History of the Americas- Unit 9 Civil Rights Vocabulary Terms

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas

A Supreme Court case where African American families challenged segregated public schools in Topeka, Kansas. The Court ruled that separating students by race in public schools was unconstitutional and violated the 14th Amendment.

It ended the legal basis for school segregation and overturned the earlier decision in Plessy vs. Ferguson. It helped the modern Civil Rights Movement.

“Separate but Equal”

A legal idea that said Black and White people could be separated in public places as long as the facilities were “equal.” This idea came from the Supreme Court decision in Plessy vs. Ferguson.

It allowed segregation in schools, transportation, and other public places for decades until it was overturned by the Brown vs. Board decision.

“with all deliberate speed”

A phrase used by the Supreme Court in 1955 when ordering schools to desegregate after the Brown decision. It meant schools should integrate gradually instead of immediately.

Many Southern states used this vague phrase as an excuse to delay school integration for years.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

A protest in Montgomery, Alabama where African Americans refused to ride city buses after Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger.

The boycott lasted over a year and led the Supreme Court to rule that bus segregation was unconstitutional. It also helped make Martin Luther King Jr. a major leader in the Civil Rights Movement.

League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)

A civil rights organization founded in 1929 that worked to protect the rights of Mexican Americans and fight discrimination.

It used court cases and activism to challenge segregation and improve education and political rights for Latino Americans.

Delgado v. Bastrop ISD

A federal court case in Texas that ruled Mexican American students could not be placed in separate schools simply because of their ethnicity.

It helped end segregation of Mexican American students in Texas schools before Brown v. Board.

Congress of Racial Equality (CORE)

A civil rights organization founded in 1942 that used nonviolent protests like sit-ins and boycotts to fight segregation.

It helped organize important civil rights actions, including the Freedom Rides.

Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)

A civil rights organization founded in 1957 by ministers and activists, led by Martin Luther King Jr., that promoted nonviolent protest.

It organized major civil rights campaigns and marches throughout the South.

Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)

A student-led civil rights group formed in 1960 to organize protests like sit-ins and voter registration drives.

It helped bring young people into the Civil Rights Movement and played a major role in Freedom Summer.

Sit-In

A nonviolent protest where people sit in a segregated place, like a lunch counter, and refuse to leave until they are served.

Sit-ins helped desegregate many restaurants and public places during the Civil Rights Movement.

Freedom Ride

A protest where civil rights activists rode buses through Southern states to challenge segregation in bus terminals.

The riders faced violence, but their actions forced the federal government to enforce desegregation laws.

Boynton V. Virginia (1960)

A Supreme Court case that ruled segregation in bus stations serving interstate travelers was illegal.

This decision helped inspire the Freedom Rides and supported the fight against segregation in transportation.

March on Washington

A huge civil rights rally in Washington, D.C. where about 250,000 people gathered to demand jobs and freedom for African Americans.

During the march, Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, making the event one of the most important moments of the Civil Rights Movement.

Selma March

A series of marches from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama protesting unfair voting laws that prevented African Americans from voting.

Violence against the marchers shocked the nation and helped lead to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

“Letter From Birmingham Jail”

A letter written by Martin Luther King Jr. while he was in jail for protesting segregation in Birmingham, Alabama.

It explained why civil rights activists believed it was necessary to break unjust laws through peaceful protest.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

A major law passed by Congress that banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in public places and jobs.

It helped end legal segregation and became one of the most important civil rights laws in U.S. history.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

A law that banned literacy tests and other methods used to prevent African Americans from voting.

It greatly increased Black voter registration, especially in Southern states.

24th Amendment

A constitutional amendment that banned poll taxes in federal elections.

Poll taxes had been used to stop poor people, especially African Americans, from voting.

Freedom Summer

A civil rights campaign in Mississippi where activists worked to register African American voters and open freedom schools.

It showed how difficult and dangerous it was to fight for voting rights in the South.

Nation of Islam

A religious and political group that encouraged Black pride, self-reliance, and independence from white society.

It influenced important leaders like Malcolm X and helped spread ideas about Black empowerment.

Black Nationalism

A movement encouraging African Americans to create their own political, economic, and cultural institutions.

It promoted pride in Black identity and greater control over Black communities.

Black Power

A movement in the late 1960s that focused on Black pride, political power, and self-defense.

It represented a shift from nonviolent protest toward stronger demands for equality and community control.

de Jure segregation

Segregation that is enforced by laws or government policies.

This type of segregation existed under Jim Crow laws in the South before civil rights legislation.

de facto segregation

Segregation that happens in practice because of social, economic, or housing patterns rather than laws.

It continued to exist in many northern cities even after segregation laws were removed.

Black Panthers

A political organization founded in 1966 that promoted Black self-defense and created community programs like free breakfast for children.

They brought attention to issues such as police brutality and poverty in Black communities.

Watts Riots

Six days of riots in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles after a conflict between police and a Black driver.

The riots showed growing anger over racism, poverty, and police violence in urban communities.

National Organization for Women (NOW)

A feminist organization founded in 1966 to fight discrimination against women in jobs, education, and politics.

It became one of the leading groups pushing for women’s rights in the United States.

Feminism

A movement that supports equal rights and opportunities for women.

The feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s helped expand rights in education, work, and politics.

Roe v. Wade

A Supreme Court decision that ruled women have a constitutional right to choose to have an abortion.

It became one of the most debated and controversial decisions in American politics.

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

A proposed amendment to the Constitution that would guarantee equal rights regardless of sex.

Although Congress approved it in 1972, it was never ratified by enough states to become law.

Title VII

A section of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that made it illegal for employers to discriminate based on race, sex, religion, or national origin.

It helped protect workers from discrimination and improve workplace equality.

National Women’s Political Caucus

An organization founded in 1971 to help women run for political office and gain more influence in government.

It helped increase the number of women involved in politics.

Migrant Farm Worker

A farm laborer who moves from place to place following seasonal crops and agricultural work.

Many migrant workers faced low pay and harsh working conditions, leading to labor movements.

United Farm Workers (UFW)

A labor union formed in 1962 to improve working conditions and pay for farm workers.

Led by Cesar Chavez, it organized strikes and boycotts that brought attention to farm worker rights.

Japanese American Citizens League (JACL)

A civil rights organization founded in 1929 to represent and protect Japanese Americans.

It later worked to gain an official apology and reparations for Japanese Americans who were placed in internment camps during World War II.

American Indian Movement (AIM)

A Native American activist organization founded in 1968 that fought for tribal rights and better living conditions.

It brought national attention to issues like broken treaties and Native American sovereignty.

Counterculture

A movement in the 1960s where many young people rejected traditional social values and supported peace, equality, and personal freedom.

It influenced music, fashion, and political protests during the era.

Woodstock

A famous music festival in New York that attracted about 400,000 people and featured many popular rock musicians.

It became a symbol of the 1960s counterculture and youth movement.

Vietnam War

A war between communist North Vietnam and South Vietnam, which was supported by the United States.

The war caused major political division in the U.S. and led to widespread protests, especially among young people.