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Reconstruction
Reconstruction marked the beginning of a new era for African Americans. They began to gain equality in many aspects during this time period. -
Fourteenth Amendment
The Fourteenth Amendment said that all men of any race were citizens. under this amendment, African Americans gained their biggest leap towards equality yet. -
Fifteenth Amendment
The Fifteenth Amendment said that you could not be discriminated against based on race when voting. This allowed African Americans to become involved in politics for the first time in American history. -
Civil Rights Act of 1875
This act said that African Americans were to be treated equal in public areas such as accomodations, transportation, and jury duties. This act basically banned segregation. However, it was overturned in 1883. It still was a major step towards equality for blacks. -
Founding of Tuskeegee Institute
The founding of Tuskeegee Institute gave blacks a place where they could receive higher education without the fear of being discriminated against. -
Creation of NAACP
The NAACP worked hard to gain rights for blacks. It was active in the passage of many laws and acts that would help blacks gain equality. -
Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance was a time of social change for African Americans. Many became popular artists, singers, or dancers, They broke the racial barrier in these areas during this time period. -
Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson became the first black man to play in a major league sport. He broke the racial barrier and proved that blacks were equal to whites. -
Executive Order 9981
Executive Order 9981 desegregated the armed forces. This was a major leap towards total desegregation in the U.S. People realized that blacks were able to work with whites. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
Brown vs. BOE was a case that overruled Plessy vs. Fergussen which stated "seperate but equal" facilities were legal. It called for the integration of schools and was another major step towards total desegregation in the U.S. -
Durham, NC Sit-In
The Drurham Sit-In was the first major sit-in in the U.S. It sparked a wave of sit-ins across the nation and got the African American's point across to the whites. -
Civil Rights Act of 1957
This was the first civil rights act since Reconstruction. This act helped protect the voting rights of African Americans. -
Greensboro Sit-In
These sit-ins led the reversal of the Woolworth department store's racial segregation policy. It marked a precedence for segregation and gave hope and rise to other sit-ins across the nation. -
Civil Rights Act of 1960
This act granted the government permission to check voter registration areas to make sure nobody was being prohibited from voting. It also allowed them to fine anyone who was preventing proper voting techniques. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
This was the most crucial part of the civil rights movement. It reaffirmed that segregation was illegal in public accomodations, voting, the workplace, and schools. It gave the federal government more power to enforce its laws. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
This act outlawed discriminatory voting practices in the U.S responsible for the disenfranchisement of blacks. -
MLK's Assasination
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assasination marked the end of the civil rights movement. Even though blacks continued ther path to equality, the traditional movement was dead. MLK was the main leader of the movement and when he died, there was nobody to replace him and the central foundation of the movement was lost.
