Civil Rights and Social Movements Overview

Civil Rights Movement

• Causes:

  • Reconstruction Era Failures.
  • Lack of effective enforcement of equality.
  • Jim Crow Laws enforced racial segregation ("separate but equal").
  • Significant economic oppression for Black people.

• Significant Figures:

  • Malcolm X: Influential in advocating for Black empowerment.
  • Key figures: Stokely Carmichael, Huey Newton.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK): Promoted non-violence and civil disobedience.
  • Associated figures: Andrew Young, Diane Nash, John Lewis.

• Significant Events:

  • 1955: Emmett Till’s murder ignites outrage.
  • 1957: Little Rock Nine integration crisis.
  • 1963: 16th Street Baptist Church bombing.
  • 1965: Watts Riots signify urban discontent.
  • 1966: Founding of the Black Panther Party.

• Tactics:

  • Direct action for voter representation rights.
  • Non-violent protests (e.g. sit-ins).
  • Legal challenges (court cases).
  • Armed self-defense when necessary.

• Community Upliftment:

  • Media coverage helped disseminate movement messages.
  • Establishment of community programs (food, shelter, education).
  • Coalition building among various civil rights organizations.

• Contemporary View:

  • Past media coverage was often biased against Black people.
  • History is now viewed more favorably, inspiring films and honoring the struggle.

• Legacy:

  • Civil Rights seen as a crucial touchstone for racial justice.
  • Mainstream media now depicts the movement positively.
  • Inspired subsequent movements, such as for women’s rights and farmers' rights.

Latino Movement

• Founding and Core Issues:

  • Response to segregation in schools and job discrimination.
  • Important organizations: LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens).

• Significant Figures:

  • Cesar Chavez: Labor leader advocating for farmers’ rights ("Si Se Puede").
  • Dolores Huerta: Co-founder of United Farm Workers union for farm labor.

• Key Events:

  • 1965-1970: Delano Grape Strike, highlighting worker injustices.
  • 1968: East Los Angeles Walkouts by students protesting education quality.

• Tactics:

  • Non-violent protests and strikes.
  • Organization of community grievances regarding education and employment.

• Legacy:

  • Legal changes such as the Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975.
  • Increased awareness of Latino issues within U.S. society.

Women's Movement

• Second Wave Feminism:

  • Focused on equal rights in employment, sexuality, and reproductive rights.

• New Organizations:

  • National Organization for Women (NOW) by Betty Friedan, promoting ERA.
  • New York Radical Feminists challenged patriarchal structures.

• Significant Events:

  • 1963: Equal Pay Act; addressed gender wage gaps.
  • 1965: Griswold v. Connecticut expanded women’s reproductive rights.
  • 1973: Roe v. Wade legalized abortion under privacy rights.

• Significant Figures:

  • Shirley Chisholm: First Black woman in Congress.
  • Gloria Steinem: Founded "Ms. Magazine" to empower women.
  • Betty Friedan: Author of "The Feminine Mystique" advocating for women’s rights.

• Tactics:

  • Mass demonstrations and grassroots organizing.
  • Consciousness-raising sessions for community awareness.

• Legacy:

  • Influenced modern rights policies and enhanced women's participation in politics.

Native American Rights Movement

• Founding Issues:

  • Response to federal policies and urban relocation of Native Americans.

• Key Events:

  • 1969-1971: Occupation of Alcatraz as a protest against unjust policies.
  • 1973: Wounded Knee Occupation highlighting the struggle for sovereignty.

• Significant Figures:

  • Richard Oakes: Key advocate for Native rights.
  • Russell Means: Prominent leader in AIM fighting for indigenous rights.

• Legacy:

  • Increased awareness of Native rights and identity.
  • U.N. adopted measures promoting Indigenous people's rights.

Gay Rights Movement

• Founding:

  • Society for Human Rights (1924): One of the first gay rights organizations.

• Key Figures:

  • Harvey Milk: First openly gay elected official in California.
  • Marsha P. Johnson: Activist at the forefront of the Stonewall Uprising.

• Significant Events:

  • 1969: Stonewall Uprising, pivotal moment for LGBTQ rights.

• Legacy:

  • Legalization of same-sex marriage and protections against discrimination.

Environmentalism

• Founding and Key Events:

  • Establishment of national parks, early conservation efforts by leaders like Theodore Roosevelt.
  • Silent Spring by Rachel Carson raised awareness about environmental pollution.

• Significant Legislation:

  • Clean Air Act (1970), Clean Water Act (1972), Endangered Species Act (1973).

• Tactics:

  • Grassroots campaigns focused on education and direct action (e.g., tree sitting).

• Legacy:

  • Cultivated a greater public awareness of environmental issues and activism.

Anti-War Movement

• Core Causes:

  • Opposition to the Vietnam War and conscription; disillusionment with government narratives.

• Significant Figures:

  • Martin Luther King Jr.: Advocated peace and criticized war expenditures over social justice.

• Tactics:

  • Civil disobedience, teach-ins, protest marches to mobilize public opinion.

• Legacy:

  • Helped shape public policy regarding military engagement and war powers over subsequent decades.

Conservative Movement

• Founding Causes:

  • Reaction against rapid social changes and civil rights movements.

• Significant Figures:

  • Phyllis Schlafly: Key opponent of the ERA advocating for traditional values.
  • Ronald Reagan: Promoted conservative policies focusing on lower taxes and military strength.

• Legacy:

  • A shift in American political landscape towards conservative values and policies.