Civil Rights Flashcards
(18 cards)
Why was there limited criticism of the U.S. in the 1950s?
Fear of being labelled a communist during the Cold War and rising affluence led to a national consensus where most avoided political criticism.
What characterised U.S. economic life between 1946-1960?
Major economic expansion; GNP and standard of living doubled. 60% of Americans reached middle-class status by 1960.
How did suburbanisation shape the 1950s?
Suburbs grew rapidly, (E.g., Levittown where 10,000 homes were built - home for 40,000 people) - boosted job availability . Car ownership rose (80% owned 1 car at least)
What was the ‘consensus’ in the 1950s America?
Broad agreement on values like individualism, private property, and equal opportunity - though these didn’t apply equally to African Americans.
How were African Americans excluded from 1950s prosperity?
Segregation in housing, schools, and jobs. New suburbs were nearly all-white. 50% of Black families lived in poverty.
What was the Double V Campaign?
A WWII era campaign for victory against fascism abroad and racism at home - early roots of the Civil Rights Movement.
What impact did the Brown v. Board of Education (1954) have?
Declared school segregation unconstitutional. Justice Warren said it harmed Black children’s psychology - Sparked the massive resistance in the south.
What was the massive resistance?
Southern backlash to school desegregation after the Brown v. Board - Some schools shut down rather than to integrate.
What happened on December 1st, 1955?
Rosa parks refused to give up her seat in Montgomery - sparking a 381 day boycott.
Was Rosa Parks just a random tired citizen?
No. She was a lifelong activist - NAACP secretary, Scottsboro Boy protester and a political organiser since the 1930s.
What role did MLK jr. play in the Montgomery Bus Boycott?
He helped organise it through his Baptist church and later founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
How did the Black churches support the movement?
Provided leadership, community support, and meeting spaces - central to organising efforts like the Montgomery Bus Boycott
Who was the governor of Arkansas during the Little Rock 9 incident?
Faubus. Orval Faubus.
How did the Governor (Must name him in answer) respond to the attempt to integrate Little Rock Central High School in 1957
He ordered the Arkansas National Guard to block the nine Black students from entering, directly defying federal desegregation orders.
Why did the governor order the guards to intercept the students?
Governor Faubus was running for re - election and needed to count on the white southern voters who were against integration.
What was the significance of Little Rock 9?
Showed that the federal government, (though under pressure) would enforce constitutional rights, despite state resistance.
How integrated were Southern schools in the 1950s?
Fewer than 2% of Black students in the South attended integrated schools despite Brown v. Board.
Who was Septima Clark and what was her impact?
A South Carolina educator who ran Citizenship Schools teaching literacy and civics to help Black adults to vote - Called the ‘Mother of the Movement’ by MLK Jr.!
