1. The Civil Rights Movement

2. Aims: Examine the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement in the USA.

3. The Second World War ‘Free At Last’ comes from an old Negro slave song – for slaves real freedom only came when they died and were free from slavery. Although slavery had ended, segregation and the Jim Crow Laws meant that Blacks were far from free. During World War Two many Black Americans fought in the US army. Many questioned why they were fighting for freedom abroad but still faced discrimination and prejudice at home.

4. The Civil Rights Movement By the 1950s there was a growing determination among Black Americans that the situation had to change. The Civil Rights Movement took off in the South as people campaigned for the end of segregations. Black Americans just wanted the same civil rights as other Americans – this would help them to have a fair chance of achieving the American Dream.

5. The Civil Rights Movement There were two branches of the Civil Rights Movement. In the 1950s Martin Luther King emerged as the leader of the Civil Rights Movement. He believed the only way to achieve equality was through peaceful protest.

6. The Civil Rights Movement By the 1960s protests became more violent. Leaders like Malcolm X and Stokely Carmichael emerged. The believed in ‘Black Power’. Black Americans had to take matters into their hands and use violence to achieve true equality.

7. Tasks: Read page 61 and complete Activities 1-4. Read page 62 and complete Activities 1-6 on page 63.