Civil rights
Why were attitudes in this time changing regarding racial discrimination?
The Cold War played a huge part in changing attitudes as the U.S was fighting for freedom and democracy, racial discrimination was contradictory to all of these ideals
What was the 24th amendment?
Eliminated poll taxes
Shifted from non-violent to violent! Malcolm X (also known as Elijah Muhammad) preached black nationalism, violent reforms, and self defense
his violent protests, went nowhere and actually convinced young people to choose nonviolent protests
Southern Christian leadership conference
Founded by Martin Luther king jr after bus boycott. Used nonviolent protests, religious and interracial networks, and media as tools to promote change
What was the Montgomery bus boycott?
In Montgomery, Alabama Rosa parks refused to give up her seat to a white person, resulting in her arrest due to violating the segregation laws
effect: massive African American protests in form of boycotting buses and inspired other civil rights protests that reshaped America over decades
effect of bus boycott: Supreme Court ruled segregation laws were unconstitutional
Who was the first president to challenge racial discrimination? How did they do this?
Truman! He established the committee of civil rights and desegregated the armed forces!
What are race riots?
Destruction in black neighborhoods
effect: Lerner commission: investigation of race riots, concluded racism and segregation were responsible and that the U.S was becoming “two societies, one black, one white-separate and unequal”
Student nonviolent coordinating committee
Founded to assist black and white youths who were staging sit ins, freedom rides, and other nonviolent protests, were often challenged by white leaders.
Birmingham letter
Famous civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr was jailed after being involved in a nonviolent protest
he wrote the Birmingham letter from jail, which later persuaded president Kennady to support a tougher civil rights bill
What is Brown V. The board of education?
Court case that ended the segregation of black children in public schools! Argued that the segregation of black children in public schools violated the 14th amendment, “equal protection of the laws”
effect: critics led to Little Rock in which resulted in Eisenhower ordering federal troops to stand guard around Little Rock to protect black students.
De facto segregation
Caused by racist attitudes in north and west
black panthers
Organized by Huey newton and Bobby seale as a revolution socialist movement advocating for self rule for African Americans. Believed in armed self defense against white violence
March on Washington
Led by Martin luther King jr where he gave his famous “I have a dream” speech, which appealed for the end of racial discrimination
Civil rights act of 1964
Made segregation illegal in ALL public facilities
National Association for The Advancement of Colored People
Works in court to try and overturn supreme courts decision in Plessy v ferguson
Equal employment opportunity committee
End of discrimination regarding employment