CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN AMERICA. Flashcards
(10 cards)
Who was Emmett Till, why and how did he die?
Emmett Till was 14-year-old African American boy murdered in Mississippi in 1955; his death became a catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement.
he had went to a small grocery store owned by a white couple, Roy and Carolyn Bryant.
Inside the store, Emmett spoke to or whistled at Carolyn Bryant. Some people said he also flirted or joked with her. In the segregated South, where racism was very strong,
a Black boy talking to a white woman like that was seen as a serious offense.
A few days later, Carolyn’s husband and his half-brother used this incident as an excuse to kidnap and murder Emmett.
Many years later, Carolyn Bryant admitted that she had lied about parts of the story. Carolyn’s husband and half brother beat Emmett Till up and threw him into a river.
Catalyst meaning
-His death triggered or sparked important actions or changes.
-It inspired people to take action and fight for civil rights.
-Even though he was no longer there, his death motivated a powerful movement.
-His death sped up the push for justice and equality.
Emmett Till’s murder highlighted racial violence and injustice in America.
What action did Rosa Parks take that sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott?
On December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama,
Rosa Parks, a Black woman, refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white person. At that time, Black people had to sit in the back and give their seats to white people if needed.
Because she said no, Rosa was arrested. This made many Black people angry, and they started the Montgomery Bus Boycott and they stopped riding the buses to protest unfair rules. This led to the bus facing financial crises which forced the city to change the law and make bus segregation illegal.
Rosa Parks’ brave choice was a key moment that helped the Civil Rights Movement grow and succeed.
What was the Montgomery Bus Boycott?
A 1955-56 protest against segregated buses that helped launch Martin Luther King Jr.’s leadership. The Montgomery Bus Boycott was a protest where Black people in Montgomery, Alabama, stopped riding the buses for over a year to fight against unfair bus segregation.
It began after Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat. The boycott caused the bus company to lose money and ended when the Supreme Court ruled segregation on buses illegal.
It was an important victory in the Civil Rights Movement. During the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Martin Luther King Jr. was chosen to lead the protest group because of his strong voice and belief in nonviolence. His leadership helped unite the community, and the boycott’s success made him a national leader in the Civil Rights Movement.
The boycott lasted for over a year, significantly impacting the bus company’s finances.
What were Sit-ins?
Non-violent protests at segregated lunch counters, led by Black students to demand equal rights.
These students were not served as they sat at the “whites only” lunch counter.
These students inspired many others across the world and soon enough the restaurant was full of black people, the restaurant was then desegregated under pressure.
Sit-ins were a key strategy in the Civil Rights Movement, promoting peaceful resistance.
What were Freedom Rides?
The Freedom Rides were organized interracial bus trips in 1961 where Black and white activists rode together through Southern states to challenge segregation in transport.
Despite facing violence and arrests, they continued their protest. Their courage gained national attention, leading the government to enforce laws ending segregation on interstate travel.
Freedom Rides were met with violence but played a crucial role in raising awareness about segregation.
What was the Children’s March?
In May 1963 in Birmingham, Alabama, young people peacefully protested against segregation.
Police used fire hoses and dogs to stop them, which was shown on TV and shocked the nation.
This helped gain support for the civil rights movement and pushed Birmingham to begin ending segregation.
This event showcased the bravery of children and the brutality of segregationist policies.
What happened during the March on Washington in 1963?
In August 1963, more than 250,000 people of different races gathered peacefully in Washington, D.C., to demand an end to racial discrimination and equal rights for all.
CRLS, including Martin Luther King Jr., organized the event.
MLK gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, calling for a future where people would be judged by their character, not skin color. The march helped raise awareness and pressure the government to pass important civil rights laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The march drew over 250,000 participants and was a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement.
What were the Selma to Montgomery Marches?
In 1965, civil rights activists organized marches from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, to protest the barriers that prevented Black people from voting.
The first march, on March 7, became known as “Bloody Sunday” after peaceful protesters were violently attacked by police on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. The shocking images were shown on national TV and gained widespread support.
A second march took place on March 9 but was turned back for safety.
The third march, from March 21–25, was successful. Protected by federal troops, thousands of people marched the full 54 miles to the state capital.
These marches led directly to the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a major law that banned racial discrimination in voting.
These marches highlighted the struggle for voting rights and were met with violent opposition.
What is the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a law that stopped segregation in public places like schools, restaurants, and buses. It also made it illegal to treat people unfairly because of their race, skin color, religion, gender, or where they’re from. This law helped make the U.S. more fair and equal for everyone.
This act was a landmark piece of legislation in the Civil Rights Movement.
What is the Voting Rights Act of 1965?
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a law that helped protect the right to vote, especially for Black Americans.
It banned unfair rules like literacy tests and allowed the government to watch over elections in places with a history of racism.
It was a big step toward equal voting rights for everyone.
This act aimed to eliminate racial discrimination in voting.
