3 - The impacts of civil rights protests 1960 - 74 Flashcards
What were the significance of sit ins in the civil rights?
The first major civil rights in the 1960 were organised by the NAACP.
On 1st February 1960 4 AA students from North Carolina Agriculture and technology college sat at a whites only counter in Woolworth department store in Greensboro and waited to be served. They were asked to leave. Instead they remained until the shop closed. day same four students returned to Woolworth and sat at the same lunch counter joined by 25 student. On 3 Feb 80 more students joined them. 4 Feb there was over 300 students.
More students began sit-ins tried to desegregate lunch counter across Greensboro. Spread over North Carolina and finally all of the south. Over 70,000 people took part in sit ns.
What were the responses to sit ins?
Those who took part received much abuse from white segregationists. Insulted spat at regularly had food and drinks thrown at them were physically attacked. They did not respond thousands arrested led to jail not bail tactic jails became overcrowded. Tactics attracted media attention help sit ins to spread more people inspired.
What role did Civil rights groups have in the sit ins?
Sits ins eager to be supported by the civil rights groups when they saw the impact. NAACP, CORE and SCLC organised a boycott of shops with seg lunch counters. CORE AND SCLC helped to train students so they could be more effective protestors. Helped to ensure they would not respond to violence.
MLK visited Greensboro and spoke to protestors to maintain confidence.
What were the significance of the Sit ins?
Sit ins very successful buisness affected as they sold fewer lunches as there were fewer seats available for white customers. Sold fewer goods in stores because of boycott. Many desegregated their eating facilities after sit ins over 120 towns and cities in south had desegregated lunch counters.
Sit ins were very visible everything seen by public and media. They generate huge publicity sight of young AA being attacked attracted sympathy for cause. Eisenhower showed his concern he was sympathetic he wanted equality.
First true mass protest as huge number people took part. They were first protest that saw sig number of white people and AA protesting together. Most protestors were students. Indicated a slight change in tactics for protestors.
What were the freedom rides?
In Dec 1960 4 years after its decision to desegregate transport supreme court ruled transport should be desegregated. In 1961 Core activist planned freedom rides to show the rules were not being followed.
What were the Anniston Fire bombings?
On 14 May first bus arrived station in Anniston but it was closed. Freedom riders met by angry crowd led by local KKK leader William Chappell crowd attacked the bus windows and sides smashed tires damaged. Police escorted te bus to outskirts of city and then left the bus has to pull over.
Mob tried to enter the bus someone through a firebomb in one of the windows other held doors shit bus filled with smoke and fire. They left fearing a fire. Passengers escaped some were attack. Second bus also attacked when entered Anniston. Passengers beaten up police Bull Connor ordered them to o nothings
How did freedom rides continue?
CORE arranged more FR and SNCC became involved continuous attacks from clan members developed into attacks on black community.
Violence and arrests continued. By end of summer 1962 60 freedom rides 300 sent to jail.
Attracted huge media attention Fed Gov was embarrassed by what world saw threatened to send US marshals to desegregate bus.
What was the Meredith case?
When AA James Meredith applied for place to Mississippi University in May 1961 he was rejected went to NAACP helped him take case to court. In June 1962 Supreme court ordered Uni to admit him they refused. The Governor did not want integration. Mississippi passed legislation denying admission to anyone convicted of felony Meredith had.
President K intervened, ordering those obstructing the law to desist. Riots on Uni campus as those opposing Meredith joining Uni protested. Kennedy send hundreds of Federal officals to escort Meredith to resistor. Riots followed. 2 people died 300 injured. Federal troops sent to stop rioting.
What were impacts of Meredith case?
On Monday 1st October Meredith successful registered with Mississippi uni. Guarded by 300 state troops for next year until graduation.
Forced President to act showed president take direct act for force supreme court rulings. AA not prevented from joining integrated uni
What were Methods of MLK?
MLK heavily influenced by Ghandi’s non violent protests believed in direct action boycotts and marches often confrontational publicity was essential in change he wanted violent responses by segregationists.
Many speeches to win support of whites like politicians and many AA to join protests.
What was Birmingham peace marches?
In Birmingham, Alabama, Project C campaign lead by SNCC and SCLC aimed to end rigid system of segregation by sit ins, boycotts and marches.
Birmingham had no desegregated facilities influential civil rights groups. 45% of cities 500,000 were AA so potential for successful protests. Birmingham could bring publicity by the KKK. AA often attacked by them. Bull Connor also lived their.
Thousand took part in Project C. March on 3 April 1963. Police started arresting protestors. After a few weeks most people took part in Marches in Jail including MLK . SNCC began train young people in non violent protests. 2 May first children’s protests. Became shocked at how treated 1,000 children arrested. On 3 May more protests tactics changed for Bull Connor use hoses on them and dogs. Large amount of publicity shown through the world.
What was the impact of Birmingham?
President K sent a negotiator to Birmingham to help work agreement mayor protestors began talks. State troops sent by Gov of Alabama to disrupt talks. Stirred violence more AA homes bombed and buisness. Serious black riots on 11 and 12 May President K called Federal troops to restore calm.
Most white buisness took concession rather than lose money through lost trade mayor agreed to desegregation. Many shops desegregated AA allowed to apply for jobs they had been denied for. Violence continued against AA. More protests across US lead to desegregate facilities.
What was the march on Washington?
As US capital city Washington place of federal Government and President was based. Protestors wanted to show their support for new bill. Hope that if large numbers marched in support of bill it was force President and congress to pass bill.
Washington authorities worried about Violence and rioting President K tried to stop them they refused. 1,000 extra police brought in and 2,000 members of national guard. On 28 August 100 years after slavery ended, 250,000 AA and white took part in march for jobs and freedom. Marching peacefully through city to Lincoln memorial national anthem sung and prayers. MLK final speaker used great skill to deliver referenced US constitution declaration of independence Abraham Lincoln. Idea of ‘American Dream’ MLK leader of civil rights movement.
What was the importance of the march on Washington?
Huge number of people who took part showed that civil rights was supported by many people AA and white many observers impressed by organisations it was peaceful.
Event brought huge publicity to the cause due to size of protest presence of many celebrities like Bob Dylan
Put huge pressure on politicians as it took place during periods when civil rights bill was being debated in Congress.
Fixed MLK as leader of CR movement.
Kennedy assassinated before he could ass the bill.
What was Freedom Summer?
Civil rights group campaigned to improve Number of AA who were registered to vote through south. Supported by Bob Kenned. NAACP Core and SNCC stepped up campaign with ‘Freedom summer’ Focused on Mississippi had lowest % of AA registered to vote in US at 7%. AA had to pass extreme literacy test few who passed beaten to prevent them.
Campaign involved setting up new political party. Mississippi freedom Democratic party. 80,000 members 68 elected to join democratic convention challenge to Mississippi all white dem party. Ran classes to help AA pass voter registration. 30 freedom schools. SNCC recruited 1,000 volunteers to travel to Mississippi and help with the project Most young white.
What was the 1964 Civil rights act?
Lyndon Johnson used shock and horror of Kennedy’s death along with other methods to persuade and bully members of congress to support the bill without amendments. Dixiecrat 54 filibuster attempt was close but Johnson had enough support from Democrat and republics.
Huge achievement ended discrimination difficult to enforce laws many segregations angry at how far it went many AA felt it did not go far enough
What was the Voting rights act 1965?
Original CR bill contained more to try and increase Number of AA voters Johnson removed it fearing bill not be passed. Freedom summer and Selma highlighted many issues that prevented AA from voting need to improve this. Johnson began trying to persuade members of congress support voting rights bill managed to get it through in record time August 1965.
