APUSH Time Period 8C Vocab

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka

A landmark United States Supreme Court case that declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional. The case overturned the "separate but equal" doctrine established by the earlier Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) decision, which had allowed racial segregation in public facilities as long as they were deemed to be "equal."

Thurgood Marshall

_______________ was a prominent civil rights attorney who successfully argued the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954), leading to the desegregation of public schools. He later became the first African American appointed to the United States Supreme Court in 1967, where he continued to champion civil rights and equality until his retirement in 1991.

"Southern Manifesto"

The "_______________ " was a document issued in 1956 by Southern members of the United States Congress in opposition to racial integration in public institutions, particularly schools. It denounced the Supreme Court's ruling in Brown v. Board of Education and advocated for the preservation of segregation and states' rights. The _______________ reflected the resistance of Southern politicians to the desegregation efforts of the Civil Rights Movement and contributed to ongoing racial tensions in the United States during the mid-20th century.

Little Rock Central High School/Little Rock 9

_______________ gained national attention in 1957 when nine African American students, known as the "____________," attempted to integrate the previously all-white school. Despite facing violent opposition and resistance from segregationists, they were eventually escorted into the school by federal troops under orders from President Eisenhower, marking a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement.

Rosa Parks

_______________ was an African American civil rights activist whose refusal to give up her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955. Her act of defiance against racial segregation on public transportation became a symbol of the Civil Rights Movement. _______________ s' arrest led to a 381-day boycott of the Montgomery bus system, organized by civil rights leaders including Martin Luther King Jr., which ultimately led to a Supreme Court ruling declaring segregated buses unconstitutional.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

The _______________ was a year-long protest against racial segregation on buses in Montgomery, Alabama, sparked by Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat to a white passenger. Led by civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., African Americans boycotted the bus system, leading to a Supreme Court ruling declaring bus segregation unconstitutional and ending the boycott. It was a key event in the Civil Rights Movement.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

_______________ was a prominent leader in the American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for his role in advancing civil rights through nonviolent protest and civil disobedience tactics inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. _________ played a central role in organizing key events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where he delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

Southern Christian Leadership Conference

_______________ is a civil rights organization founded in 1957 by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., along with other Southern African American ministers and leaders. The _______________ played a significant role in the American Civil Rights Movement, advocating for nonviolent direct action to challenge racial segregation and discrimination. Led by King, the _______________ organized protests, marches, and voter registration drives throughout the South, aiming to achieve racial justice and equality through peaceful means.

SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee)

The _______________ was a prominent organization in the Civil Rights Movement, founded in April 1960. It was formed by young activists, primarily college students, who advocated for nonviolent direct action to challenge racial segregation and discrimination in the United States. It played a crucial role in organizing sit-ins, freedom rides, voter registration campaigns, and other forms of civil disobedience to combat racial injustice.

lunch counter sit-ins

_______________ were peaceful protests where African American activists sat at segregated lunch counters, refusing to leave until served or arrested. They were a powerful tactic in the Civil Rights Movement, highlighting the injustice of segregation and prompting nationwide attention and support for desegregation efforts.

James Meredith

_______________ is best known for being the first African American student to enroll at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in 1962. His admission, after a legal battle and amidst significant racial tension, was a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement. _______________ 's enrollment sparked riots on campus, leading President John F. Kennedy to deploy federal troops to restore order and ensure Meredith's safety. Despite facing immense opposition, _______________ persisted and graduated from Ole Miss.

George Wallace

_______________ was a four-time Governor of Alabama known for his staunch segregationist views and opposition to the Civil Rights Movement. He famously stood against the desegregation of schools and public facilities, but later in his career, he moderated his views. Despite his initial segregationist stance, he later sought to appeal to a broader electorate and ran for president multiple times.

Project C

_______________ , or the Birmingham Campaign, was a key initiative led by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1963 to challenge segregation in Birmingham, Alabama. Through nonviolent protests and civil disobedience, it aimed to bring attention to racial injustice. The campaign gained national attention due to the violent response of authorities and ultimately led to significant concessions, advancing the cause of civil rights.

Bull Connor

_______________ , was a prominent figure in Birmingham, Alabama, during the Civil Rights Movement. As the Commissioner of Public Safety, he was known for his staunch segregationist views and his use of violent tactics to suppress civil rights protests. _______________ gained notoriety for ordering the use of police dogs and fire hoses against peaceful demonstrators, including children, during the Birmingham Campaign of 1963. His actions garnered national attention and condemnation, contributing to public support for civil rights legislation.

