Civil RightsCivil Rights

From 1898 to the 1950’s, laws regarding From 1898 to the 1950’s, laws regarding race were influenced the race were influenced the Plessey vsPlessey vs. . FergusonFerguson Supreme Court decision Supreme Court decision

In the Plessey vs. Ferguson decision, the In the Plessey vs. Ferguson decision, the US Supreme Court said that segregation US Supreme Court said that segregation between the races was legal, as long as it between the races was legal, as long as it was “separate but equal”was “separate but equal”

Many Southern states passed the Many Southern states passed the Jim Crow LawsJim Crow Laws

Jim Crow LawsJim Crow Laws: laws that officially : laws that officially separated the racesseparated the races

Whites and blacks could not marry, have Whites and blacks could not marry, have social relationships, or attend mixed race social relationships, or attend mixed race religious services religious services

There were separate schools, waiting There were separate schools, waiting rooms, trains cars, public bathrooms, etc. rooms, trains cars, public bathrooms, etc.

The Civil Rights movement became The Civil Rights movement became very big after WW2very big after WW2

Four factors led to the rise of the Civil Four factors led to the rise of the Civil Rights movement Rights movement 1.)African-American migration to the North1.)African-American migration to the North 2.)The New Deal2.)The New Deal 3.)World War II3.)World War II 4.)NAACP4.)NAACP

African-American migrationAfrican-American migration

From 1910 to 1940, the African-American From 1910 to 1940, the African-American population in New York City went from population in New York City went from 60,000 to 450,00060,000 to 450,000

As the population increased, African-As the population increased, African-Americans in the North began gaining Americans in the North began gaining political influencepolitical influence

New DealNew Deal

New Deal: Economic program to help the New Deal: Economic program to help the economy during the Great Depressioneconomy during the Great Depression

The New Deal helped African-Americans The New Deal helped African-Americans because FDR and the Democratic actively because FDR and the Democratic actively courted the African-American community courted the African-American community for their votesfor their votes

World War IIWorld War II

African-Americans went to war for the US, African-Americans went to war for the US, just like everyone elsejust like everyone else

How can the US be outraged at the Nazis How can the US be outraged at the Nazis and then come home to a segregated and then come home to a segregated society? society?

Also, many African-Americans moved to Also, many African-Americans moved to the North during WW2 to work for the war the North during WW2 to work for the war efforteffort

NAACP (National Association for NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored the Advancement of Colored

People)People)

The NAACP was a Northern based The NAACP was a Northern based organization that raised money to help organization that raised money to help African-AmericansAfrican-Americans

The NAACP routinely raised money to The NAACP routinely raised money to fight unjust laws in courtfight unjust laws in court

The NAACP specifically targeted The NAACP specifically targeted the the Plessey v. FergusonPlessey v. Ferguson case case

In In Plessey v. FergusonPlessey v. Ferguson, the US Supreme , the US Supreme Court ruled that segregation was legal Court ruled that segregation was legal (separate but equal)(separate but equal)One of the more influential legal advisors One of the more influential legal advisors to the NAACP was Charles Hamilton to the NAACP was Charles Hamilton Houston, a law professor at Howard Houston, a law professor at Howard University, who suggested that the University, who suggested that the NAACP sue on behalf of African-American NAACP sue on behalf of African-American school studentsschool students

Brown v. Board of EducationBrown v. Board of Education

In 1951, Oliver Brown sued the school In 1951, Oliver Brown sued the school board of Topeka, Kansas because his 8-board of Topeka, Kansas because his 8-year old daughter could not attend the year old daughter could not attend the school closest to her home because it was school closest to her home because it was a “whites only” schoola “whites only” school

Thurgood Marshall and the NAACP Thurgood Marshall and the NAACP agreed to take the caseagreed to take the case

In 1954, the US Supreme Court In 1954, the US Supreme Court ruled:ruled:

The “separate but equal” portion of the The “separate but equal” portion of the Plessey v. FergusonPlessey v. Ferguson case was case was unconstitutional unconstitutional

