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14th and 15th Amendment
Gave African American people equal protection under the law.
Granted African American men the right to vote. -
NAACP Founded
A wave of riots lent urgency to the Niagara Movement
The NAACP expanded to over four hundred locations by 1921 -
Harlem Residence
Harlem residence marked the first time mainstream critics turned their attention to African American music, politics, arts, and literature -
American Civil Rights Movement
Mass protest movement against racial discrimination and segregation
The civil rights movement broke the pattern of public facilities being segregated by race -
Civil Rights Act
The landmark 1964 act barred discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin in public facilities — such as restaurants, theaters, or hotels. Discrimination in hiring practices was also outlawed, and the act established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to help enforce the law. -
Desegregation and the Vietnam War
Racial segregation in schools becomes unconstitutional; start of campaign of civil disobedience to secure civil rights for Americans of African descent. -
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Rosa Parks gets arrested when she refused to get up from her seat in a bus
After her arrest continued segregation of Montgomery's bus lines
launched a community wide boycott to compel the system's integration -
March on Washington
250,000 people participated in the March on Washington, after which President John F. Kennedy asked Congress to pass civil rights legislation. -
Jim Crow Laws
Legalized racial segregation
Laws relegated African Americans to the backs of the buses and to separate drinking fountains, dining areas, and restrooms -
Voting Rights Act
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the act into law with Alabama NAACP activist Rosa Parks by his side. Laying out the importance of the bill, Johnson said, "The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men." -
Affirmative Action Policies
- Commonly used in education and employment
- Promotes diversity and inclusion
- Debates about fairness and potential reverse discrimination
- Opinions vary on effectiveness in achieving equality
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Rise of Black Political Power
- After voting rights act, there was a significant increase in black voter registration and participation
- Numerous black officials at local, state, and national levels, including mayors and congresspersons at election
- Civil Rights Movement continued to empower black communities to seek political representation
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Dr. Clifton Wharton Jr.
Dr. Clifton Wharton Jr. is appointed as president of Michigan state university. Dr. Wharton is the first African American to head a predominantly White university. He is also the first black person admitted to the school of advanced international studies at john hopkins university. -
Civil rights activist Marian Wright Edelman
She established the children's defense fund as a voice for poor, minority and disabled children. Edelman serves as a public speaker on behalf of the children. -
Voting Rights Act Amendments
- To protect the voting rights of all citizens, particularly racial minorities
- originally enacted in 1965
- In 1970: lowered the voting age from 21 to 18
- In 1975: provided protections for language minority groups
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Rodney King Beating
Three white police officers in Los Angeles acquitted for the beating of Rodney King, a black man. This attack was videotaped by a bystander and it went global. It started a 5 day riot in Los angeles. -
Election of Barrack Obama
- The first African American president of the United States
- Global financial crisis peaked in 2008, led to a collapse of major financial institutions and government interventions
- US housing faced a downturn, led to economic instability
- Increased awareness and activism around climate change with many initiatives aimed at addressing environmental issues
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George Zimmerman Shooting
The George Zimmerman shooting of trayvon martin sparked a widespread protest and national debate about justice for all and the role of stand your ground laws, this event led to new racial justice movements and the growth of the black lives matter movement.