights Struggle Expands”
Other groups borrowed heavily from the Civil Rights struggles of African Americans:
They created organizations similar to the
SCLC and SNCC to fight for their cause
Many used non-violent protests to bring
attention to their causes
Laws passed due to the African American
civil rights movement protected the rights
of members of these other groups as well

2. Mexican Americans Organize
By 1960’s most Mexican Americans lived in the cities of the southwest
La Raza Unida (“United People”) – organization formed in 1970 that fought for better jobs, pay, education, housing, and to elect Mexican American candidates

3. Mexican Americans (continued)
Cesar Chavez – started a union for migrant farmers in California
Used non-violent protests, strikes, and boycotts
won a contract with higher pay and better benefits

4. Mexican Americans (continued)
Cinco de Mayo – May 5th holiday which celebrates the 1862 victory of Mexico over France (holiday for Mexican national and cultural pride)

5. Mexican American students in the Southwest fought for better schools, more courses on Mexican-American culture and history, and more Mexican-American teachers
By mid 1970’s many of the school reforms that the students called for had been made

6. Hispanic Diversity
Hispanics trace their roots to Spanish-speaking countries and cultures
Hispanic Americans come from different countries, so they often have differences
Mexicans concerned about immigration to the U.S. and citizenship
Cubans worried about the freedom of their home country from communism
Puerto Ricans (P.R. a territory of the U.S.) are not worried about either issue

7. Native Americans Unite
Termination Policy – U.S. govt. policy in 1953 that ended federal protection of the reservation land held by tribes
National Congress of American Indians – founded in 1944
promoted pride in traditional Native American cultures
led protests against the termination policy
National Congress of American Indians logo

8. Native Americans Unite (continued)
American Indian Movement – fought a more aggressive campaign for rights and recognition of tribal laws
Occupied the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1972 for 7 days in protest
AIM leader Russell Means

9. Indian Self-Determination Act of 1975 – gave tribal governments more control over social programs, law enforcement, and education on reservations
Issues today for Native Americans relate to hunting and fishing rights, access to water, and casino gambling

10. The Women’s Movement (continued)
National Organization for Women (N.O.W.) – organization formed in 1966 whose major goals were to help women get good jobs and equal pay for equal work
NOW protest in New Jersey in 1972 ►

11. The Women’s Movement
In the 1960’s women also demanded equal rights in job opportunities, pay, legal rights, and to keep jobs if pregnant
Betty Friedan – wrote The Feminine Mystique, a book that described the problems women faced in the 1950’s and 1960’s; and was one of the founders of N.O.W. ↑
Betty Friedan

12. Needed 38 states to ratify it by 1982 (only 35 did)
Equal Rights Amendment (E.R.A.) – Constitutional amendment passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification
It would guarantee women equal opportunities in jobs and education, and equal pay for equal work
Needed 38 states to ratify it by 1982 (only 35 did)
Other laws do
protect the rights
of women, such
as the Civil Rights
Act of 1964 and
the Higher
Education Act
ERA activists ►