Early Stages Plessy v. Ferguson – “separate-but-equal” NAACP – 1935-Norris v. Alabama (juries) – 1946-Morgan v. Virginia (segregated buses) – 1950-Sweat v. Painter (admit qualified African-American students) 1954-Brown v. Board of Education – Thurgood Marshall “… Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal” -Chief Justice Earl Warren 1955-Rosa Parks
Movement Begins Increased Political Power – Supported the Democratic Party Push for Desegregation – Congress of Racial Equality – Sit-ins Southern Manifesto – Ruling threatened entire system of segregation – “massive resistance” – Assignment laws – Senators “a clear abuse of judicial power” Montgomery Bus Boycott – Formed the Montgomery Improvement Association
Martin Luther King Pastor PhD. In theology from Boston University Non-violent passive resistance Disobey unjust laws Refused to be intimidated Alabama’s law was changed &feature=related &feature=related Inspired by Gandhi's ideas
Spreading Ideas Churches – Forums – Meetings – Mobilized volunteers Southern Christian Leadership Council – Eliminate segregation – Vote
Eisenhower & Civil Rights Sympathized Felt that segregation had to end as values changed Publically refused to endorse Brown v. Board of Education “I don’t believe you can change the hearts of men with laws or decisions.” Send troops to the South
Little Rock Nine 1957 Governor Orval Faubus Armed forces of a state opposed the authority of the federal government – First time since Civil War President ordered the removal 1,000 of the elite 101 st Airborne Division arrived Civil Rights Act of 1957 passed Protect the voting rights of African-Americans Created a civil rights division Court injunctions to anyone interfering with the right to vote