U.S. History Keyterms 26

Brown vs Board of Education

This landmark Supreme Court case decided in 1954 that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, overturning the "separate but equal" doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson.

Thurgood Marshall

The first African American Supreme Court Justice who played a key role in the Brown vs. Board of Education case as the lead attorney for the plaintiffs.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

A protest against racial segregation on public buses in Montgomery, Alabama, initiated by Rosa Parks' arrest in 1955 and led by Martin Luther King Jr., resulting in a Supreme Court ruling that segregation was unconstitutional.

Rosa Parks

An African American civil rights activist known for her pivotal role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott by refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in 1955, sparking a nationwide movement against racial segregation.

Freedom Riders

Civil rights activists who rode interstate buses into the segregated Southern United States in 1961 to challenge the non-enforcement of Supreme Court decisions that ruled segregated public buses unconstitutional.

March on Washington

A historic civil rights rally held in Washington, D.C. in 1963, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, advocating for jobs and freedom.

Martin Luther King Jr.

A prominent leader in the American civil rights movement, known for his nonviolent approach and his role in advancing civil rights through speeches and protests during the 1950s and 1960s.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Landmark legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in employment and public accommodations.

Nation of Islam

A religious and cultural organization that advocates for the spiritual, political, and economic self-sufficiency of African Americans, founded in the early 20th century. It gained prominence in the civil rights movement, particularly through figures like Malcolm X.

Malcom X

A prominent African American civil rights activist and minister who advocated for black empowerment and was a key figure in the Nation of Islam before later adopting a more inclusive approach.

Black Panther Party

A revolutionary socialist organization founded in 1966 to protect African American communities and address systemic injustices through militant self-defense and community programs.

Black Nationalism

A social and political movement that seeks to promote and advocate for the interests and cultural identity of Black people, often emphasizing self-determination and autonomy.

Dolores Huerta

A labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers. She played a crucial role in advocating for the rights of farm-workers and improving their labor conditions.

Cesar Chavez

A prominent labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers alongside Dolores Huerta. He was known for his efforts in organizing labor strikes and advocating for better working conditions for farm-workers.

La Raza Unida

A political movement and party aimed at addressing the needs of Mexican Americans and promoting their rights and interests in the United States.