All public schools in the US had to be All public schools in the US had to be desegregated with “all deliberate speed”desegregated with “all deliberate speed”

Reaction to the Reaction to the Brown vs. BoardBrown vs. Board decision was mixed decision was mixed

Kansas and Oklahoma had no problems Kansas and Oklahoma had no problems with the decisionwith the decision

The governor of Texas warned it would The governor of Texas warned it would “take years” to desegregate schools“take years” to desegregate schools

Georgia Governor Herman Talmadge Georgia Governor Herman Talmadge claimed that he was never going to allow claimed that he was never going to allow desegregation in schoolsdesegregation in schools

Within a year, 500 schools districts Within a year, 500 schools districts desegregated desegregated

However, in some places, the However, in some places, the desegregation of schools led to the rise of desegregation of schools led to the rise of the KKKthe KKK

Schools in Baltimore, St. Louis, and Schools in Baltimore, St. Louis, and Washington, DC were now desegregated Washington, DC were now desegregated

As schools became desegregated, As schools became desegregated, problems arose in Little Rock, problems arose in Little Rock,

ArkansasArkansasArkansas Governor Orval Faubus sent the Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus sent the National Guard to stop the “Little Rock National Guard to stop the “Little Rock Nine” (African-American students who Nine” (African-American students who volunteered to desegregate Central High volunteered to desegregate Central High School)School)

Knowing that there was going to be problems, Knowing that there was going to be problems, the NAACP in Little Rock called the students to the NAACP in Little Rock called the students to tell them not to come to school on the first daytell them not to come to school on the first day

One student, Elizabeth Eckford, did not One student, Elizabeth Eckford, did not have a phonehave a phone

Elizabeth Eckford was heckled and Elizabeth Eckford was heckled and confronted as she entered Central HSconfronted as she entered Central HS

As a result, President Eisenhower placed As a result, President Eisenhower placed the Arkansas National Guard under the Arkansas National Guard under Federal controlFederal control

The next major step in Civil Rights The next major step in Civil Rights reform was the Montgomery Bus reform was the Montgomery Bus

BoycottBoycott

Rosa Parks, an NAACP member, refused Rosa Parks, an NAACP member, refused to give up her seat to a white passenger to give up her seat to a white passenger on a crowded buson a crowded bus

Rosa Parks was arrested for violating Rosa Parks was arrested for violating segregation lawssegregation laws

Jo Ann Robinson of the Women’s Jo Ann Robinson of the Women’s Political Council suggested a bus Political Council suggested a bus

boycottboycott

The plan was for all African-Americans to The plan was for all African-Americans to avoid riding the public bus system in avoid riding the public bus system in Montgomery, Alabama until the rules were Montgomery, Alabama until the rules were changedchanged

Jo Ann Robinson asked Martin Luther Jo Ann Robinson asked Martin Luther King to become the spokesman of the King to become the spokesman of the boycottboycott

The bus boycott lasted for over one The bus boycott lasted for over one yearyear

Some whites participated in the boycott by Some whites participated in the boycott by driving blacks to where they had to godriving blacks to where they had to go

In 1956, the US Supreme Court ruled that In 1956, the US Supreme Court ruled that public buses could not be segregated public buses could not be segregated

The Montgomery Bus Boycott The Montgomery Bus Boycott made Martin Luther King a made Martin Luther King a household name in the UShousehold name in the US

MLK was appealing because he wanted MLK was appealing because he wanted protesters to practice nonviolent resistanceprotesters to practice nonviolent resistance

MLK’s influence:MLK’s influence: 1.)Jesus (love your enemies)1.)Jesus (love your enemies) 2.)Henry David Thoreau (2.)Henry David Thoreau (civil disobediencecivil disobedience: the : the

refusal to obey an unjust law) refusal to obey an unjust law) 3.)A. Philip Randolph (how to organize a 3.)A. Philip Randolph (how to organize a

demonstration)demonstration) 4.)Ghandi (do not use violence)4.)Ghandi (do not use violence)

