Civil Rights Movement 1945-1965
Overview of Upcoming Classes and Materials
Next Class Date: Next Thursday.
Quiz Notice: Study material from today's class as well as the upcoming class on next Tuesday.
Reading Assignment: Read Chapter 14 of "Constructing the American Business."
Recap of Previous Class
Last Week's Documentary:
Focus on the civil rights movement.
Key events discussed:
The murder of Emmett Till.
The Montgomery bus boycott.
In-Depth Discussion on Civil Rights Movement
Introduction to the Civil Rights Movement
Historical Context:
Often referred to as a "half accomplished revolution" because:
While the Civil War ended slavery and led to constitutional racial equality, racial discrimination persisted post-war.
Late 19th century saw segregation and disenfranchisement of Black voters in the South despite constitutional guarantees.
Question Raised:
Why was there a prolonged system of racial discrimination for nearly a century? What contributed to the end of this system in the 1960s?
Reasons for Change Post-World War II
Two critical factors contributing to the civil rights movement’s rise:
Growing Desire for Change Post-1945:
Ordinary people's increasing willingness to demand justice.
Political Willingness to Accept Change:
Courts, Congress, and the Presidency's response to these demands for civil rights.
GROWTH OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
Impact of World War II:
African Americans contributed significantly during the war:
Served in armed forces and worked in defense industries.
Argument: If they fought for democracy abroad, they deserved equal rights at home.
NAACP Slogan: The "Double V" Symbol- Victory abroad (against fascism) and victory at home (for democracy).
Illustrates the demand for civil rights post-war reinforced by Black veterans' sentiments against discrimination.
Cold War Context:
The U.S. framed itself as a promoter of democracy opposite Soviet Communism.
Discrepancy in asserting freedom while allowing racial discrimination made civil rights a critical issue to address.
Greater Political Voice for African Americans:
The Great Migration:
Migration out of the South to Northern and Western cities began during WWI and accelerated due to job prospects during WWII.
Increased African American voting power, primarily for the Democratic Party, shifted political focus towards civil rights.
Breakdown of Color Barriers:
Integration examples such as Jackie Robinson’s signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 signified changing attitudes and gave momentum to civil rights aspirations.
The Role of Ordinary People in the Civil Rights Movement
The foundational strength of the civil rights movement lay in ordinary people's desire for change, not solely reliant on leaders like Martin Luther King Jr.
Nonviolent Strategy of the Civil Rights Movement
Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s approach to resistance:
Emphasis on nonviolent protest to maintain moral high ground and attract public support.
King (Dec 5,1955) focused on lawful and peaceful demonstration as an essential strategy, contrasting with violent responses from groups like the Klan.
Shift in Civil Rights Tactics in the Early 1960s
More Direct Protests:
Examples include sit-ins and freedom rides that sought to directly challenge segregation in public spaces.
(Franklin McCain, “Remember the first sit-in” 1960)The sit-in movement initiated at lunch counters illustrated a more aggressive approach compared to previous protests like bus boycotts.
Violent Backlash:
Nonviolent protests often elicited violent responses from segregationists, bringing national attention to the civil rights struggle and increasing sympathy among the public.
Political Response to the Civil Rights Movement
1950s Political System Response:
Most responsive to Civil Rights Movement is the courts, particularly the Supreme Court
Courts, particularly under Chief Justice Earl Warren(appointed by Eisenhower), showed a supportive stance with landmark decisions like the Brown v. Board of Education; however, the presidency showed reluctance to enforce civil rights reforms.
Brown v. Board of Education (1954):
Ruling that segregated schools were unconstitutional, thus challenging the precedent set by Plessy v. Ferguson which upheld "separate but equal".
The reaction included resistance from Southern states and reluctance from President Dwight D. Eisenhower to enforce desegregation actions except in instances like Little Rock Central High School (1957).
1960s Political Dynamics:
President John F. Kennedy's sympathetic but cautious approach to civil rights contrasted with Lyndon Johnson's (VP) active push for civil rights legislation following Kennedy's assassination.
1963, John F. Kennedy: publicly states to support civil rights, but was assassinated November 1963.
Lyndon Johnson: a white southern, who really sympathizes with the underprivileged
first job was teaching Mexican-American kids at a segregated school after college
He'd been in the House of Representatives and the Senate, meaning he knew how to work the other politicians. “Johnson Treatment”: where he would corner legislators and would threaten them, intimidate them, and persuade them to do what he wanted them to do
Lyndon Johnson was driven by personal experience working with underprivileged communities and political expertise, he effectively guided significant civil rights legislation through Congress:
Civil Rights Act of 1964: Guarantees equal access to public facilities, end of Jim Crows Segregation
Voting Rights Act of 1965: Authorized federal intervention to ensure voting rights for African Americans, strengthening protections against voter suppression.
Conclusion
The civil rights movement saw the fulfillment of constitutional promises that had remained unaddressed since the Civil War, marking a crucial evolution in the legal landscape for African Americans in the 1960s.