Civil Rights Flashcards
What was the contribution of Black Americans on the front line?
- War entrance in 1941, many black men enlisted in segregated units which formed Jim Crow Army
Combat and marines: Before 1944, not allowed in combat or marines, worked as labourers, cooks or transporting supplies
Navy : only accepted as mess men in canteens
Air Force: No black pilots until formation of African American 332nd fighter group (Tuskegee Airmen ) . By end of war there were 1,000 black pilots
By 1948 President Truman banned “separate but equal” in training, recruiting and service in the army, air force or navy because of their contribution and ended segregation in armed forces
His fair deal programme proposed anti lynching and elimination of poll tax
They gained status through being accepted by the British
Negative: frequent trouble between white and black servicemen
War department continued practise of segregated regiment
What was the contribution to the war effort on the Home Front?
In 1941 Roosevelt set up Fair Employment Practises Commitee in fear of race riots in factories used by government for production of war goods and banned discrimination against black workers -IMPORTANT VICTORY IN CAMPAIGN FOR EQUALITY
By 1944 nearly 2 million black people were working in war factories
Double V campaign -victory over fascism abroad and victory over discrimination at home
Membership of the NAACP rose from 50,000 to 450,000 by the end of the war
Some faced hostility e.g racial tensions saw rioting in Detroit in 1943 which led to 30 deaths
What was the impact of the war on the civil rights issue?
In 1946, as part of “Fair Deal Programme” Truman set up the civil rights commitee which proposed anti lynching bill and abolition to requirements of black people having to prove they had paid tax to vote. He was unable to implement because of opposition.
His support for civil rights encourages the NAACP to challenge segregation laws in courts in 1950s
When was the Brown v Topeka board of education case?
1954
Brown v Topeka Board of Education
1952, 20 US states had segregated public schools
Linda Brwon had to walk 20 blocks to schools in Topeka when there was white schools a few blocks from her home
With the help of the NAACP, her father Oliver took the BOE to court
Lost the case in state courts so took it to Supreme Court
In May 1954, Supreme Court ruled that segregation in public schools went against the US constitution
However, this court had no power to impose its decision and this ruling was ignored by many southern states
When did Little Rock Case happen?
1957
Little Rock Central High School, 1957
September 1957, 9 African American students were led into the white only central high school in Little Rock by Elizabeth Eckford
Governor of Arkansas, Orval Faubus, surrounded school with National Guardsmen to prevent them from entering
In response President Eisenhower sent 1,000 federal troops of the 101st Airborne Division to protect students for the rest of the year
At the end 8 of the 9 students graduated
What was the result of the Little Rock Event
Showed that president could enforce court orders with federal troops
Brought publicity to injustices of segregation
By 1964 less than 2 percent of African American students attended multi racial schools in the southern states
When was the James Meredith Case?
1962
James Meredith case
June 1962 , Supreme Court upheld a federal court decision to force Mississippi University to accept James Meredith
When he arrived to register for administration he was prevented by the Governor of Mississippi
Riots broke out and President Kennedy sent 2,000 troops to restore order
300 soldiers remained on campus to protect Meredith until he graduated 3 years later
When as the Montgomery Bus Boycott?
1955-56
What happened on the Montgomery Bus boycott?
Montgomery, Alabama and marks beginning of civil rights movement
African Americans had to sit at the back of the bus and give up spare seats for white peoples
On 1st December 1955, Rosa Parks a NAACP activist refused to give up her seat
She was arrested and convicted of breaking the bus laws
Local Civil Rights Activist, led the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA) led by MLK, a young baptist Minister
Organised a boycott: deliberately stopped using buses and organised private transport for people
Civil rights lawyers fought her case
In 1956 Supreme Court declared that Montgomery’s bus laws were illegal and the bus company gave in
Beginning on non visions mass protests by civil rights movement
Important because it showed the benefits of peaceful approach, economic power of black community, offered hope for civil rights and showed that togetherness could win
Freedom rides(1961)
Still segregation on interstate buses so in May 1961 the CORE began direct protests in southern states known as Freedom Rides
Deliberately rode on buses by companies ignoring segregation laws
In Jackson, Mississippi , 27 freedom riders jailed for 67 days for sitting in white’s only sections
Continued in summer despite violence
By September 70,000 students had taken part and 3,600 arrested
Attorney General Robert Kennedy was able to get Interstate Commerce Commitee to end segregation in all bus and rail stations and airports and general Robert Kennedy sent in 500 Marshall’s to protect the freedom riders
Made the interstate commerce commission end segregation in all buses and rail stations and airports
By 1963 this had extended to most other public facilities
Role and Significance of Martin Luther King
Methods —> non violent civil disobedience, against violence and preferred sit-ins, boycotts, freedom rides and marches
-Leader of the MIA of Bus Boycott in 1955
Formed SCLC as he was a good public speaker and became leading figure in the civil rights movement
Birmingham March 1963 : SCLC challenged Birmingham’s decision to close public recreation services to avoid desegregations , marches and sit ins, water cannons dogs, King went to jail and President Kennedy sent in troops
March of Washington,1963: “I have a dream speech” in front of Lincoln Memorial in front of 250,000 and put pressure on Kennedy to draft legislation, Civil Rights Act in 1964
Selma to Birmingham marches: protest marches demanding voting rights meant marchers attacked by police and troopers and he was sent to jail. Led to the passing of the Voting Rights aCT IN 1965
Assassinated in 1968 James, Earl Ray
Role and Significance of Malcolm X
Malcolm Little son of African American Baptist preacher who was murdered by a whites supremacist
I952 joined Nation of Islam and changed surname to X
Rejected King’s peaceful methods and believed violence was justifiable to secure separate black nation
Good public speaker and received support from young black Americans
Left NOI in 1964 and formed Muslim Mosque Inc and black nationalist Organisation of Afro American Unity
Encouraged self esteem of black Americans and his views became foundation for radical movement like Black Panthers
Shot dead by 3 members of Nation of Islam in 1965