MLK began a civil rights group called MLK began a civil rights group called the Southern Christian Leadership the Southern Christian Leadership

Conference (SCLCConference (SCLC))

The SCLC wanted to “to carry on The SCLC wanted to “to carry on nonviolent crusades against the evils of nonviolent crusades against the evils of second class citizenship”second class citizenship”

The SCLC used churches as the base for The SCLC used churches as the base for their proteststheir protests

Another major civil rights group was the Another major civil rights group was the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Student Nonviolent Coordinating

Committee (SNCC)Committee (SNCC)SNCC was founded by Ella Baker, who SNCC was founded by Ella Baker, who wanted more college students involved in wanted more college students involved in the Civil Rights the Civil Rights

Many college students were upset Many college students were upset because colleges in the South were slow because colleges in the South were slow to integrate to integrate

CORE began to use CORE began to use sit-ins sit-ins as a as a form of protestform of protest

Sit-ins were effective because it forced Sit-ins were effective because it forced business owners to decide whether to give business owners to decide whether to give the protestors what they wanted or the protestors what they wanted or potentially lose businesspotentially lose business

One famous sit-in was at One famous sit-in was at Woolworth’s in Greensboro, NCWoolworth’s in Greensboro, NC

College students wanted to eat at the all-white College students wanted to eat at the all-white food lunch counter at Woolworth’s Department food lunch counter at Woolworth’s Department StoreStoreTV cameras were there as whites began to TV cameras were there as whites began to violently move the black protestors violently move the black protestors Eventually, Woolworth’s removed lunch counter Eventually, Woolworth’s removed lunch counter seats and raised the price of food to discourage seats and raised the price of food to discourage future sit-insfuture sit-insMany people in the North were disgusted by Many people in the North were disgusted by what they saw on TVwhat they saw on TV

Another major incident in the Civil Another major incident in the Civil Rights movement was the freedom Rights movement was the freedom

ridesrides

The freedom riders took two public buses The freedom riders took two public buses throughout the South to make sure that throughout the South to make sure that the laws regarding desegregated buses the laws regarding desegregated buses were being followedwere being followed

CORE and SNCC teamed up to pack the CORE and SNCC teamed up to pack the buses with Civil Rights activists buses with Civil Rights activists

In Alabama, white racists beat up In Alabama, white racists beat up African-Americans on the first bus African-Americans on the first bus

Some of the riders were beat with chains Some of the riders were beat with chains and others were pistol whipped and others were pistol whipped

The second bus saw much more The second bus saw much more violenceviolence

In Anniston, Alabama, 200 whites attacked In Anniston, Alabama, 200 whites attacked the busthe bus

The mob smashed the windows and threw The mob smashed the windows and threw a fire bomb in the busa fire bomb in the bus

No one died, but many people were No one died, but many people were outragedoutraged

The Greyhound bus company The Greyhound bus company refused to continue driving the busrefused to continue driving the bus

US Attorney General Robert Kennedy US Attorney General Robert Kennedy ordered the bus company and driver to ordered the bus company and driver to continue the tripcontinue the trip

Violence kept follow the bus throughout Violence kept follow the bus throughout AlabamaAlabama

Eventually, JFK sent federal marshals to Eventually, JFK sent federal marshals to protect the bus until the trip ended in protect the bus until the trip ended in Jackson, MississippiJackson, Mississippi

As schools were desegregating in Mississippi, As schools were desegregating in Mississippi, James Meredith attempted to enroll at the James Meredith attempted to enroll at the

University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)

James Meredith was an Air Force veteran James Meredith was an Air Force veteran who won a Federal court case to integrate who won a Federal court case to integrate the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)

Mississippi Governor Ross Barnett Mississippi Governor Ross Barnett personally blocked Meredith from personally blocked Meredith from registeringregistering

When James Meredith faced When James Meredith faced difficulty, the Federal government difficulty, the Federal government

became involved became involved

JFK ordered Federal marshals to escort JFK ordered Federal marshals to escort Meredith to classMeredith to class

