Civil Rights Movement

Civil Rights

Starting with Brown vs B of E, a string of events occurred that raised awareness for the movement

It was not easy and often ended up in violence

African Americans fought hard for their rights and would eventually get it

Montgomery Bus Boycott Rosa Parks refused to give up her

seat and was arrested Outraged by this the Women’s

Political Council called for a boycott of the Montgomery Bus System in 1955

Martin Luther King led the protest Protest had to be peaceful

Boycott lasted a year Bus system was finally integrated

Eisenhower Did not agree with segregation

Followed Truman and integrated many parts of the military

Did not think the government should force segregation on everyone Let times change on its own

Did not endorse Brown vs. Board of Education Despite this it was the law and he had to

protect it

Little Rock Nine

Nine African Americans were sent to attend Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas (1957) Governor ordered Arkansas National Guard

to prevent the students from attending Challenged the constitution

Eisenhower had to get involved Sent 101st Airborne to protect the students

Stayed for the rest of the year

Sit-In Movement

Students wanted to get involved Started using sit-ins to integrate local

restaurants Had to remain non violent Very successful

SNCC was created Student Nonviolent Coordinating

Committee Played a key role in civil rights movement

Freedom Riders Despite Montgomery Bus Boycott, many

busses in South were still segregated Many African Americans and whites

traveled in the South to bring attention to the issue Met violence in many of the stops Birmingham

No police to stop KKK from beating the riders

Brought national attention to civil rights movement

Kennedy JFK saw the violence and knew he had to

do something Worried that Congress would not pass the laws

Used the Justice Department to fight for him Ran by his brother Robert

Urged Interstate Commerce Committee to end segregation Busses were finally integrated (1962)

Assignment

In a group of 3-4 people, create a skit about one of the Civil Rights events

Your skit must be written as if you were a part of it

It must include 5 facts about the event

Perform the skit in front of the class