Level 1
What was the 1964 Freedom Summer?
A ten-week campaign in Mississippi designed to increase the amount of black people registered to vote.
To what extent did Martin Luther King Jr. inspire change?
To a large extent. It's because of Martin Luther King and the efforts of his supporters that America came to understand the power of nonviolent protest. When his nonviolent efforts were met with violence, it actually garnered empathy and support for his cause. The public was swayed to such a magnitude that major acts of Congressional power were set in motion.
To what extent was the children’s crusade successful in rallying support to end segregation?
To a large extent. During this event, students went on a demonstration and were arrested in masses. Police used pressure hoses and dogs against the protestors and threw more than 700 of them into jail, which created a media firestorm. The fed. gov. brokered a meeting between MLK and the local authorities, who agreed to desegregate. This inspired an upsurge of support and donations to the civil rights cause.
What federal court ruling declared that segregation in schools was unconstitutional? What year?
Brown vs Board of Education (1954)
Evaluate how and why the Montgomery Bus Boycott worked successfully.
It was very well organized.
It had the strength of unity, involving a large community of dedicated people.
They were able to plan tactics, seek advice and support, and develop financial resources.
Organizations were formed to fight against segregation and create fundamental change.
Their high level of morality helped them win the respect of their enemy.
Evaluate the significance of the Montgomery Bus Boycott in the advancement of the Civil Rights Movement.
The Montgomery bus boycott was highly effective because “national coverage of the boycott and King’s trial resulted in support from people outside Montgomery.” The boycott also helped to end bus segregation. The Montgomery Bus Boycott was a very significant event in the civil rights movement which spanned the 1950's and 60's. The boycott was important because it caught the attention of the entire nation. People around the country were made aware of the event because it was launched on such a massive scale and lasted for more than a year. Furthermore, the Montgomery Bus Boycott was important because it set the tone for the whole civil rights movement. In particular, the boycott gave Martin Luther King a position of leadership within the national movement and showed that the nonviolent methods of protest were effective.
Whose lynching in 1955 shocked America out of its complacency regarding racism?
Emmett Till
What were the Freedom Rides/Riders and what did they seek to achieve?
These were when interracial groups rode throughout the South. The Whites were seated at the back of the bus and the Blacks sat at the front of the bus. They mocked the bus system in the South and showed how racist it truly was. Freedom Riders were civil rights activists who rode interstate buses into the segregated southern United States to challenge the non-enforcement of the United States Supreme Court decisions Irene Morgan v. Commonwealth of Virginia (1946) and Boynton v. Virginia (1960), which ruled that segregated public buses were unconstitutional. The Southern states had ignored the rulings and the federal government did nothing to enforce them.
Evaluate the intentions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 had many provisions, one of which was from an emotional standpoint, giving African Americans their dignity and freedom back and returning hope and justice to the Blacks. This act aimed to not start division between blacks and whites, but end immoral and unconstitutional division amongst the races. The act was meant to be national, not just local, meaning that this act applied to the entirety of the United States and no one was exempt from having to obey it. This helped to eliminate the last vestige of injustice and discrimination in the United States.
What is the definition of disenfranchisement?
The state of being deprived of a right or privilege, especially the right to vote.
How did President Johnson respond to the demand of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP) to be recognized as the official Democratic delegation from Mississippi?
President Lyndon Johnson was fearful of losing white southern votes if the MFDP delegates were seated and advocated a compromise. The credentials committee of the Democratic National Conference (DNC) offered to award the MFDP two at-large seats to seat members of the all-white delegation who would formally promise to support the DNC’s candidates in the upcoming elections campaign and to bar segregated delegations from the 1968 convention.
To what extent was MLK’S “Project Confrontation” successful in bringing attention to his true cause: ending segregation?
Project Confrontation began with a peaceful march calling for a boycott of segregated stores. During this march, the police were advised to crack down violently on the marchers and throw MLK into jail. This brought MLK a lot of media attention, however, many argued that this was counterproductive to MLK’s goals and image. Therefore, the correct answer is to a small extent.
What laws were state and local laws that enforced racial segregation in the Southern US?
Jim Crow laws
What was the nature and effectiveness of the “Easter Boycott”?
The Easter Boycott kept many people out of the downtown area. The merchants had to start closing up their shops due to the lack of customers. The downtown area became very violent and unsafe for people to walk around in.
Who was James Meredith and how effectively did he conduct his campaign?
In 1962, James Meredith tried to enroll at “Ole Miss” - the University of Mississippi - but he was prevented from doing so by the governor, Ross Barnett, who defied President Kennedy. James Meredith’s campaign was very successful. He accomplished what he had sought out to do. His actions and the actions of his enemies, provoked national outrage and helped make the movement for desegregation stronger. Not only did advocate for a movement that he was passionate about, but he was enrolled in a college, gaining a better education.