HST 312 Final Exam

Virginia Christian Case (1912)

In 1912, Virginia Christian became the first black woman executed in the electric chair after being convicted of killing her employer, highlighting systemic racial injustices in capital punishment.

National Association of Colored Women (NACW)

Founded in 1896, the NACW aimed to address issues affecting African American women, with the motto 'lifting as we climb', focusing on advocacy for civil rights, education, and social reform.

Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks, born in 1913, was a prominent civil rights activist celebrated for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger on December 1, 1955, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Women’s Political Council

Founded in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1946, this group of working and middle-class women organized the Montgomery Bus Boycott in response to racial segregation on public buses.

The Bronx Slave Market (1935)

This informal system emerged during the Great Depression, representing low-paying domestic work that predominantly affected Black women, underscoring economic exploitation.

The Detroit Housewives League

Established in the 1930s, this organization aimed to support Black women and families through economic empowerment and advocacy for fair wages and better working conditions.

Georgia Gilmore

An activist and cook, Georgia Gilmore organized fundraising efforts through food sales for the civil rights movement, notably supporting the Montgomery Bus Boycott in the 1950s.

New Deal: Social Security Act (1935)

Legislation enacted in 1935 that established a welfare state, providing pensions for the elderly and unemployed but excluding many domestic and agricultural workers.

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 8802 (June 1941)

Issued in June 1941, this order prohibited employment discrimination in defense industries and created the Fair Employment Practices Committee to enforce equitable hiring practices.

Origins of the Civil Rights Movement

Emerging in the 1950s, this movement was driven by advocacy for racial equality and social justice, with roots in earlier struggles for civil rights.

Prince Edward County School Closings (1959-1964)

In response to the Brown v. Board of Education ruling, Prince Edward County closed public schools from 1959 to 1964 to resist desegregation, impacting local students and families.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

This landmark Supreme Court case ruled in May 1954 that separate educational facilities for racial minorities are inherently unequal, effectively overturning Plessy v. Ferguson.

Black Nationalist Women: Louise Little

Mother of Malcolm X, Louise Little was an influential Black Nationalist activist in the early 20th century, advocating for racial pride and empowerment.

Morgan v. Virginia (1946)

In 1946, the Supreme Court ruled that segregation on interstate buses was unconstitutional, setting a significant precedent for civil rights activism.

Anti-Lynching Crusader: Ida B. Wells

Ida B. Wells was a journalist and activist in the 1890s known for her powerful anti-lynching campaigns, which revealed the brutal reality of violence against African Americans.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Enacted in August 1965, this legislation aimed to eliminate barriers that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote, marking a significant victory in the Civil Rights Movement.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

This comprehensive legislation, passed in July 1964, prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, serving as a cornerstone of civil rights protection.

Southern Response to Brown v. Board of Education

Following the 1954 ruling, Southern states enacted the Southern Manifesto and formed White Citizens Councils to resist school desegregation efforts.

Afro-American classes of workers

During the 19th and 20th centuries, day and night maids and laundresses faced significant challenges and exploitation in the realm of household labor.

Great Depression

Beginning with the stock market crash in 1929, this historical economic period led to significant social and economic changes, especially affecting African Americans.

Black Female Labor

This refers to the specific roles of Black women in domestic work, highlighting the systemic barriers and challenges they faced in the labor force.

New Deal Programs

Initiated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s, these federal programs aimed to address economic hardships during the Great Depression but often excluded Black workers.

Harry Truman’s Executive Order 9981 (1948)

This order mandated the desegregation of the U.S. armed forces, effective July 26, 1948, marking a significant step towards racial equality in military institutions.

Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA)

Founded by Marcus Garvey in 1914, the UNIA aimed to promote racial pride, economic self-sufficiency, and unity among the African diaspora.

Black Cross Nurses

An auxiliary of the UNIA, established in the early 20th century, focused on providing healthcare and education for marginalized Black communities.

Women’s Political Council's impact

The Council's organization of the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955 was pivotal in mobilizing the Black community and advancing civil rights efforts.

Ida B. Wells' publications

Wells wrote noteworthy works such as 'Southern Horrors' and 'A Red Record' in the 1890s, which documented the prevalence of lynching in the United States.

NACW challenges

The NACW faced challenges including colorism, regional differences, and respectability politics, complicating their mission since its founding.

Civil Rights movement timeline

This timeline evolved from earlier struggles for racial equality, culminating in formal legislation aimed at ending segregation and discrimination.

Freedom Riders

Beginning in 1961, activists rode interstate buses to challenge segregation in transportation, confronting discriminatory practices following Morgan v. Virginia.

Social Security Act limitations

The Social Security Act of 1935 excluded domestic workers and agricultural laborers, leaving many Black workers without benefits.

Georgia Gilmore's contributions

In the 1950s, she used her cooking skills to host fundraisers for civil rights activities, significantly contributing to the financial support of the movement.

Ella Baker's activism

A key figure in the Civil Rights Movement, Ella Baker emphasized grassroots organizing and the importance of women's leadership in activism.

NACW motto

The motto 'Lifting as we climb' symbolized the NACW's commitment to improving conditions for Black women and their communities.

Rosa Parks' background

Rosa Parks was raised by Garveyite grandparents in Alabama, significantly influencing her civil rights activism throughout her life.

Southern Manifesto

A document signed by numerous congressional members in 1956 opposing desegregation efforts after Brown v. Board, reflecting Southern resistance.

White Citizens Council

Formed in 1954, this organization aimed to maintain white supremacy and actively resisted desegregation initiatives post-Brown v. Board.

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

Established in 1933, this New Deal program provided jobs to young men, while simultaneously maintaining racial segregation and discrimination.

Fair Employment Practices Committee (FEPC)

Created by Executive Order 8802 in 1941 to enforce anti-discrimination policies in hiring within the defense industry.

Market Opportunities for Black Women

During the Great Depression, domestic work markets were highly exploitative for Black women, reflecting broader systemic inequalities.

Post-1955 Activism Rosa Parks

Following her pivotal role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Rosa Parks continued her activism into later decades, advocating for civil rights and racial equality.

Black Women's Club Movement

This movement flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, providing community services and fostering leadership among Black women.

Massive Resistance Laws

Enacted in Virginia following Brown v. Board, these laws represented the state's efforts to resist school desegregation and maintain racial segregation.

Economic Act (1933)

A New Deal legislation from 1933 aimed at balancing the federal budget and restoring public confidence in the economy.