3.30 Study Guide Stirring of Civil Rights and Kennedy and Civil Rights

What was the 'sit-in' movement?

A nonviolent protest where African American students sat at lunch counters to demand service, despite facing violence and arrests. During these statement making actions, african american students went into lunch diners and sat at the countertops. This was very controversial because they had never been allowed to order in these establishments and better yet even sit there, and shortly after they stated these acts, they paid for it. The sit-in was part of the nonviolent action movement they were taught by the NAACP Program, and they basically had to sit there and accept the beating of the racist whites who were trying their hardest to get these people out of the diners. John Lewis had led the first sit-in, and when he accepted jail time for the arrests, many African Americans sacrificed themselves and also accepted the jail time. For example, in one instance police vans arrived, more than 80 demonstrators were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and this continued to happen until Martin Luther king became involved, and after his arrest and post his presidential person two days later, a couple of weeks passed and the african americans were finally served at the counters.

Who led the first sit-in?

John Lewis

What was the outcome of the sit-in movement?

After persistent protests, African Americans were eventually served at the counters.

What was the Nashville Easter Boycott?

A boycott where African Americans stopped shopping downtown to pressure merchants and the mayor for change. In this boycott, African Americans who spent a lot of money downtown stopped buying from the Nashville retail merchants, Easter was an important time for buying for african americans who would usually spend money on a new outfit no matter their economic status, but they figured that Nashville merchants they would feel the pinch of not having shoppers buy in downtown Nashville, which could put pressure on the mayor to change the rules and regulations Easter boycott was a chance to get over many ideas of nonviolence and help reconcile all the forces in the city. They also demanded the signs to be taken down out of stores that were basically racist signs.

What was the purpose of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)?

To empower youth as a force for change in the civil rights movement.

Who was Ella Baker?

An important figure who encouraged students to maintain control of the civil rights movement. She was involved in the NAACP, SCLC, and SNCC

What were the Freedom Rides?

a series of interracial bus trips organized in 1961 by civil rights activists to challenge segregation in interstate bus travel across the Southern United States after Supreme Court rulings declared segregated buses and bus terminals unconstitutional. Groups led mainly by the Congress of Racial Equality and later joined by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee rode together on buses into deeply segregated states where they faced violent attacks, arrests, mob beatings, and firebombings from white supremacists and resistant local authorities. The Freedom Riders used nonviolent protest tactics to expose the federal government's failure to enforce desegregation laws, drawing national television coverage and increasing public support for the Civil Rights Movement. Their actions pressured the Interstate Commerce Commission to issue stronger regulations in late 1961 officially banning segregation in interstate bus terminals, waiting rooms, restrooms, and restaurants.

What role did Robert Kennedy play in the Freedom Rides?

He intervened by calling the Alabama governor and demanding protection for the riders.

How did the Freedom Rides conclude in Montgomery?

The riders were brutally beaten by white mobs despite the presence of police.

What was the role of CORE in the Freedom Rides?

CORE organized the rides and advocated for equal treatment in transportation.