Civil Rights Movement

A collection of 100 vocabulary flashcards relating to the Civil Rights Movement, including key figures, events, and terminology.

Plessy vs. Ferguson

1896 Supreme Court case that upheld the 'separate but equal' doctrine.

Separate but Equal

Legal doctrine stating that racial segregation was constitutional as long as the facilities were equal.

Brown vs. Board of Education

1954 Supreme Court ruling that declared separate educational facilities unconstitutional.

Linda Brown

A 9-year-old girl denied admission to an all-white school in Topeka, KS.

Walter Francis White

NAACP leader known for his work in civil rights and lynching studies.

White Citizens’ Council

A white supremacist organization created in response to the Brown ruling.

Emmett Till

A 14-year-old boy murdered in 1955 for allegedly flirting with a white woman.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

A protest against racial segregation on public buses initiated by Rosa Parks in 1955.

Rosa Parks

Civil rights activist who refused to give up her bus seat, leading to the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Leader of the Civil Rights Movement known for his nonviolent approach and influential speeches.

Montgomery Improvement Association

Organization formed to coordinate the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Little Rock Nine

Group of nine African American students who faced opposition while integrating Central High School.

Governor Orval Faubus

Governor of Arkansas who opposed the integration of Central High School.

SCLC

Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a civil rights organization founded by Martin Luther King Jr.

Sit-ins

A form of protest where demonstrators occupy a place and refuse to leave until demands are met.

Ruby Bridges

First African American child to integrate an all-white elementary school in the South.

Freedom Riders

Civil rights activists who rode buses to challenge segregation in the South.

George Wallace

Governor of Alabama known for his pro-segregation stance during the Civil Rights Movement.

Eugene 'Bull' Connor

Commissioner of Public Safety in Birmingham, known for violent repression of civil rights protests.

James Meredith

First African American student to enroll at the University of Mississippi.

Letter from Birmingham Jail

A letter written by Martin Luther King Jr. advocating for civil rights while imprisoned.

JFK

John F. Kennedy, who spoke on civil rights and advocated for equality for African Americans.

Medgar Evers

NAACP field secretary who was assassinated in Jackson, Mississippi.

March on Washington

1963 protest where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous 'I Have a Dream' speech.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Bloody Sunday

A violent confrontation during a voting rights march in Selma, Alabama, in 1965.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Legislation aimed at overcoming legal barriers preventing African Americans from exercising their right to vote.

Malcolm X

Civil rights leader who advocated for black nationalism and was a prominent figure in the Nation of Islam.

Kerner Commission

Group formed to investigate the causes of urban riots and proposed solutions.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination

King was shot and killed on April 4, 1968, sparking national outrage and riots.

Coretta Scott King

Civil rights activist, wife of Martin Luther King Jr., who continued his legacy.

Affirmative Action

Policies to improve opportunities for historically marginalized groups.

Cesar Chavez

Civil rights activist who advocated for better conditions for farmworkers.

Betty Friedan

Feminist leader who wrote 'The Feminine Mystique' and founded the National Organization for Women.

Stonewall Riots

Series of protests by the LGBTQ+ community against police raids in 1969.

Jim Zwerg

Freedom Rider known for his commitment to the civil rights movement despite violence.

NAACP Legal Defense Fund

Founded to provide legal assistance in civil rights cases.

16th Street Baptist Church

Location of a tragic bombing in 1963 that killed four young girls.

Civil Rights Movement

Social movement aimed at ending racial discrimination against African Americans.

March 21, 1965

Date when marchers crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge again after Bloody Sunday.

Equality

The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities.

Integrated Education

The process of desegregating schools by allowing students of all races to attend together.

Nonviolent Protest

A method of protest that does not involve violence, favored by Martin Luther King Jr.

Defiance

Open resistance or bold disobedience against authority.

Lynching

Execution, often by hanging, carried out by a mob without legal authority.

Civil Disobedience

Refusal to comply with certain laws as a peaceful form of protest.

Desegregation

The elimination of laws and policies enforcing racial separation.

Racial Equality

The belief that individuals should have the same rights and opportunities regardless of race.

Marginalized Groups

Communities that experience discrimination and have less power than dominant groups.

Discrimination

The unjust treatment of different categories of people, especially on grounds of race or sex.

Legacy

Something handed down by a predecessor, especially in terms of influence or impact.

Civil Rights Leader

An individual who advocates for civil rights and equality for marginalized groups.

Protest

A statement or action expressing disapproval of or objection to something.

Activism

The policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change.

Racial Segregation

The separation of people into racial or ethnic groups in daily life.

Rev. Ralph Abernathy

Civil rights activist and close friend of Martin Luther King Jr.

The Black Panthers

A political organization founded to combat police brutality and promote civil rights.

Economic Opportunity

Access to career and financial resources that allow individuals to improve their social mobility.

Social Justice

The fair distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society.

Hate Crimes

Crimes motivated by bias against a particular group, including race, religion, or sexuality.

National Organization for Women (NOW)

An American feminist organization founded in 1966 to advocate for women's rights.

The Feminine Mystique

Book written by Betty Friedan that challenged women's traditional roles.

Roe vs. Wade

1973 Supreme Court case that legalized abortion in the United States.

Gains of the Civil Rights Movement

Improvements in civil rights for African Americans, including voting rights and educational opportunities.

Public Civil Rights Agenda

A plan aimed at achieving social justice through legislative and social change.

Urban Riots

Violent disruptions typically occurring in cities, often a response to social and racial tensions.

Civic Participation

Engagement in activities that promote community involvement, such as voting and protesting.

Grassroots Movement

A movement driven by community members rather than by large organizations or leaders.

Equality of Opportunity

The principle that individuals should have equal chances to succeed.

Social Activist

An individual who advocates for change regarding social issues.

Historical Context

The moods, attitudes, and conditions that existed during a certain time period in history.

Anti-Racism

The policy or practice of opposing racism and promoting racial tolerance.

Integration

The process of bringing people of different races into equal membership in a community.

Political Advocacy

The act of arguing in favor of a specific cause, policy, or proposed legislation.

Youth Activism

Engagement by young people in political and social movements.

Legacy of the Civil Rights Movement

The continuing impact of the Civil Rights Movement on society and law.

Empowerment

The process of gaining power and control over one's life and community.