APUSH_ CIVIL RIGHTS LIGHTNING SLIDES 6

Civil Rights Movement Overview

  • The Civil Rights Movement was a pivotal era in American history focusing on ending racial discrimination and ensuring equal rights.

Emmett Till (Page 2)

  • Background:

    • 14-year-old boy from Chicago.

    • Accused of offending a white woman, Carolyn Bryant, in a grocery store.

    • Brutally murdered by Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam.

  • Mother's Decision:

    • Insisted on an open casket funeral to reveal the brutality of his killing.

    • Inspired national outrage and played a significant role in igniting the Civil Rights Movement.

  • Impact:

    • Directly contributed to the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

    • Mentioned by Rosa Parks during her act of defiance.

Brown vs. Board of Education (Page 3)

  • Ruling:

    • Declared the end of legal segregation in schools on May 17, 1954.

    • Delivered by Chief Justice Earl Warren.

  • Significance:

    • Organized by NAACP.

    • Laid the groundwork for further civil rights advancements.

    • Expanded the movement and instilled hope among activists.

Rosa Parks (Page 4)

  • Refusal to Obey:

    • Refused to give up her bus seat in 1955.

  • Consequences:

    • Sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

    • Became a symbol of resistance against segregation.

  • Impact:

    • Demonstrated the power of peaceful protests.

    • Inspired further acts of resistance within the movement.

Montgomery Bus Boycott (Page 5)

  • Details:

    • African Americans boycotted city buses for segregated seating.

    • Lasted nearly 13 months and caused the bus company significant financial loss.

  • Result:

    • Integration of public buses and spurred national desegregation efforts.

  • Significance for Civil Rights:

    • Showcased the effectiveness of non-violent protests and led to similar actions elsewhere.

Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) (Page 6)

  • Formation:

    • Founded in 1957 as a branch of the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA).

  • Leadership:

    • Included important figures like MLK Jr., Bayard Rustin, and Ralph Abernathy.

  • Mission:

    • Coordinated civil rights protests, advocating nonviolent dissent against segregation.

  • Impact:

    • Organized significant events like the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington.

Little Rock Nine (Page 7)

  • Background:

    • A group of nine Black students attending Central High School in Arkansas in 1957.

    • Faced opposition from Governor Orval Faubus using the National Guard.

  • Federal Intervention:

    • President Eisenhower dispatched the 101st Airborne Division to protect the students.

  • Impact:

    • Highlighted the need for federal enforcement of desegregation policies.

Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) (Page 8)

  • Foundation:

    • Emerged from a sit-in in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1960.

  • Activities:

    • Organized nonviolent protests such as sit-ins and boycotts.

  • Impact:

    • Raised awareness of racial inequalities and contributed to key civil rights legislation.

Martin Luther King Jr. (Page 9)

  • Biography:

    • Born in 1929, became the most recognized leader of the Civil Rights Movement.

  • Key Events:

    • Led the Montgomery Bus Boycott and delivered the "I Have a Dream" speech in Washington.

  • Philosophy:

    • Advocated for nonviolent resistance inspired by Gandhi.

  • Impact:

    • Unified diverse groups for the fight for justice and equality; his legacy endures in contemporary activism.

Greensboro Four (Page 10)

  • Members:

    • Four young Black men initiated the first sit-in at Woolworth’s in Greensboro in 1960.

  • Actions:

    • Their protest sparked a widespread movement leading to integrations in dining establishments.

  • Impact:

    • Inspired many other students to join the civil rights movement.

John Lewis (Page 11)

  • Leadership:

    • Chairman of SNCC in the 1960s.

    • Led the first Selma-to-Montgomery march on Bloody Sunday.

  • Recognition:

    • Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011.

  • Impact:

    • Ensured voting protections for African Americans and continued to advocate for justice throughout his life.

Memphis Sit-Ins (Page 12)

  • Context:

    • Nonviolent activism in Memphis protesting segregation.

  • Challenges:

    • Protesters faced harassment; yet they pressured businesses to desegregate.

  • Impact:

    • Strengthened nonviolent protest strategies and increased youth involvement in the movement.

Freedom Riders (Page 13)

  • Purpose:

    • Activists rode buses through the South to challenge segregated facilities.

    • Faced violence but ultimately contributed to desegregation efforts.

  • Negotiation:

    • RFK ensured safety for the riders.

