1. The Emergence of Civil Rights as a National Issue When thousands of blacks marched through downtown Birmingham, AL, to protest racial segregation in April 1963, they were met with fire hoses and attack dogs unleashed by Police Chief Bull Connor.

2. Bell-Ringer: Lunch Counter Protest In 1960, a few black college students protested against segregated restaurants by staging a sit-in at a lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina. The nonviolent tactic proved effective. What other nonviolent protest tactics can you think of? Which do you consider most useful? Which would you employ if you wanted to protest something? Explain your answers.

3. Although the struggle for civil rights had preoccupied African Americans since Reconstruction (1865-1877), it took on a new urgency during the 1940s. Poor treatment of black soldiers during WWII and violent crimes against blacks after the warmany of them veteranssparked anger.Although the struggle for civil rights had preoccupied African Americans since Reconstruction (1865-1877), it took on a new urgency during the 1940s. Poor treatment of black soldiers during WWII and violent crimes against blacks after the warmany of them veteranssparked anger. At the same time, black expectations had been raised by wartime opportunities and symbolic victories like Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in baseball in 1947.At the same time, black expectations had been raised by wartime opportunities and symbolic victories like Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in baseball in 1947. During Harry Trumans presidency, sympathies for civil rights were reinforced, especially since many of them were Democrats. Trumans presidency saw a movement toward a more expanded federal government role in civil rights legislationwhich would come about by the 1960s. Truman proposed many laws that would benefit blacks, but many were blocked by Congress. (He did desegregate the armed forces, though!).During Harry Trumans presidency, sympathies for civil rights were reinforced, especially since many of them were Democrats. Trumans presidency saw a movement toward a more expanded federal government role in civil rights legislationwhich would come about by the 1960s. Truman proposed many laws that would benefit blacks, but many were blocked by Congress. (He did desegregate the armed forces, though!). Legal segregation of the races, however, still governed the southern way of life in the early 1950s. It most states it was illegal for whites and blacks to use the same types of facilities.Legal segregation of the races, however, still governed the southern way of life in the early 1950s. It most states it was illegal for whites and blacks to use the same types of facilities.

4. During WWII, a leading black newspaper, The Pittsburgh Courier asserted that the wartime emergency called for a Double V campaign seeking victory over our enemies at home and victory over our enemies on the battlefields abroad.

5. Every southern state mandated rigid segregation in public settings ranging from hospitals and schools to drinking fountains and restrooms.Every southern state mandated rigid segregation in public settings ranging from hospitals and schools to drinking fountains and restrooms. Voting laws and practices in the South disfranchised the vast majority of African Americans in that region; employment discrimination kept them at the bottom of the economic ladder throughout the country.Voting laws and practices in the South disfranchised the vast majority of African Americans in that region; employment discrimination kept them at the bottom of the economic ladder throughout the country. Although black protest was as old as American racism, in the 1950s a grassroots movement arose that attracted national attention and the support of white liberal-minded individuals.Although black protest was as old as American racism, in the 1950s a grassroots movement arose that attracted national attention and the support of white liberal-minded individuals. Pressed by civil rights groups, the Supreme Court delivered significant institutional reforms, but he most important changes of all occurred among blacks themselves.Pressed by civil rights groups, the Supreme Court delivered significant institutional reforms, but he most important changes of all occurred among blacks themselves. Between 1940 and 1960, more than three million African Americans moved from the South into areas where they could vote and exert political pressure.Between 1940 and 1960, more than three million African Americans moved from the South into areas where they could vote and exert political pressure. Black leaders made sure that foreign policy officials realized how racist practices at home handicapped the United States in its competition with the Soviet Union for new allies.Black leaders made sure that foreign policy officials realized how racist practices at home handicapped the United States in its competition with the Soviet Union for new allies.