43.2 Segregation in American Life

Flashcards covering key concepts and vocabulary related to segregation in American life.

Living Behind the Veil

A term coined by W. E. B. Du Bois to describe the behavior of blacks who acted differently in private compared to in the presence of whites.

Separate but Equal

Judicial doctrine established by Plessy v. Ferguson that permitted racial segregation as long as facilities were supposedly equal.

Jim Crow Laws

State and local laws that enforced racial segregation in the Southern United States.

De Facto Segregation

Segregation that occurs through social practice and custom, rather than through laws.

De Jure Segregation

Segregation enforced by law, particularly in the Southern states.

Restrictive Covenant

An agreement among neighbors not to sell or rent property to certain racial groups, often used to maintain segregated neighborhoods.

Miscegenation

Interracial marriage; often prohibited by laws in many Southern states.

Disenfranchise

To deny someone the right to vote.

Poll Tax

A fee required to vote, used to restrict voting rights of African Americans in the South.

Literacy Tests

Examinations that individuals had to pass to be eligible to vote, often used to disenfranchise blacks.

White Primary

A primary election in which only white voters may participate, further disenfranchising African Americans.

Gerrymandering

The practice of manipulating the boundaries of electoral districts to favor one party over another.

Substandard Schools

Schools that lack adequate resources and facilities, often a result of unequal funding.

Employment Segregation

The separation of jobs and employment opportunities based on race.

Racial Zoning

Local laws that segregated living areas by race, often supported by the federal government.

Inferior Facilities

Facilities provided to African Americans that were of lower quality than those provided to whites.

Segregation in Public Accommodations

Separation of facilities such as restaurants and theaters based on race, particularly in the Southern states.

Economic Disparities

The differences in income and job opportunities that result from racial discrimination.

Political Representation

The inclusion and representation of diverse racial groups in political processes and governance.

Civil Rights

The rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality.

Social Custom

A practice or behavior that is widely accepted within a community, often influencing segregation.