  • Outcome:

    • Led to desegregation of public transit stations.

Ruby Bridges (Page 14)

  • Background:

    • First African American child to attend an all-white school in Louisiana following Brown v. Board.

  • Challenges:

    • Endured discrimination but became an activist for equality.

  • Impact:

    • Initiated the process of integration in schools.

James Meredith (Page 15)

  • Significance:

    • First African American student at the University of Mississippi; faced severe opposition.

  • Achievements:

    • Earned a law degree in Nigeria; known for his march advocating for voting rights.

  • Impact:

    • His actions advanced desegregation in education.

Letter from Birmingham Jail (Page 16)

  • Context:

    • Written by MLK while imprisoned for leading protests.

  • Content:

    • Explains the necessity of protesting against injustice.

  • Impact:

    • Influenced public support for civil rights and informed the need for change.

16th Street Baptist Church Bombing (Page 17)

  • Date: September 15, 1963.

  • Incident:

    • Bombing killed four young girls; perpetrators were KKK members.

  • Response:

    • MLK's telegram to Governor highlighted the need for accountability.

  • Impact:

    • Shocked the nation and propelled the Civil Rights Movement.

Birmingham Protests (1963) (Page 18)

  • Overview:

    • A boycott aimed at ending employment discrimination.

  • Events:

    • Mass arrests and violent police responses during protests.

  • Outcome:

    • Led to desegregation in Birmingham and influenced the Civil Rights Act.

Children's March (1963) (Page 19)

  • Event:

    • Nonviolent protest by Black children against segregation.

  • Significance:

    • Demonstrated the power of youth in the movement.

    • Supported federal civil rights legislation and the passage of the Civil Rights Act.

March on Washington (1963) (Page 20)

  • Details:

    • Focused on jobs and freedom; featured MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech.

    • A peaceful protest against employment discrimination.

  • Impact:

    • Influenced the passage of the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act.

Selma March (Page 21)

  • Description:

    • Series of protests addressing systemic racism against Black voters.

  • Outcomes:

    • Led to federal support and the introduction of the Voting Rights Act.

  • Impact:

    • Created awareness and spurred legislative action regarding voting rights.

Freedom Summer (June 1964) (Page 22)

  • Context:

    • Campaign to increase Black voter registration in Mississippi.

  • Challenges:

    • Faced violence, including murder and bombings.

  • Outcome:

    • Contributed to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Mississippi Burning Murders (Page 23)

  • Event:

    • In June 1964, three civil rights activists were murdered by the KKK.

    • The event was pivotal in raising national consciousness.

  • Impact:

    • Helped galvanize support for civil rights legislation.

Malcolm X (Page 24)

  • Overview:

    • Leader promoting Black empowerment and self-defense.

  • Legacy:

    • Influenced civil rights activism; advocated for pride in Black identity.

    • Assassinated in 1965.

The Black Panthers (Page 25)

  • Formation:

    • A revolutionary group advocating for Black nationalism and socialism.

  • Programs:

    • Notable for the Free Breakfast for Children program.

  • Impact:

    • Raised awareness about police brutality and promoted community initiatives.

Thurgood Marshall (Page 26)

  • Significance:

    • First African American Supreme Court Justice.

  • Achievements:

    • Known for fighting against segregation and civil rights discrimination.

  • Impact:

    • Advocated for equality in education and healthcare.

24th Amendment (Page 27)

  • Key Facts:

    • Abolished the poll tax, addressing discriminatory voting practices.

  • Outcome:

    • Increased African American voter registration leading to greater political participation.

Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Page 28)

  • Details:

    • Signed into law by President Johnson; ended segregation in public areas.

  • Implications:

    • Transformed the landscape of civil rights. Strengthened efforts against discrimination.

Voting Rights Act of 1965 (Page 29)

  • Legislation:

    • Ensured voting rights and removed barriers that prevented African Americans from voting.

    • Considered a monumental achievement for civil rights.

Fair Housing Act (Page 30)

  • Overview:

    • Signed after MLK's assassination; protected against housing discrimination.

  • Impact:

    • Strengthened civil rights movement by proving government commitment to equality.

Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (Page 31)

  • Event Context:

    • Assassinated in 1968 in Memphis while supporting sanitation workers' rights.

  • Legacy:

    • Turning point for the movement; led to urgent calls for racial justice and legislative progress.