"Letter From Birmingham Jail"

The "_______________ " is a famous open letter written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963, during his incarceration in Birmingham, Alabama. King penned the letter in response to a statement by eight white Alabama clergymen who criticized his involvement in the Birmingham Campaign, arguing that his actions were "unwise and untimely." In his eloquent and impassioned letter, King defended the use of nonviolent direct action in the struggle against racial injustice and explained the urgency of the Civil Rights Movement.

Medgar Evars

_______________ was a civil rights activist in Mississippi who fought against segregation and racial discrimination. As the NAACP field secretary, he organized voter registration drives and investigations into racially motivated crimes.

March on Washington, 1963

_______________ was a historic civil rights rally where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. It drew hundreds of thousands of participants and played a significant role in pushing for civil rights legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

“I Have a Dream” Speech

The "_______________ " ________ was delivered by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963. In his powerful address, King articulated his vision of a future where racial harmony and equality prevail. He called for an end to racial segregation and discrimination, urging Americans to live up to the ideals of freedom and justice enshrined in the nation's founding documents.

24th Amendment

The _______________ to the United States Constitution was ratified on January 23, 1964. It abolished the poll tax as a requirement for voting in federal elections. The poll tax had been used in many Southern states as a means to disenfranchise African American voters and other minority groups, as it imposed a financial burden on those who wished to exercise their right to vote.

Civil Rights Act, 1964

The _______________ was a landmark law signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, aiming to end segregation and discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It prohibited discrimination in public places, employment, and voting, laying the foundation for greater equality in the United States.

Freedom Summer

_______________ , also known as the Mississippi Summer Project, was a voter registration and education campaign organized in 1964 to increase African American voter registration in Mississippi. It involved hundreds of volunteers, predominantly white college students, who faced violence and intimidation from white supremacist groups.

March from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama

_______________ , _________, took place in March 1965 to demand voting rights for African Americans. Led by civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., the marchers walked from Selma to Montgomery to protest discriminatory voting practices. Despite facing violence, their efforts helped lead to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Voting Rights Act, 1965

The _______________ was a federal law aimed at ending racial discrimination in voting. It outlawed discriminatory practices like literacy tests and poll taxes, and it authorized federal oversight of elections in states with a history of discrimination. The Act significantly increased African American voter registration and political participation.

Black Muslims

"_______________ " typically refers to African American members of the Nation of Islam, a religious and political movement emphasizing black empowerment and separation from white society. Led by figures like Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X, the Nation of Islam played a significant role in advocating for racial justice and empowerment during the Civil Rights Movement.

Malcolm X

_______________ was a prominent African American civil rights leader known for his advocacy of black empowerment and self-defense. Initially associated with the Nation of Islam, he later embraced orthodox Islam and promoted racial unity.

Stokely Carmichael

_______________ was a prominent civil rights leader known for his advocacy of Black Power. As chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), he emphasized self-defense and self-determination for African Americans.

Black Panthers/Bobby Seale & Huey P. Newton

The _______________ were a revolutionary socialist organization founded in 1966 by _______________ and _______________ in Oakland, California. They advocated for armed self-defense and community empowerment, and their activism had a significant impact on the Civil Rights Movement.

Black Power Movement

The _______________ was a social and political movement in the 1960s that emphasized racial pride, self-determination, and empowerment for African Americans. It sought to challenge racism through activism, community organizing, and cultural expression, rejecting nonviolent tactics in favor of assertive action.

Angela Davis

_______________ is a prominent activist, scholar, and author known for her work in the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Power Movement. She gained national attention in the 1970s after being charged and acquitted in a high-profile trial.

Lyndon B. Johnson’s ”Great Society”

_______________ "_______________ " was a set of domestic programs launched in the 1960s to address poverty, inequality, and civil rights. It included initiatives like Medicare, Medicaid, and the Civil Rights Act, aimed at expanding access to healthcare and promoting equality.

War on Poverty

The _______________ was launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson in the 1960s to combat poverty and inequality. It included programs like Head Start and the Job Corps, aimed at providing education and job training to disadvantaged communities. While it made significant strides, it also faced challenges and criticism.

Barry Goldwater

_______________ was a conservative American politician known for his views on limited government and anti-communism. He ran unsuccessfully as the Republican nominee for president in 1964.