Civil Rights Movement US History Unit 11

How did television impact the Civil Rights Movement? Civil Rights activists used the media to bring their issues to mainstream America. Americans were upset by the brutality they saw towards the peaceful protesters in places like Birmingham and Selma. Civil Rights activists used the media to bring their issues to mainstream America. Americans were upset by the brutality they saw towards the peaceful protesters in places like Birmingham and Selma.

Truman and Integration He issued an executive order in 1948 to integrate the armed forces and end discrimination in the hiring of government employees. He issued an executive order in 1948 to integrate the armed forces and end discrimination in the hiring of government employees.

Why was this decision important? These actions represented the beginnings of a federal commitment to dealing with racial issues. These actions represented the beginnings of a federal commitment to dealing with racial issues.

Jackie Robinson In 1947, Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers, creating an integrated team. He received insults and anger from some fans, but many people came to love and respect him. He was the first African Americans inducted in to the Baseball Hall of Fame. In 1947, Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers, creating an integrated team. He received insults and anger from some fans, but many people came to love and respect him. He was the first African Americans inducted in to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court struck down segregation in school as unconstitutional (said separate but equal had no place in public education) Supreme Court struck down segregation in school as unconstitutional (said separate but equal had no place in public education)

How did African Americans feel about Brown v. Board? Most African Americans were initially optimistic and excited about Brown v. Board ruling. However, it became obvious that many states would not enforce the ruling. Lack of enforcement encourages many civil rights activists to become more vocal and active in pushing for equal treatment. Most African Americans were initially optimistic and excited about Brown v. Board ruling. However, it became obvious that many states would not enforce the ruling. Lack of enforcement encourages many civil rights activists to become more vocal and active in pushing for equal treatment.

Martin Luther King, Jr. His tactics encouraged non-violence with perseverance and he provided the movement with an eloquent and charismatic leader that people could get behind. He served as President of the SCLC and lead demonstrations in Birmingham, Selma, and other places. His tactics encouraged non-violence with perseverance and he provided the movement with an eloquent and charismatic leader that people could get behind. He served as President of the SCLC and lead demonstrations in Birmingham, Selma, and other places.

Letter from a Birmingham Jail King writes a response to those who criticize the activists and explains why they must fight segregation in Birmingham and across America. King writes a response to those who criticize the activists and explains why they must fight segregation in Birmingham and across America. “I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”

I Have a Dream Speech makes speech in front of 250,000 people at the March on Washington in 1963 makes speech in front of 250,000 people at the March on Washington in 1963

SCLC Tactics Tactics Non-violent marches and protests Non-violent marches and protests “Civil disobedience” “Civil disobedience”

SCLC Purpose Purpose Non-violent crusade against segregation and discrimination Non-violent crusade against segregation and discrimination

SCLC Southern Christian Leadership Conference Composition (who is in the group?) Composition (who is in the group?) Ministers and civil rights leaders (Like MLK, Jr.) Ministers and civil rights leaders (Like MLK, Jr.)

SNCC Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee Tactics Tactics Sit-ins, marches, protests, Freedom Rides, and as time goes on they become more confrontational Sit-ins, marches, protests, Freedom Rides, and as time goes on they become more confrontational

SNCC Purpose Purpose Reshape the civil rights movement, build on student protests Reshape the civil rights movement, build on student protests

SNCC Composition Composition Students; overtime they become influenced by people like Malcolm X and the Black Panthers and become more violent Students; overtime they become influenced by people like Malcolm X and the Black Panthers and become more violent

Sit-ins: protestors would sit at segregated lunch counters to protest unfair treatment; sometimes they were attacked and arrested Sit-ins: protestors would sit at segregated lunch counters to protest unfair treatment; sometimes they were attacked and arrested Freedom Rides: students would ride segregated buses across the South; they were often brutally attacked Freedom Rides: students would ride segregated buses across the South; they were often brutally attacked Freedom Summer: students came to the South to try to register African-Americans to vote Freedom Summer: students came to the South to try to register African-Americans to vote

Civil Rights Act 1964 Causes Causes 1. The work of Civil Rights activists in Birmingham and other places 1. The work of Civil Rights activists in Birmingham and other places 2. violence against peaceful protests made many Americans side with civil rights leaders 2. violence against peaceful protests made many Americans side with civil rights leaders 3. after Kennedy’s assassination, LBJ pledged to carry on Kennedy’s work. 3. after Kennedy’s assassination, LBJ pledged to carry on Kennedy’s work.

Civil Rights Act 1964 Effects Effects Gave all citizens the right to enter libraries, parks, washrooms, restaurants, theaters, and other public accommodations Gave all citizens the right to enter libraries, parks, washrooms, restaurants, theaters, and other public accommodations

Voting Rights Act 1965 Causes Causes 1. Freedom Summer – SNCC and others sent people into the South to register blacks to vote and oftentimes met with violence. 1. Freedom Summer – SNCC and others sent people into the South to register blacks to vote and oftentimes met with violence. 2. Selma Campaign: Activists were attacked registering voters and during a march called by MLK 2. Selma Campaign: Activists were attacked registering voters and during a march called by MLK 3. LBJ presented Congress with a Voting Rights Bill and asked that it be swiftly passed 3. LBJ presented Congress with a Voting Rights Bill and asked that it be swiftly passed

Voting Rights Act 1965 Effects Effects It eliminated literacy tests, poll taxes, and grandfather clauses. It eliminated literacy tests, poll taxes, and grandfather clauses. The number of registered African-American voters in the South tripled The number of registered African-American voters in the South tripled

What kind of impact did Kennedy’s assassination have on civil rights legislation? Kennedy wanted Civil Rights legislation, especially after the events in Birmingham shocked the nation. After his assassination, LBJ promised to continue his work in civil rights. Kennedy wanted Civil Rights legislation, especially after the events in Birmingham shocked the nation. After his assassination, LBJ promised to continue his work in civil rights.

Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society Great Society: A legislative program to end poverty and racial injustice Great Society: A legislative program to end poverty and racial injustice He changed Social Security to include Medicare and Medicaid, to provide healthcare to Americans 65 and older and those on welfare He changed Social Security to include Medicare and Medicaid, to provide healthcare to Americans 65 and older and those on welfare

Warren Court (Supreme Court under Chief Justice Earl Warren) took an activist stance on many of the important issues of the time period took an activist stance on many of the important issues of the time period 1. ruled ‘separate but equal’ unconstitutional 2. supported freedom of speech 3. expanded the rights of people accused of crimes - for example, the Miranda Decision said that all suspects must be read their rights before questioning.

Turmoil of was a tumultuous year. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy were assassinated. The deaths of both men shocked and saddened the country. King’s death lead to violence and race riots in cities across America because people were so enraged was a tumultuous year. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy were assassinated. The deaths of both men shocked and saddened the country. King’s death lead to violence and race riots in cities across America because people were so enraged.

Assassinations MLK, Jr. – Shot in Memphis (led to race riots) MLK, Jr. – Shot in Memphis (led to race riots) Robert F. Kennedy – Shot in L.A. led to chaos in Democratic Party Robert F. Kennedy – Shot in L.A. led to chaos in Democratic Party

Turmoil of 1968 In 1968 both Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy (JFK’s brother) were assassinated. These deaths led to violence and race-riots in cities across America Democratic Convention of 1968 Protesters and police violently clashed in Chicago Democrats were divided by the War in Vietnam Republicans took advantage of this and Richard Nixon won the election.