Civil Rights Movement and Leadership Perspectives

Vocabulary flashcards covering the Brown v. Board ruling, the integration of schools, government branch roles in civil rights, and a comparison of African American leadership strategies between the late 19th and mid-20th centuries.

Brown v. Board of Education

A ruling that stated separation created inequality and that the government could not simply build better facilities for Black children to resolve the issue.

Little Rock Nine

A group of nine Black students who attempted to attend a white school due to their good grades, initially being turned away by the National Guard.

Elizabeth Eckford

One of the Little Rock Nine who, after forgetting to go with the rest of the group, arrived at the school alone and was met by a mob.

President Eisenhower

A Republican president representing the North who believed in gradualism as the best approach to changing civil rights.

Gradualism

The belief held by Eisenhower that granting Black people the right to vote would slowly cause progress as they voted for the changes they wanted.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government most forward in the civil rights movement because Supreme Court Justices are appointed for life and are not dependent on external political factors.

Executive Branch

The branch of government that lagged slightly behind the judicial branch; it deployed police officers and federal agents to stop violence during the movement.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government that lagged behind the most during the civil rights movement.

1890s–1920s African American Leaders (Strategies)

Utilized a more gradualist approach, trying to integrate themselves into the economy.

1950s–1960s African American Leaders (Strategies)

Utilized more forceful strategies, making a stand for themselves rather than just joining white society and the economy.

Double V Campaign

A campaign that provided a promise of change, leading 1950s–1960s protestors to believe the federal government would support them more than it had in previous decades.