Civil rights key terms

Civil Disobedience

1849

Acts of Civil Disobedience was first used as a maneuver for resisting against unconstitutional laws. In other words, people don't want to be arrested for breaking an unconstitutional law. So they created a law so they can resist and testify knowing they haven't broke a law.

Black Codes

1865

Abolished the slavery of blacks, letting them have a little more rights than in the era of the civil war. They did't allow them to have voting rights, or even firearms. If blacks didn't have a job after this, they could be arrested and be forced to work for no pay.

13th Amendment

Dec 6, 1865

This amendment formally abolished slavery in the U.S. No slavery of any kind was used. This was effective and put in the constitution on Dec. 6 1865.

Sharecropping/Tenant Farms

1867

Sharecropping was passed in southern states for the slaves to use as a farming method. It helped former slaves have jobs so they would not have to deal with the law. They were on a contract so they got paid.

14th Amendment

Jul 9, 1868

All people born or naturalized, are automatically citizens of the U.S. This includes former slaves that have been freed. This was ratified on July 9, 1868.

15th Amendment

Feb 3, 1870

This amendment was pretty simple. This amendment gave all african americans the right to vote. Ratified Feb. 3, 1870

Lynching

1882

By extrajudicial action, lynching was a harsh punishment, to mostly blacks, by hanging. Very popular punishment in late 1800s. Later abolished in early 1990s.

Jim Crow Laws

1887

Jim Crow Laws were laws that segregated colored and whites from doing anything together. They continued until later in Brown v Education case. They were abolished in 1954.

Plessy vs. Ferguson

May 18, 1896

This U.S. Supreme court case was upholding the doctrine of "separate but equal." The start of this is when Homer Plessy, a partially black passenger was in first class, telling the usher that he was black. Immediately, he was asked to move in the Jim Crow car, which he refused and was taken into court.

CORE

Mar 2, 1942

Stands for Congress of Racial Equality. This was formed back in 1942, for equality in races. This was pivotal for african americans in the civil rights movement.

Cesar Chavez

1947

Ended his job as a laborer to establish the CSO and UFW. Short for Community Service Org. This was huge for latino workers so they could have jobs. Also helped latino's to work at farms.

Hector P. Garcia

Mar 26, 1948

Founder of American G.I Forum. Was a decorated soldier in the military. Also created an organization for school scholarships.

Non-violent protests

1954

The first Non violent protests started in Birmingham, Alabama. They first started with MLK saying do not fight back, we basically need to show how vulnerable we are, and the guilt will eventually take to notice the president. There were no guns or weapons, just their voices and signs, establishing the term non violent protest.

Brown v Board of education

May 17, 1954

This court ruling was held in Topeka, Kansas. It was a unanimous decision which allowed "separate but equal" public facilities. In this case, they helped break segregation among schools and helped bring peace in the nation.

Desegregation

May 17, 1954

Following the Brown v Board of education, this continued the desegregation of public places. This allowed all races to come to school together. This also applies to nondiscrimination now that desegregation took place.

Thurgood Marshall

May 17, 1954

Appointed by LBJ, Thurgood was a member of the NAACP. He was extra help to the Brown v Education case. He took initiative as a judge and helped provide rights for other blacks. He was sworn in on Oct. 2 1967.

Orval Faubus

1955

Was elected as governor of Arkansas 6 times. Was against segregation when he saw the Little Rock nine supporting it. He also defied the national guard protecting the children at the school. In other words, he hated segregation very much.

Emmet Till

Aug 28, 1955

14 year old who was lynched in Mississippi for being black. Case held in court, which failed surprisingly. This affected and fueled anger for more equality in the blacks.

Rosa Parks

Dec 1, 1955

From the famous bus boycott, Rosa is an activist which her significance started in Montgomery. Where she refused to give a seat up since the bus driver moved a sign to separate blacks and whites. She testified she didn't have to since the signed was moved and was later taken into custody which sparked the bus boycott.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

Dec 5, 1955

Lasted for 361 days of protests by MLK and others. Formed from the event of Rosa Parks not giving a bus seat up. This eventually gained attention from the president and made laws so they can sit wherever.

SCLC

Jan 10, 1957

Stands for Southern Christian Leadership Conference. This was formed a little after the Montgomery Boycott. This consisted of over sixty ministers, including the president of this, MLK

Little Rock Nine

Sep 25, 1957

9 Black students escorted to an all-white school in Little Rock, AR. The purpose was to defeat racial discrimination in a high area of racism. Escorted by 101st Airborne Division.

Civil Rights Act of 1957

Oct 9, 1957

Became passed and enacted by Congress to ensure that all American citizens had the right to vote. This included colored folks too. This was planned to be a voting rights bill.

Sit ins

Feb 1, 1960

Form of peaceful protest, involving diners. When a black was asked to move, they did not. Even if it involved harm, they did not punch back to show the world how politically biased the country is.

Affirmative Action

Mar 6, 1961

Affirmative action made it to where people could have jobs and education. This applied mostly to minorities. Introduced by President Kennedy.

Freedom Riders

May 4, 1961

These were over 400 blacks and whites breaking Jim Crow Laws for freedom. They wanted to end racism. This was held mainly in Jackson, MI.

Ole Miss Integration

Sep 30, 1962

This was an event that caused an uproar. This was because a black air force veteran was enrolled in Ole Miss. There were many riots caused by this.

U of Alabama Integration

Jun 11, 1963

This is an event where black students tried to desegregate Uni. of Alabama. Took place in an auditorium of Alabama. Occurred July 11, 1963

Martin Luther King Jr.

Aug 28, 1963

MLK, a pioneer in the civil rights movement, began his journey for freedom in colors in the mid 1950's. His iconic "I have a dream speech," sparked a change in the segregation period, asking for more jobs and freedom for colored people. It also stated he wanted others to bond together, without any racial bias.

March on Washington

Aug 28, 1963

Held by MLK, this was a very large march for african americans. The purpose was for jobs and freedom. Held on a morning on August 28, 1963.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Jul 2, 1964

This Act was passed to abolish discrimination the gender, race, and religion of a citizen. LBJ signed and established this law. This law is still present.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

May 6, 1965

Allowed war veterans to vote the same as the American citizens. This overcomed the barriers of them being able not to vote. This law gave back to the vets who gave their all.

Watts Riots

Aug 11, 1965

This event took place in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. These were big riots for an african american who was arrested of suspicion for drunk driving. This broke to an argument, then a fight, then riots.

Betty Friedan

Jul 30, 1966

Became the co-founder and organizer of the National Organization for Women. Which strived to give woman the same amount of rights and equality.

Black Panthers

Oct 15, 1966

The BPP was an african american revolutionary party. This party requested the arming of all African Americans. It also requested the exemption of African Americans from the drafting in the military.

Lester Maddux

1967

75th gov. of Georgia. Refused to sit a black in his restaurant for quite some time. He exclaimed it was private property and it was his right to sit specific people. Happened after segregation bill was passed. He later gave up his property and went bankrupt

George Wallace

1968

Politician, and 45th Governor of Alabama. Remembered for strongly supporting racial segregation back in the early 1960s gaining support to be governor. Also served in the military.

Stokely Carmichael

1968

Important figure in the Civil Rights Movement and the global Pan-African movement. Worked with MLK to stage protests. Later was tired of this continued non violence and promoted "Black Panthers."

Title IX

Jun 3, 1972

This made it acceptable to absolutely not be excluded in activities based on sex. This helped women a lot since they faced discrimination from participation. Effective July, 6, 1972.