Civil Rights 2.2 (Freedom Summer, Legislation, and Key Actors/Groups)

Freedom Summer

Freedom Summer was a voter registration campaign that started in Mississippi. It was organized by multiple civil rights groups in order to increase African AMerican voter registration and draw national attention to racial discrimination in Southern States.

Organization of Afro-American Unity

The Organization of Afro-American Unity was founded in 1964 by Malcolm X. It advocated for African American self-determination and wanted to unite Blacks globally. They rejected racial integration with white society.

"The Ballot or the Bullet" Speech

The Ballot or the Bullet Speech was a speech given by Malcolm X that advocated for African American voting rights and self-defense. It urged Blacks to try getting equality through voting or look at more radical options.

Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP)

The Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party was established to provide an alternative to the white Democratic Party in Mississippi. It challenged racial exclusion and looked to represent Black voters nationally.

Civil Rights Act (1964)

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a landmark act that prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or origin and ended segregation in public places and places of employment.

Lyndon B. Johnson

Lyndon B. Johnson became president of the US after John F. Kennedy's assassination. Though he had been in opposition in the past, he became more of a key player than Kennedy in passing major civil rights legislation like Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts.

24th Amendment

The 24th amendment was added to the constitution in 1964. The amendment was created to prohibit poll taxes in federal elections to stop the historical disenfranchisement of African Americans who were trying to vote.

Bloody Sunday

Bloody Sunday is the name given to the day when non violent civil rights marchers were attacked by state troopers on a bridge in Selma during a peaceful march for African American voting rights.

Voting Rights Act (1965)

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a law that prohibited racial discrimination in voting. It eliminated literacy tests and poll taxes and allowed for federal oversight of voter registration in areas where it had been a problem in the past.

Freedom Schools

Freedom schools were temporary, community-based schools that were created during the Freedom Summer in order to give African American students in the South an education on Black history, civil rights, and also help them become literate.

"Beloved Community"

Martin Luther King Jr. created the concept "beloved community," where he envisioned a society where justice, equal opportunity, and love for others were the main principles rather than discrimination, poverty, and violence.

Ku Klux Klan (KKK)

The Ku Klux Klan was a white supremacist group founded in the late 1860s. It was known for its violent opposition to civil rights and racial equality. People feared being lynched, bombed or receiving intimidating threats from them.

Fannie Lou Hamer

Fannie Lou Hamer was a civil rights activist in the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. She was known for her strong speeches that advocated for voting rights and racial justice, specifically for Black women.

John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy was one of the presidents of the US. He and his administration supported civil rights reforms, though he tried to steer clear from publicly endorsing movements and events in order not to drive away part of the voting population.