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NAACP
The NAACP became the most powerful civil rights organization in the US. Thurgood Marshall was a lawyer and member- he became the first African American Supreme Court Judge. It was founded in 1909 and continues to be a strong and active organization today. -
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CORE
Congress of Racial Equality was one of the leading Civil Rights Activists organizations. It was founded in 1942. Initialted many demonstrations: Freedom Rides; Freedom Summer voter registration project; March on Washington. Its initial focus was racial integration, in 1966, a change in leadership changed to black separatism and nationalism. This group was originally 1/3 black and 2/3 white. They still help minority groups.
http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/congress-of-racial-equality -
Jim Crow Laws
These were state and local laws that enforced segregation in the Southern states. They started during the Reconstitution period and continued in effect until 1965. -
Brown vs Board of Education
This was a landmark case from the US Supreme Court. This case declared the state law that established separate public schools for black and white students UNCONSTITUTiONAL. This decision overturned the 1896 decision of Plessy vs Ferguson that allowed this type of segregation. -
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Martin Luther King, Jr
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr was a central leadership figure in the American Civil Rights Movement. He was able to achieve more for the African American community in 13 years toward racial equality than anything seen in the previous 350 years. He is best know for his "I have a dream" speech. He helped organized many non violent campaigns. He wrote "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" which illustrates his philosophies. -
SCLC
Southern Christian Leadership Conference was founded in 1957 in Atlanta, Georgia just following the Montgomery Bus Boycott. It was originally called the Southern Negro Leaders Conference on Transportation, but they soon changed to SCLC- incorporating 'Christian' thinking it would highlight the spiritual nature intended by their organization. Martin Luther King, Jr was reigning president until his untimely death in 1968. -
Little Rock Nine
Nine African American students entered Central High School with the help of the National Guard after two failed attempts. Minnijean Brown was suspended and transferred to a school in NY City. Elizabeth Eckford was known for walking alone through the sea of students, she ended up joining the Army. Ernest Green was the first African American to graduate. -
Greensboro Woolworth Sit-ins
Four students from NC A&T go to a whites only Woolworth's in Greensboro, NC for lunch and request to be served. This began a stream of sit-ins across the south and stirring Picket-lines in the North. -
SNCC
The Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee was a result of the sit-in at Woolworth's in Greensboro, NC. A month and a half after this first sit-in, students across the south continued the trend against racial segregation. 200 of these campus based protesters began meeting in Raleigh, NC on what is now called Shaw University. This initiative help to get African American students registered to vote. -
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Black Power and Stokley Carmichael
Stokely Carmichael, an activist with the civil-rights movement. He originated the slogan "Black Power" in the 1960's. Originally from Trinidad, came to New York in 1952. He joined SNCC and went to jail for his participation in the Freedom Riders, he was the youngest to be jailed for his participation.
He changed his nonviolent protesting to one of self-defense. in 1967 he became the Prime Minister of the Black Panthers.
http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/stokely-carmichael -
James Meredith and Ole Miss
James Meredith was the first African American student at Ole Miss. He graduated a year later. He had to fight his way in- using the NAACP for help in getting accepted. His attempt to attend college here sparked a riot. 2 people died and many others wounded. Federal Marshals were dispatched to regain order.
http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/ole-miss-integration -
John F Kennedy's Role in the Civil Rights Movement
John Kennedy helped to support the CRM in many ways. Just before the election of 1960, he helped MLK get out of jail. MLK went on to publicly support JFK. This support was seen through out the AA community: >70% voted for JFK! He appointed many AA to high positions in the administration which helped strengthen the Civil Rights Commission. He was vocal in support of equal rights and charged VP, LBJ with heading up EEO.
https://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/JFK-in-History/Civil-Rights-Movement.aspx -
24th Amendment
The poll tax was ended by the 24th amendment. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
This act ended segregation in public places as well as ended discrimination by employers based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. This was a huge win for the African American community in the fight for equality.
This legislation led to passing of Voting Rights Act of 1965.
http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/civil-rights-act -
Lyndon B. Johnson's Role in the Civil Rights Movement
Johnson was involved in the Civil Rights Movement before becoming president. However, because he was able to persuade the Senate to pass the Civil Rights Act. Following the signing of the Bill, the first pen was handed to MLK who admited it was his most cherished possession. This Act prohibited racial discrimination in employment and all public places. It paved the way for the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/johnson-signs-civil-rights-act -
Malcolm X
Malcolm X was a civil rights activist who was outspoken about Black Muslim faith. Opposite to MLK, he encouraged the people to defend themselves against whites. He pushed black nationalism combined with Islamic faith.This foundation was started while he was in prison- where he was groomed by Elijah Muhammad. When he was released, he became minister over Temple #7 in Harlem. He died 2/21/1965 by assassination by the group he promoted.
http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/malcolm-x -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed this in to law- the discriminatory voting practices going on in many of the Southern states to prevent blacks from voting came to an end.
https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=false&doc=100 -
Black Panthers and Huey Newton
Huey Newton was labeled by the FBI as "Public Enemy Number One" for his involvement as one of the founding members of the Black Panthers. He started the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense with Bobby Seale to give a voice to the black community. This organization became militant and targeted Oakland police. He and Seale penned 'Black Panther Party Platform and Program' to state their goals.
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/the-civil-rights-movement-in-america-1945-to-1968/huey-newton/ -
Kerner Commission
This was a National advisory Commission on Civil Disorders. It addressed racism as the primary cause of riots. This commission requested more help for the African American communities to stand against racial violence and further separation.This report detailed the riots and there consequences, including the related death tolls. This group was assigned by LBJ to identify the causes of the riots and offer solutions.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/kerner-commission-report-released -
Assassination of MLK, Jr.
On April 4th, 1968 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr was shot in Memphis. The wound was fatal. The man who had spent his time and energy in a non violent fight against segregation and for equal rights- was violently taken from this world. This outraged the African American community and caused a time of national mourning. This event gave steam to the equal housing bill- the last significant legislative hurdle of the times
http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/martin-luther-king-jr-assassination
