Civil Rights Movement Overview

Chapter 27 Terms & Questions

1. How did the growth of the black middle class assist the civil rights movement? (pgs. 868-871)

General Answer

The emergence of a black middle class played a significant role in facilitating the civil rights movement by providing resources, leadership, and advocacy for equality and justice.

Specifics to Think About

• Rights Liberalism: This ideology emphasized individual rights and freedoms, which contributed to the broader calls for civil rights.
• Jim Crow Laws: As the black middle class grew, they played an essential role in challenging these discriminatory laws that enforced racial segregation.
• NAACP: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People mobilized the educated and affluent members of the black middle class to push for legal challenges against segregation and discrimination.

2. Why did World War II play such a critical role in the civil rights movement? (pgs. 872-873)

General Answer

World War II catalyzed the civil rights movement by exposing inequalities within the United States and promoting federal initiatives against discrimination.

Specifics to Think About

• Executive Order 8802: Issued to prohibit racial discrimination in the national defense industry, marking a federal commitment to civil rights.
• The Double V Campaign: Emphasized victory against fascism abroad and racial discrimination at home, galvanizing black activism.
• CORE: The Congress of Racial Equality became involved in promoting civil rights through direct action and nonviolent protests post-war.

3. How did the Cold War work in the favor of civil rights? How did it work against the movement? (pgs. 874-875)

In Favor

• Heightened global scrutiny of America's racial policies, pushing the U.S. government to confront racial issues.
• International pressure for civil rights, especially from newly independent nations advocating for equality.

Against

• The fear of communism led to the marginalization of civil rights activists, branding them as radicals.
• Political backlash restricted certain civil rights advancements due to the desire to maintain political stability.

4. How were the circumstances facing Mexican and Japanese Americans similar to those facing African Americans? How were they different? (pgs. 875-877)

General Answer

While all three groups faced systemic discrimination and marginalization, their experiences and historical contexts differed significantly.

Specifics to Think About

• For Mexican Americans: Faced segregation, labor exploitation, and cultural discrimination, particularly in the Southwest.
• For Japanese Americans: Endured internment during WWII and racial stereotypes; their struggle also involved issues of loyalty and citizenship.

5. How did the NAACP go about developing a legal strategy to attack racial segregation? (pgs. 877-879)

General Answer

The NAACP engaged in a coordinated legal strategy utilizing skilled lawyers to challenge segregation laws in courts.

Specifics to Think About

• Thurgood Marshall: The chief counsel for the NAACP who argued significant cases against segregation, such as Brown v. Board of Education.
• Brown v. Board of Education: A landmark Supreme Court case that declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
• The integration of Little Rock, AK: The NAACP played a critical role in supporting the integration of African American students into formerly all-white schools.

6. What lessons did activists learn from the evolution of the civil rights movement between 1957 and 1961? (pgs. 879-883)

General Answer

Activists recognized the importance of mass mobilization and community engagement in combating racial injustice.

Specifics to Think About

• The death of Emmett Till: Highlighted the brutality of racial violence and galvanized national outrage.
• The Montgomery Bus Boycott: Showcased the power of collective action and sustained resistance.
• MLK and the Southern Christian Leadership Council: Promoted nonviolent protest and community organization.
• Greensboro Sit-ins: Sparked similar protests across the country, demonstrating the effectiveness of direct action.
• Ella Baker and SNCC: Emphasized grassroots organizing and youth involvement in the movement.
• The Freedom Rides: Tested desegregation of interstate bus travel, bringing national attention to the civil rights struggle.

7. In what ways did white resistance hinder the civil rights movement? In what ways did it help? (pgs. 883-891)

General Answer

White resistance posed significant challenges but also inadvertently helped galvanize support for the movement.

Specifics to Think About

• Eugene "Bull" Connor: His violent response to peaceful protests highlighted the injustices faced by African Americans.
• Medgar Evers: His assassination drew national attention to the risks and sacrifices activists faced.
• The March on Washington: A response to white resistance that culminated in a significant demonstration for jobs and freedom.
• The bombing in Birmingham: Resulted in widespread outrage and support for civil rights legislation.
• The Civil Rights Act of 1964: Prompted by the violent repression faced by civil rights activists.
• Freedom Summer: Increased white violence against activists led to greater awareness and calls for voting rights.
• Selma: The violent reaction by law enforcement against marchers led to federal intervention and legislation.
• Voting Rights Act of 1965: Resulted from a combination of increased activism and white resistance.
• The 24th Amendment: A direct response to the struggle against voter suppression tactics.

8. Why were Black Power and black nationalism compelling to many African Americans? (pgs. 892-894)

General Answer

These ideologies offered a framework for empowerment and self-determination in response to systemic racial oppression.

Specifics to Think About

• Black Nationalism: Advocated for racial pride and economic independence.
• Nation of Islam: Promoted a distinct African American identity and a break from traditional civil rights approaches.
• Malcolm X: Became a powerful voice for black empowerment and a critique of nonviolent civil rights strategies.
• The Black Power Movement - Stokely Carmichael: Emphasized the need for radical change and self-reliance.
• Urban Rioting: Demonstrated the frustrations of African Americans living in poverty and discrimination.
• The Kerner Commission Report: Identified systemic inequality as a cause of civil unrest and advocated for significant reforms.

9. What did the Puerto Ricans, Chicano and American Indian movements have in common with the black freedom movement? (pgs. 894-899)

General Answer

These movements shared a common goal of fighting for civil rights and social justice against systemic racism.

Specifics to Think About

• Young Lords: Advocated for the rights of Puerto Ricans and highlighted inequalities within urban settings.
• Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers: Focused on labor rights and social justice for farmworkers, paralleling the civil rights struggle.
• The Brown Berets: Aimed to address issues faced by Mexican Americans, similar to those in the black freedom movement.
• The American Indian Movement (AIM): Focused on civil rights, preservation of culture, and sovereignty.
• The Siege at Wounded Knee: An armed confrontation that highlighted indigenous rights and injustices, akin to black civil rights activism.