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Declaration of Independence: Thomas Jefferson
The Declaration of Independence impacted the movement because it initiated human rights for the people and independence from Britain. The Declaration demonstrated that humans have the right to life, liberty, and happiness. It was a step in the right direction because, although African Americans didn't have their rights yet, it enlightened the truth that all men are created equal. -
"Why Sit Here and Die": Maria Stewart
Maria's Stewart speech impacted the movement because she was the first black woman to speak on anti-slavery. She spoke to both men and women to not allow the racism and oppression to continue and to take action. She was encouraging, and faithful, and advised the people that in order to be treated fairly, demanding equal rights was the correct way to do so. -
"What to the Slave, is the 4th of July": Frederick Douglass
This speech impacted the movement because Douglass argued that the country was celebrating freedom when slavery continued for millions of people every day. The cruelty, injustice, and hypocrisy to make it appear like everyone is equal when they're not. He expressed the wrongfulness in praising a day for "liberty" when not everyone was truly free in the nation. -
Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln was able to influence the movement through his power of presidency. He always believed that slavery was a "great evil" and begun to prohibit slavery from spreading to other territories. He emancipated many slaves and welcomed them into the military. With the 13th amendment he called for the abolition of slavery and during his second inaugural speech, claimed he wanted to heal the nation after the war between the North and the South. -
"Lincoln's Second inaugural Address": Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln's speech impacted the movement because he aimed to end slavery and the ideologies between the people. He wanted to convince the South to abolish slavery and give African Americans rights, essentially to end the ongoing war between the two. Many people weren't fond of his plan because he was assassinated shortly after, but five years later black people were rightfully given the right to vote. -
"Southern Horrors: Lynch Laws in All its Phases": Ida. B Wells
Ida B. Wells's pamphlet impacted the movement because she was bringing attention to lynching and racial and sexual violence that was happening in the South. She called out the hypocrisy in the severeness and difference in punishments when it was a black man and a white man accused. The unfairness and injustice that happened when a white man sexually assaulted a black woman, and when a white woman falsely accused a black man. She expresses her feelings and what needs to be done for this to end. -
W. E. B Du Bois
Du Bois influence on the movement came through being the director of publicity of the NAACP (The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). His editor skills in the monthly magazine: The Crisis. He put attention to lynching and encourage laws that would legally prohibit these killings. He was successful in gaining a large audience of readers that turned into supporters of the NAACP. With Du Bois assistance the NAACP became the leading protest organization for black Americans. -
Brown V. Board of Education
The Brown V. Board of Education impacted the movement because it ended racial segregation in schools. It erased the "equal but separate" mentality that was set forth in 1896 and declared it unconstitutional. This was important for black children especially because it meant a better education and services. Everyone was going to learn equally, no one was receiving outdated information or had to sit in an overcrowded classroom. -
Freedom Riders
The freedom riders impacted the movement because both white people and African Americans were protesting at segregated bus terminals. Not only in bus terminals did this occur, but Afro-Americans attempted to enter white-only restrooms and lunch counters as a form of protest too. The confrontation and demand caught the attention of the government and therefore, banned segregation at interstate bus terminals. -
"Letter to my Nephew": James Balwin
Baldwin's letter to his nephew explained a lot of the history of racism in the country. He discussed the reality and daily life of being a black man and past generations. In the end, he has hope that one day they will be free. It's an adequate example of how to explain racism to someone today. -
Fannie Lou Hamer
Hamer influence on the Civil Right Movement occurred after she had been sterilized without her consent in Mississippi. She became an organizer for Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and went with 17 of her neighbors on to register to vote or at least attempt to. She helped organize Freedom Summer to help with African American voter registration in the segregated South. In 1964, she tried to run for Mississippi House of Representatives, but was barred from ballot. -
March On Washington
The march on Washington impacted the movement because it was a massive protest that pressured Kennedy's administration to propose a federal civil rights bill in Congress. The protest consisted of jobs and freedom: economic equality, fair wages, protection, and civil rights in general. One of the most influential moments during the march was Dr. King's speech, "I Have a Dream" which helped pass the 1964 Civil Rights Act. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act impacted the movement because it overturned segregation in the country. It ensured equal laws regarding employment, education, and housing no matter what your race, religion, sex, nationality, etc. This meant black people could visit many public settlements (restaurants, theaters, hotels) that were previously for "whites only" or places where they were denied entry. -
Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. King is a widely recognizable figure in the Civil Rights Movement because he was a leader who took part in peaceful protests and events that led to ending racial injustice. His most iconic moment was his speech "I Have a Dream" which projected his great oratorical skills, won a Nobel Peace Prize for it, and influenced the passing of the Civil Rights Act (1964) and Voting Rights Act (1965). He continued to fight for change; human rights around the world and economic justice in Vietnam. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
The Voting Rights Act impacted the movement because it ended years of discriminatory behavior towards black people during elections. In the South, laws and loopholes were placed like a literacy test to prevent African Americans from voting. However, when the Voting Rights Act was passed it prevented any obstacles in order to register to vote. It also stopped the notion that men are different from other men, as President Lyndon. B Johnson declared. -
John Lewis
A co-founder and chairman of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee. Lewis was a leader and organized a lot of the seminal moments in the Civil Rights movement: the Freedom Rides, the 1963 March on Washington, and the Selma to Montgomery Marches. 1960s through the 1980s, Lewis devoted his time to community organizing and voter registration efforts and continued to advocate for civil rights. In 1987, Lewis was elected to represent Georgia's 5th District in the House of Representatives. -
"Between the World and Me": Ta-Nehisi Coates
This book is an example of why the movement exists, and why these injustices can't continue. It provides a framework and questions about American history, its ideals, and current issues. It talks about prejudice and the reality of growing up as a young black man.