When riots broke out on campus, two When riots broke out on campus, two people diedpeople died

Meredith, however, stayed at Ole MissMeredith, however, stayed at Ole Miss

Birmingham, Alabama continued to Birmingham, Alabama continued to be a problem with people who be a problem with people who

wanted Civil Rightswanted Civil RightsRev. Fred Shuttlesworth (SCLC member) Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth (SCLC member) invited MLK to Birmingham to protest with invited MLK to Birmingham to protest with the African-American communitythe African-American community

Shuttlesworth, MLK, and the SCLC Shuttlesworth, MLK, and the SCLC protested for a weekprotested for a week

MLK was eventually arrested on MLK was eventually arrested on Good FridayGood Friday

While in jail, MLK wrote a letter to white While in jail, MLK wrote a letter to white religious leader who thought he was religious leader who thought he was working too fastworking too fast

““When you have to concoct an answer for When you have to concoct an answer for a five year old who asks “Daddy, why do a five year old who asks “Daddy, why do white people treat colored people so white people treat colored people so mean?...then you will understand why we mean?...then you will understand why we find it difficult to wait find it difficult to wait

When MLK posted bail, he planned When MLK posted bail, he planned more demonstrations in more demonstrations in

BirminghamBirminghamBirmingham Police Commissioner Bull Birmingham Police Commissioner Bull Connor tried to stop the demonstrationsConnor tried to stop the demonstrations

The police in Birmingham met the The police in Birmingham met the demonstrators with fire hoses and attack demonstrators with fire hoses and attack dogs dogs

The rest of the country was shocked when The rest of the country was shocked when they saw this on TVthey saw this on TV

As violence increased, JFK As violence increased, JFK became more involvedbecame more involved

June 11, 1963, JFK sent troops to force June 11, 1963, JFK sent troops to force Alabama Governor George Wallace to Alabama Governor George Wallace to desegregate the University of Alabamadesegregate the University of Alabama

JFK demanded that Congress pass a Civil JFK demanded that Congress pass a Civil Rights BillRights Bill

Just hours after a JFK Civil Rights speech, Just hours after a JFK Civil Rights speech, Medgar Evers, a leader of the NAACP, Medgar Evers, a leader of the NAACP, was murdered was murdered

In the early 1960’s, all Civil Rights In the early 1960’s, all Civil Rights groups wants African-Americans to groups wants African-Americans to

develop a new identitydevelop a new identity

Through the 1960’s, the Civil Rights Through the 1960’s, the Civil Rights movement began to changemovement began to change

People began focusing on what was People began focusing on what was happening in the Northhappening in the North

In the North, African-Americans In the North, African-Americans dealt with dealt with de facto segregationde facto segregation

De facto segregation: segregation that De facto segregation: segregation that exists by practice and customexists by practice and custom

De facto segregation is difficult because it De facto segregation is difficult because it deals more with people’s attitudesdeals more with people’s attitudes

In a sense, its segregation because we In a sense, its segregation because we accept itaccept it

De facto segregation increased De facto segregation increased after WW2 as more African-after WW2 as more African-

Americans moved to the NorthAmericans moved to the North

““White Flight:” great numbers of whites move White Flight:” great numbers of whites move out of the cities and into the nearby suburbsout of the cities and into the nearby suburbs

Meanwhile, many African-Americans lived in Meanwhile, many African-Americans lived in poor housing in the Northern cities poor housing in the Northern cities

Traditional African-American schools did not Traditional African-American schools did not score as wellscore as well

Unemployment rates were higher in black Unemployment rates were higher in black neighborhoodsneighborhoods

Therefore, there was a great Therefore, there was a great amount of anger in the black amount of anger in the black

neighborhoodsneighborhoods

African-Americans were especially angry African-Americans were especially angry with the police, who they saw as with the police, who they saw as oppressors oppressors

MLK led a march in Chicago in 1966 to MLK led a march in Chicago in 1966 to end de facto segregationend de facto segregation

