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The 50s
The 50s can be described as the beginning of our timeline. Through the first actions that are enacted in legislation, the Civil Rights Movement slowly made its ascent into a national topic.
Extra- The 1950s were a pivotal decade in the Civil Rights Movement in the US. Major contributions included the landmark Supreme Court ruling in the Brown v. Board, which declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional -
Sweatt V. Painter - Legislation
Herman Sweatt, an African-American man, was denied admission into The University of Texas at Austin law school because of his skin color. Sweatt's case would go to the Supreme Court where the case would be in Sweatt's favor because the separate law school for African Americans was drastically unequal, granting him admission into the school and the Equal Protection Clause be used. -
Keys v. Carolina Coach - Legislation
22-year-old Sarah Keys Evans refused to give up her seat on a state charter bus. Her case was fought against the charter company, and the Interstate Commerce Commission eventually ruled that racial segregation on interstate buses was unconstitutional and in favor of Mrs. Keys. -
Emmett Till’s Murder - Violence by opposition
This was a racial murder against a Mississippian, African-American boy, Emmett Till. Till was accused of catcalling a white woman and was hunted down by two white men and brutally beaten to death. His death would be a large spark in the Civil Rights Movement -
Montgomery Bus Boycott - Protest
The Montgomery Bus Boycott was a civil rights protest in Montgomery, Alabama. The boycott is regarded as the first large-scale demonstration against segregation in America. The protesters would not ride the city buses, losing that company millions of dollars. -
Creation of the Montgomery Improvement Association - No violence
This was established because of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and was a root to fight against segregation and more specifically to desegregate buses, giving more rights to African-Americans in the South. -
Civil Rights Act of 1957 - Legislation
This was the first legislation for Civil Rights since the reconstruction period of the Civil War. This legislation established civil rights power for the Justice Department. -
Leadership Conference - No violence
The Leadership Conference was created in 1957 and its main goal was to abolish legalized segregation in the US. They used tactics and strategies that are derived from MLK and his success during the CRM (Civil Rights Movement). -
Little Rock Nine Crisis - Achievement protest
The Little Rock Nine Crisis was where 9 African- American students enrolled in a formerly all-white school and were faced with several threats to the point that the National Guard need to step in to protect them. -
Cooper v. Aaron - Legislation
This case ruled that the state of Arkansas can not pass legislation that goes against the ruling of Brown v. Board. This kept African-Americans in the school system -
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The 1960s
The 1960s saw a major shift in the CRM with the rise of nonviolent protests, sit-ins, and boycotts. Key events included the March on Washington, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Extra - The 60s were a time of great change and progress in CRM. Major contributions included the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 which outlawed discrimination on the basis of race and ensured voting rights for African Americans. -
Greensboro Sit-In - Achievement protest
This was a Civil Rights protest that started in 1960 and it was where African- American students sat at a segregated lunch counter in North Carolina. This protest would become very trendy and spread throughout the South. -
Albany Campaign - Achievement protest
The Albany movement was an allianced effort to produce Civil Rights protests in Albany, GA. This movement aimed to eventually end all forms of segregation throughout the city through nonviolent demonstrations such as Jail-ins or Sit-ins. -
Freedom Rides - Non-Violence
The Freedom Rides were a series of Civil rights activism where white and African-Americans would take bus trips through the South. While on their trips they would stop in "whites-only" restrooms, even if they were African-American. -
Integration of the University of Mississippi - Achievement protest.
James Meredith was an African-American that was enrolled in Ole Miss. White segregationists would cause riots and violent protests, and despite this, 120 Marshalls were there to protect Meredith and this helped integrate the school. -
Birmingham Movement - Achievement protest/ violence by opposition
The Birmingham Movement was a campaign led by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to desegregate public places in Birmingham, Alabama. These were the protests that put MLK in jail and led to the "Letter from Birmingham Jail". This was a massive success on the CRM and would progress desegregation more. -
Assassination of Medgar Evers - Violence by opposition
While standing in his driveway, Medgar Evers was shot to death by a white supremacist De La Beckwith. Beckwith was not sentenced because of an all-white jury. 30 years later, the state of Mississippi reopened the trial where he was convicted and put in prison for the rest of his life. -
March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom - Achievement protest
The March on Washington was the largest demonstration against segregation and for Civil Rights for its time. With an attendance of 250,000, the crowd consisted of many minorities across the US, but mainly African-American. MLK would give his famous speech "I Have a Dream" during this march. -
Mississippi Freedom Summer - Non-violence
This was a voting registration drive that tried to get more African-Americans to register to vote during the 1960s. About 700 white people would join the drive to decrease voter intimidation. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964 - Legislation
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is legislation that gave significant rights to every minority and African- American. It highlights that it prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. -
Heart of Atlanta Motel vs. US - Legislation
This case would conclude that the government could intervene between private businesses to prevent them from discrimination on the bases of race due to the Commerce Clause. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965 - Legislation
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 would eliminate any discriminatory voting practices that were implemented during the Civil War. This law was signed in 1965 by Lyndon B. Johnson. -
March from Selma to Montgomery - Achievement protest
This march started in Selma and would end in Montgomery, Alabama. This march was to ensure that African-Americans could exercise their right to vote. This protest would lead to the passage of The Voting Rights Act of 1965. -
Assassination of Malcolm X - Violence by opposition
Malcolm X was assassinated while he was giving a speech in Manhattan. His family was forced to abandon their home right before it was firebombed as well. Malcolm X was a strong leader in the Black- empowerment community and was often the target of attacks due to his beliefs -
James Meredith’s March Against Fear - Achievement protest
James Meredith who had integrated into Ole Miss in 1962 would march from Memphis, Tn to Jackson, Mississippi to protest desegregation and voting rights. On the second day of the march, Meredith was shot. This would only rally the people together and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference would help finish the march, the recovered Meredith would be able to join at the end. -
Fair Housing Act - Legislation
This legislation was passed in 1968 and it prevents any discrimination concerning the sale, rental, or financing of a property based on race, national origin, and sex. -
Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. - Violence by opposition
MLK was assassinated while standing on the balcony of a hotel room in Memphis, TN. His assassination would lead to mass riots across the US that would result in 40 deaths. His killer was sentenced to 99 years in prison -
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The 1970s
The 1970s saw a continuation of the CRM with a focus on issues such as busing, and police brutality. The main things that happened in this time period include the Supreme Court decision in Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg, and the Bakke case as well.
Extra - Major contributions of the 70s include the implementation of affirmative action policies, which aimed to address historical discrimination and promote diversity in education and employment. Other events include the busing crisis. -
Swann vs. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools - Legislation
In this case, it was found that Charlotte was trying to slow down the desegregation process by slowing down the bussing of students. The Supreme Court upheld their decision and unanimously agreed to speed up racial integration in the US. -
Shirley Chisholm’s Presidential Campaign - Non-violence
Chisholm became the first-ever black presidential candidate for a major party nomination. As well as the first woman to run for the Democratic party nomination. -
Hank Aaron’s Home Run Record - Non-violence
Aaron's home run record was a defying moment in the CRM and would set the precedent for more African-American athletes in the US. His record would break racial barriers that hadn't been seen since Jackie Robinson. -
Barbara Jordan’s Address at the Democratic National Convention - Non-violence
Jordan became the first African-American woman to deliver a keynote address for a major party. Her speech is a first of its kind towards the CRM. -
University of California Regents vs. Bakke - Legislation
This Supreme Court case ruled that the universities criteria for admission into its school were a violation of the 14th Amendment.