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14th Amendment
The 14th amendment gave Black Americans equal protection as American citizens. -
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Jim Crow laws
Jim Crow laws forced racial separation in public facilities in all confederate states and some other northern states. -
Jim Crow laws cont
In 1870 the 15th Amendment permitted African American men the right to vote. Even with these rights southern states did not feel they were equal to white citizens so discrimination remained strong under these laws.Northern states did not adopt Jim Crow laws however discrimination still occurs. -
Plessy vs Ferguson
In 1896 the supreme court ruled in Plessy vs Ferguson that establishments could have black and white people separate but still equal. -
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civil rights in world war II
Before WWII most Black workers were in low-income physical jobs and discriminated in employment. In 1941 government jobs were open to all Americans. Many African American men and women served in WWII honorably yet returned home to prejudice still. America went into WWII to defend freedom across the globe yet this was not practiced on American soils. -
Rosa Parks
Rosa parks after a long shift got on a bus home and sat in the segregated section of the bus, the back of the bus. When a white male got on the bus and there were no seats in the white section, the bus driver Parks and three others gave up their seats. She did not and was arrested which caused outrage and protest led by a Baptist minister, Martin Luther King Jr. -
Civil Rights Act of 1957
Although all Americans could vote, southern states made this very difficult for Blacks along with many freedoms they were now entitled to. This act by President Eisenhower was the first civil rights legislation put into power. It lets individuals or groups be prosecuted, under federal law, for interfering with someone's voting rights. -
Freedom Riders
Seven black and six white activists got on a Greyhound bus in DC and went to southern bus depots to protest segregation at the terminals. This was after the Supreme court ruled that segregation in interstate facilities was unconstitutional. The riders were attacked at stops along the way and even the police were little help but national attention was drawn to the cause. This ended when U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy issued federal marshals to escort the bus. -
March on Washington
Over 200,000 people of all races met in Washington, DC for a peaceful showing in an attempt to force civil rights legislation and make job equality for all. This was when Martin Luther King Jr. gave his speech "I have a dream" which has become famous for equality and freedom for all mankind. -
Civil Rights act of 1964
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the legislation into law. This guaranteed equal employment for all and ensured public facilities were integrated. -
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Civil Right leaders Assassinations
Civil rights movement leaders faced severe consequences for their opinions. The leader of the Organization of Afro-American Unity, Malcom X was assassinated at a rally. Martin Luther King was also assassinated which led to looting and riots. This led the President Johnson administration to endorse more legislation. -
Bloody Sunday
The civil rights movement went to Alabama in protest of where a Black activist was killed by a white cop. The group of 600 were blocked by state and local police. When they refused to stand down they were beaten and tear gassed which caused many to be hospitalized. when some activists wished to retaliate in violence Dr. King convinced that nonviolence was the answer, allowing federal protection for another march. -
Voting rights act of 1965
President Johnson signed into law the Voting Rights Act which banned voter literacy tests and provided federal examiners in specific voting jurisdictions that continued to experience racial tensions. -
Fair Housing act of 1966
Shortly after King's assassination this act was passed into law preventing housing discrimination. This was the last legislation authorized during the civil rights era.