Some whites in Chicago met the Some whites in Chicago met the protesters by throwing rocks and bottlesprotesters by throwing rocks and bottles

In the South, African-Americans In the South, African-Americans dealt with dealt with de jurede jure segregation segregation

De jure De jure segregation: segregation by lawsegregation: segregation by law

Violence in many inner cities Violence in many inner cities continued throughout the 1960’scontinued throughout the 1960’s

A race riot occurred in Harlem in 1964 A race riot occurred in Harlem in 1964 because the death of a 15 year old because the death of a 15 year old African-American boy was blamed on the African-American boy was blamed on the police police

One of the worst race riots in the One of the worst race riots in the US occurred in Watts, a US occurred in Watts, a

neighborhood in Los Angelesneighborhood in Los Angeles34 people died and hundreds of millions of 34 people died and hundreds of millions of dollars worth of property was destroyed dollars worth of property was destroyed

Many whites did not understand Many whites did not understand this sudden jump in violencethis sudden jump in violence

Would this cause the African-American Would this cause the African-American community to lose all of the gains made in community to lose all of the gains made in the Civil Rights movement? the Civil Rights movement?

In reality, many African-Americans were In reality, many African-Americans were upset with the lack of job opportunities and upset with the lack of job opportunities and moneymoney

By the mid 1960’s, MLK began speaking By the mid 1960’s, MLK began speaking more and more about economic issuesmore and more about economic issues

As the Civil Rights movement wore As the Civil Rights movement wore on, more radical and militant on, more radical and militant

leaders emergedleaders emerged

The most famous radical leader was The most famous radical leader was Malcolm X (real name is Malcolm Little)Malcolm X (real name is Malcolm Little)

As a child, Malcolm X spent time in jailAs a child, Malcolm X spent time in jail

While in jail, Malcolm X joined the Nation While in jail, Malcolm X joined the Nation of Islam (Black Muslims)of Islam (Black Muslims)

The Nation of Islam viewed white The Nation of Islam viewed white society as oppressivesociety as oppressive

The leader of the Nation of Islam was The leader of the Nation of Islam was Elijah MuhammadElijah Muhammad

Elijah Muhammad believed that Allah Elijah Muhammad believed that Allah would create a “Black Nation” of nonwhite would create a “Black Nation” of nonwhite peoplepeople

Malcolm X did not support MLKMalcolm X did not support MLK

Malcolm X called the March on Malcolm X called the March on Washington the “Farce on Washington”Washington the “Farce on Washington”

Malcolm X believed the non violent Civil Malcolm X believed the non violent Civil Rights movement was merely “begging the Rights movement was merely “begging the white man” white man”

Malcolm X did not think anyone really Malcolm X did not think anyone really wanted integrationwanted integration

Eventually, Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad Eventually, Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad had major disagreements regarding the Nation had major disagreements regarding the Nation

of Islamof Islam

Malcolm X created his own organization Malcolm X created his own organization called the Muslim Mosque, Inccalled the Muslim Mosque, Inc

In 1964, Malcolm X made the In 1964, Malcolm X made the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, which Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, which

changed his lifechanged his lifeAfter seeing so many different types of After seeing so many different types of Muslims worshipping peacefully at Mecca, Muslims worshipping peacefully at Mecca, he believed that whites and blacks could he believed that whites and blacks could work together in the USwork together in the US

Many people in the Nation of Islam were Many people in the Nation of Islam were upset with Malcolm X’s changeupset with Malcolm X’s change

In February 1965, Malcolm X was shot In February 1965, Malcolm X was shot and killed while giving a speechand killed while giving a speech

Three Nation of Islam members were Three Nation of Islam members were arrested for his murder arrested for his murder

Tension between the Civil Rights Tension between the Civil Rights groups became public in 1966groups became public in 1966

James Meredith was shot while setting out James Meredith was shot while setting out to complete his “walk against fear” to complete his “walk against fear” campaigncampaign

MLK (SCLC) and Stokely Carmichael MLK (SCLC) and Stokely Carmichael (SNCC) agreed that their members would (SNCC) agreed that their members would finish Meredith’s walkfinish Meredith’s walk

