Northern Campaign and The assassination of MLK: Protest, progress and radicalism, 1960-75: History: GCSE (9:1)

Reasons for the Northern Campaign

King and some the SCLC felt that they had not won over the black Americans in the North. King had secured the vote for black Americans and desegregation in the South, but most of his efforts had not reached black Americans in the North.

Aims of the Northern Campaign

The need for economic freedom for black Americans. King wanted to achieved fairer distribution of wealth to reduce inequalities, and get rid of poverty.

Chicago Freedom Movement (1966)

Launched by King in 1966.

Aims of the Chicago Freedom Movement

Aimed at removing segregation within Chicago. King was keen to show that non violence could bring change in society outside of the South.

Inequalities in Chicago

Chicago was chosen as it had a population of 4 million people, almost a quarter of them were black. They mostly lived in ghettos in confined areas of the city. There was poor housing, education and high unemployment.

Opposition to King

King gained publicity in Chicago, but his methods were not successful.

Attacks on King in Chicago

King was attacked in Chicago during a march, he was struck by a brick. King was also accused of being a communist for trying to get a fairer distribution of wealth.

Opposition from Northern whites and white Churches

The white community in the North often supported social change in the south, but they were less keen on economic and social changes in the North. They would have to pay high taxes, and feared house prices would fall if blacks moved into the neighbourhood.

Opposition to marches in Chicago

When 500 blacks marches into a white neighbourhood, the white residents threw rocks and bottles at them. The police gave no protection.

Opposition from the Mayor

Chicago's Mayor Daley described King as a 'paid professional agitator'. Daley resented King's interference in his city.

Achievements in the North

House and provision of mortgages for black Americans. Mayor Daley encourages integrated housing, but most blacks remained in the ghettos. The SCLC received a $4 million grant to improve Chicago housing.

Autumn 1966

King left Chicago and Jesse Jackson took over the leadership of 'Operation Breadbasket' which successfully used economic boycotts to increase black employment.

Jesse Jackson

Leader of the SCLC.

Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

Assassinated in Memphis on 4th April 1968 by James Earl Ray.

Funeral of Martin Luther King

100,000 people attended his funeral. The church could only hold 800. After the funeral 200,000 people followed King's body through Atlanta's streets.

Impact of the assassination

It caused riots over 100 cities across America. 46 people died, 3,000 were injured 21,000 arrested and $70 million of damage. One week after his death Congress passed the Civil rights Act of 1968 it prevented discrimination in housing.