ID: Civil Rights Movement
WHEN: 1954-1968 (most intense period, but seeds planted earlier and effects continue later)
WHO:
- Key figures: Martin Luther King Jr. (Minister, leader of SCLC, proponent of nonviolent resistance), Rosa Parks (activist), Malcolm X (Nation of Islam, later advocated for Black Nationalism), Medgar Evers (NAACP leader), Thurgood Marshall (NAACP lawyer, later Supreme Court Justice), Various Civil Rights organizations (NAACP, SCLC, SNCC, CORE)
- Participants: African Americans, white allies, activists, lawyers, politicians (both supporters and opponents)
- Presidents: Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson
WHAT:
A broad movement to secure equal rights and opportunities for African Americans, challenging racial segregation and discrimination. It encompassed various strategies, including:
- Legal challenges: NAACP lawsuits like Brown v. Board of Education
- Nonviolent direct action: Montgomery Bus Boycott, sit-ins, Freedom Rides, marches (e.g., Selma to Montgomery)
- Political activism: Voter registration drives, lobbying for legislation
- Black Power movement: Advocacy for Black self-determination and cultural pride (influenced by Malcolm X). A shift from integration to empowerment within Black communities.
Key Events/Legislation:
- 1954: Brown v. Board of Education: Supreme Court declares state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson.
- 1955-1956: Montgomery Bus Boycott: Sparked by Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat, successful boycott leading to desegregation of Montgomery buses.
- 1957: Little Rock Crisis: Federal troops enforce desegregation of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.
- 1960: Greensboro Sit-ins: Students peacefully protest segregation at lunch counters, inspiring similar protests across the South.
- 1961: Freedom Rides: Activists challenge segregation on interstate buses.
- 1963: March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom: Massive demonstration advocating for civil and economic rights; MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
- 1964: Civil Rights Act: Outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
- 1965: Voting Rights Act: Prohibits racial discrimination in voting, especially in the South.
- 1968: Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act): Prohibited discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing.
IMPACT: Why Significant?:
- End of Legal Segregation: Dismantled Jim Crow laws and other forms of legal segregation.
- Increased Political Participation: Expanded voting rights for African Americans.
- Shift in Public Opinion: Raised awareness of racial inequality and generated support for civil rights.
- Inspiration for other Movements: Inspired other movements for social justice, including the women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and disability rights movements.
- Continued Struggle for Equality: While significant progress was made, racial inequality persists in areas such as housing, employment, education, and the criminal justice system. The Civil Rights Movement laid the foundation for ongoing efforts to achieve racial justice.
- Divisions within the Movement: Exposed different philosophies and approaches to achieving racial equality (e.g., nonviolence vs. Black Power), leading to internal tensions and debates.
- Transformation of American Society: Profoundly changed social norms, legal structures, and political landscape of the United States.