On the walk, it became clear that SNCC On the walk, it became clear that SNCC had become very militanthad become very militant

SNCC made fun of MLK’s “We SNCC made fun of MLK’s “We shall overcome” quoteshall overcome” quote

SNCC liked to say “We shall overrun” SNCC liked to say “We shall overrun”

Stokely Carmichael began the idea of Stokely Carmichael began the idea of “Black Power:” a call for black people to “Black Power:” a call for black people to begin to define their own goals and to lead begin to define their own goals and to lead their own organizationstheir own organizations

MLK cautioned Carmichael that his actions MLK cautioned Carmichael that his actions would antagonize whites would antagonize whites

Another more militant group was Another more militant group was the Black Panthersthe Black Panthers

The Black Panthers were founded in The Black Panthers were founded in Oakland, California in 1966 by Huey Oakland, California in 1966 by Huey Newton and Bobby SealeNewton and Bobby Seale

The Black Panthers wanted to fight police The Black Panthers wanted to fight police brutality in black neighborhoodsbrutality in black neighborhoods

The Black Panthers believed…The Black Panthers believed…

That African-Americans should be self-That African-Americans should be self-sufficientsufficient

African-Americans should gain full African-Americans should gain full employment and good housing in their employment and good housing in their own neighborhoodsown neighborhoods

African-Americans should not have to African-Americans should not have to serve in the US militaryserve in the US military

MLK was killed on April 4, 1968MLK was killed on April 4, 1968

MLK was in Memphis, Tennessee to MLK was in Memphis, Tennessee to support striking garbage workerssupport striking garbage workers

MLK was killed by James Earl Ray, who MLK was killed by James Earl Ray, who shot him as he stood on a hotel balconyshot him as he stood on a hotel balcony

As a result of MLK’s murder, rioting As a result of MLK’s murder, rioting occurred in many black occurred in many black

neighborhoods throughout the US neighborhoods throughout the US

52 people died in the rioting52 people died in the rioting

President Johnson wanted to know President Johnson wanted to know why there was so much violence in why there was so much violence in

American citiesAmerican citiesThe Kerner Commission investigated the The Kerner Commission investigated the

causes of urban violencecauses of urban violence

The Kerner Commission claimed that white The Kerner Commission claimed that white racism was the main reason for the racism was the main reason for the violenceviolence

The Kerner Commission suggested The Kerner Commission suggested that the US government:that the US government:

Create new jobsCreate new jobs

Create new housingCreate new housing

End de facto segregationEnd de facto segregation

African-Americans achieved many African-Americans achieved many gains from the Civil Rights gains from the Civil Rights

movementmovementMore African-Americans finished high More African-Americans finished high school and went to collegeschool and went to college

African-Americans had more pride in their African-Americans had more pride in their racial identity racial identity

Many more African-Americans votedMany more African-Americans voted

Political gains for African-Political gains for African-AmericansAmericans

2/3 of all African-Americans eligible to vote 2/3 of all African-Americans eligible to vote actually did vote by 1970actually did vote by 1970

Significant African-American Significant African-American politicians:politicians:

Jesse Jackson (ran for President in 1984 and Jesse Jackson (ran for President in 1984 and 1988)1988)

Vernon Jordan (worked for President Clinton)Vernon Jordan (worked for President Clinton) Andrew Young (Atlanta mayor and US Andrew Young (Atlanta mayor and US

Ambassador to the UN)Ambassador to the UN) Shirley Chisholm (first African-American Shirley Chisholm (first African-American

woman in the House of Representatives)woman in the House of Representatives)

One controversial part of Civil One controversial part of Civil Rights reforms was Affirmative Rights reforms was Affirmative

ActionActionAffirmative Action: action programs that Affirmative Action: action programs that made special efforts to hire or enroll made special efforts to hire or enroll groups that have suffered discriminationgroups that have suffered discrimination

Was affirmative action “reverse Was affirmative action “reverse discrimination?”discrimination?”