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Jim Crow Laws
These were sets of anti-black laws that were used to keep African Americans separated from white people in the Southern states (History.com Editors, 2009). These laws began after the Reconstruction and lasted for decades. They limited black freedoms and put a damper on the progress they made. These laws can be seen as early as the 1860's but really came into play in the 19th century (History.com Editors, 2009). These laws pushed blacks to fight for their rights even harder. -
Fourteenth Amendment
With this Amendment to the Constitution, African Americans and other minorities were given equal protection under the law (History.com Editors, 2009). They were qualified as citizens and given equal legal and civil rights. Slaves were also included as citizens in this Amendment. This was the first big step towards African American rights. -
Fifteenth Amendment
This Amendment granted African American men the right to vote despite possible previous servitude (History.com Editors, 2009). At this point in time women of any race were not legally allowed to vote. Being given the right to vote made them somewhat equals with white people which caused a lot of frustration in the white community (History.com Editors, 2009). In time, voter literacy tests were required to vote so most African Americans still could not vote (History.com Editors, 2009). -
Plessy vs. Ferguson
This Supreme Court case found the notion of "separate but equal" constitutional. A black male refused to ride in the all-black train car and he fought to say his constitutional rights were being violated (History.com Editors, 2009). The court agreed on the notion that as long as black and white facilities were equal, they could be separate as stated by law. This was one of the major cases that involved an African American fighting for their rights. Jim Crow laws became huge after this case. -
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The Civil Rights Era
This was a time when African Americans were seeking equal rights and fighting for social justice. They gained their independence from slavery but still faced much prejudice. They participated in peaceful protests, rides, and court cases to accomplish their mission of equality. They even paired with many white people to take strides towards social equality. -
Brown vs.The Board of Education of Topeka
This was a Supreme Court case that put an end to "separate but equal" and overturned the decision made in Plessy vs. Ferguson. An African American males daughter was refused entry into all-white schools in Topeka merely because she was black (History.com Editors, 2009). The male claimed the black schools were not of equal quality to the white schools. The ruling declared segregation a violation of the 14th Amendment and made black oppression- Jim Crow laws illegal. -
Rosa Park
Rosa was sitting in the all-black bus section. A white man asked her to give up her seat because he could not find one. She refused and got arrested. She was one of the first black women to take a stand against white men and became known as the “mother of the modern day civil rights movement (History.com Editors, 2009). She encouraged the Montgomery Improvement Association to boycott the bus system and it lasted 381 days (History.com Editors, 2009. This led to segregated seating being illegal. -
The Civil Rights Act
President Eisenhower signed this act into law after events of high inequality against African Americans. This act banned segregation of public spaces and employment discrimination on the basis of gender, race, or ethnicity (History.com Editors, 2010). It also included African American voting rights after it was amended it 1964. It forbade the use of federal funding to make discriminatory programs (History.com Editors, 2010). The act put an end to segregation and discrimination based on race. -
Freedom Riders
Seven blacks and six whites boarded a bus to tour the South in attempt to protest segregated bus terminals. They achieved international attention when they were cruelly beat up and had their bus bombed in Alabama by whites (History.com Editors, 2009). When the group was arrested in Mississippi the convictions were overturned (History.com Editors, 2009). Finally, with President Kennedy's help, the Interstate Commerce Commission banned segregation in terminals (History.com Editors, 2009). -
The March on Washington D.C.
Civil rights activist leaders organized a march in D.C. to bring attention to discrimination in jobs and the need for civil rights legislation (History.com Editors, 2009). Thousands of black and white people joined together for a peaceful march. This became one of the most famous civil rights movement events because Martin Luther King Jr. gave his "I have a dream" speech (History.com Editors, 2009).Overtime, this slogan became the concept of equality (History.com Editors, 2009). -
Fair Housing Act
After the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., riots ensued. Pressure was put on President Johnson to push for more civil rights laws (History.com Editors, 2009). The Fair Housing Act was put in place a few days after his death. It is sort of a symbol of all his work towards equality for all. It banned housing discrimination based on race, religion, and more (History.com Editors, 2009). It was the last piece of legislation made during the Civil Rights movement (History.com Editors, 2009).
