-
Brown V. Board of Education
African Americans and whites were involved in this event. It ended segregation in public schools as it was declared unconstitutional. It was the first big step for ending segregation as a whole. It also motivated those involved in the movement to keep pushing for the end of segregation in all aspects of the public. -
Montgomery Bus Boycott
African Americans and the bus system were involved. Rosa Parks initially refused to give up her seat for a white man, after she was arrested and detained, it caused outrage. People began boycotting by not riding buses to work and instead walking or taking taxis. Eventually segregation was ended in buses. It was another huge step for ending segregation as a whole. African Americans were beginning to get the same treatment that they always wanted. -
Little Rock Nine
African American, whites and the government was involved. The government wanted to show that African American kids could obey the laws and go to schools with whites. There were 9 black students in a school of nearly 2,000 white students. There were protests to prevent the black students from going to the school and eventually the government had to step in. There were national troops escorting the student to get to school. It proved that whites were not keen on blacks entering their schools. -
Sit-ins
A group of African American college students and whites were involved. They sat at white sections to peacefully protest for service at white public places such as restaurants. It was a not a fast process, but eventually the sit-ins caused the south to abandon their policies of segregation. -
Period: to
Freedom Riders
African Americans were involved. Freedom riders would sit in white-only waiting rooms and wait to see if they were integrated. At first, not much happened, but eventually violence erupted. Police and soldiers started arresting those who were freedom riders. This event ended interstate facilities from segregation and it prevented it as well. -
Period: to
Birmingham Demonstrations
African Americans and whites were involved. Birmingham closed many public areas to prevent desegregation of the city. Activists made peaceful protests on the streets, but the police turned to violence to stop the protest, they released dogs and watered people down with hoses. This made more people side with protesters and eventually, the local businesses gave in and desegregated shops and public areas. -
March on Washington
Civil Rights activists marched on Washington for jobs and freedom. It was the largest demonstration in the nation's capital and it had extensive TV coverage. The march made President Kennedy to initiate a strong federal civil rights bill. Eventually the bill went on to end segregation and it was passed by President Johnson after JFK's assassination.