Civil Rights Movement: In-Depth Notes

Civil Rights Movement: Key Events and Legislation

Page 1: Early Legislation and Resistance to Change

1. First Civil Rights Law: Passed after the Civil War in 1866, this law aimed to protect the rights of newly freed slaves.

2. Second Civil Rights Law: Passed in 1875, it was designed to ensure equal access to public accommodation but was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1883.

3. Congressional Inaction: For 90 years, Congress was unable to pass significant civil rights legislation due to blockages from Southern Democrats, who used tactics like filibustering to prevent progress.

4. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Arrest: In 1963, King was jailed for participating in nonviolent protests against segregation in Birmingham, Alabama.

5. Eugene "Bull" Connor: The public safety commissioner of Birmingham, known for his aggressive response to civil rights protests, including the use of violent force.

6. "Letter from Birmingham Jail": A pivotal document by Martin Luther King Jr. written during his imprisonment, criticizing the lack of action against racial violence and advocating nonviolent direct action.

7. Kennedy's Support for Civil Rights: President John F. Kennedy was prompted to support a new civil rights bill after witnessing the brutality faced by protesters in Birmingham.

8. Significant Event During JFK's Address: On the night Kennedy called for the civil rights bill on television, civil rights activist Medgar Evers was murdered in Mississippi.

9. March on Washington (1963): A historic demonstration where Dr. King delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech, advocating for civil and economic rights for African Americans.

Page 2: The March on Washington and Legislative Advances

10. High Point of Civil Rights Movement: The March on Washington is often cited as the pinnacle of the civil rights movement, showcasing widespread support for civil rights.

11. John Lewis's Speech: Lewis’s speech in preparation for the March differed in tone and content as he emphasized more militant aspects of the struggle, which conflicted with the messages of other leaders.

12. Conflict Significance: The alterations to Lewis's speech revealed tensions between young activists and older leaders regarding the direction of the civil rights movement.

13. Tragic Events (Sept-Nov 1963): Following the March on Washington, significant tragedies included the Birmingham church bombing that killed four young girls.

14. Lyndon B. Johnson: Known for his domestic policies and the Great Society, he was also from the state of Texas.

15. Overcoming Filibuster: Johnson utilized political maneuvering and public pressure to bypass the filibuster opposing the civil rights legislation.

16. Civil Rights Act of 1964: This landmark legislation included Title VII, which prohibited employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

17. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): Established by the Civil Rights Act to help prevent and remedy workplace discrimination.

Page 3: Civil Rights Activism and Key Developments

1. Civil Rights Act of 1964 Gaps: While it tackled various issues, it largely left voting rights unaddressed until later legislation.

2. Freedom Summer Leader: The campaign was led by Bob Moses from the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), involving various civil rights organizations, including the NAACP.

3. Success of Freedom Summer: Approximately 1,000 voter registrations were achieved, at a significant cost of disruption and violence aimed at activists.

4. Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP): Formed to represent the interests of African Americans in Mississippi, highlighting the discriminatory nature of the traditional Democratic Party.

5. Democratic National Convention 1964: The MFDP's challenge was largely ignored, leading to feelings of betrayal among its supporters and a lack of representation.

6. March from Selma to Montgomery: A major activism event advocating for voting rights, marked by national protests and violence faced by marchers, including a brutal confrontation known as Bloody Sunday.

7. Voting Rights Act of 1965: Enacted to eliminate barriers to voting, it was a direct response to the events around Selma.

8. 24th Amendment: Ratified to prohibit poll taxes in federal elections, further enhancing voting access.

Page 4: Impact and Political Shifts

9. Impact of Voting Rights Act and 24th Amendment: These measures drastically increased voter registration and participation among African Americans in the South, leading to significant political shifts.

10. Liberal New Deal Coalition Shift: The civil rights legislation altered the dynamics of the coalition, alienating some traditional Democratic supporters while galvanizing others.

11. Strom Thurmond's Symbolic Act: During the Civil Rights Act debates in 1964, Thurmond conducted a filibuster that lasted over 24 hours, reflecting the strong opposition among certain Southern politicians to civil rights.