Postwar Prosperity and Civil Rights Unit 9 Gateway to US History Chapter 14 Postwar Prosperity and Civil Rights Part 4

The Struggle for Voting Rights African Americans in the South had been stripped of the vote by poll taxes, literacy tests, and violence. The Civil Rights Act of 1957 & 1960 tried to end voting discrimination, but proved ineffective. The 24th Amendment, ratified in 1964, prohibited poll taxes.

1964 – various civil rights organizations planned “Freedom Summer,” a campaign to register black voters in Mississippi. The Volunteers were often attacked and three were killed by the KKK. Extreme violence against a peaceful march from Selma to Montgomery led President Johnson to introduce the Voting Rights Act of 1965. “Federal examiners” were sent to register black voters.

VIII. The Black Power Movement A series of events in the late 60s splintered the Civil Rights Movements. Riots like Watts Riot in L.A. broke out in the summers of 1965 and 1967.

1968 – Dr. King was assassinated, causing more riots.

A commission was appointed by Pres A commission was appointed by Pres. Johnson to study the problem of unrest. determined that the unrest had been caused by urban poverty and by job and housing discrimination. The Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act) prohibited discrimination in housing.

Many African American, especially youth in Northern cities, thought the Civil Rights Movement was too slow and limited despite its earlier successes. They disagreed with its program of non-violence and interracial cooperation. These activists began a more militant Black Power Movement.

The Black Power Movement began with a group of leaders who wanted African Americans … to take control of their own communities fight racism directly avoid contact with whites many inspired by independence movements of African nations

Malcolm X joined the Nation of Islam while in jail, believing that African Americans should form a separate state because interracial cooperation was impossible.

wanted blacks to fight violence with violence advocated “black nationalism,” or black self-government He was eventually assassinated by members of the Nation of Islam when he renounced their ideas.

Stokely Carmichael was a Howard student who became the leader of SNCC. made the organization more militant introduced the term “Black Power” favored black separatism and the use of violence to fight racism

The Black Panther Party was formed by Bobby Seale and Huey Newton to protect black neighborhoods in Oakland, California. They called for the arming of African Americans but also implemented social programs. Their 10-Point Program made radical demands on whites.

Other African-American militants included H. Rap Brown and Robert F Other African-American militants included H. Rap Brown and Robert F. Williams. “Black Power” meant more than violence. It called for greater pride in the African American identity. It led to the creation of new fashions, the “Afro” hairstyle and black studies courses in universities.