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Plessy v. Ferguson
The Civil Rights Act of 1875 outlawed segregation. In 1883, an all-white Supreme court declared the act unconstitutional. In 1896 in the case of Plessy v. Ferguson, it was concluded that separate but equal was constitutional. this ruling enforced the legality of the sseparation of public facilities as long as they were even. -
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Reforms of the Warren Court
Warren court rulings expanded the rights of the people accused of crimes:
- illegally seized evidence cannot be used in court
- courts must provide legal counsel to the poor
- suspect must be read their rights before questioning -
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka
In this case, the Supreme Court unanimously agreed that segregation in schools was unconstitutional even if the facilities were equal. -
The Montgomery Bus Boycott
In 1955, NAACP officer Rosa Parks was arrested for not giving up her seat on the bus. This demonstration led to bus boycotts. African Americans filed lawsuits, boycotted buses. walked, and carpooled. They received support from the black community, outside groups and sympathetic whites. In 1956, the Supreme Court outlawed bus segregation. (12/9/1955-12/20/1956) -
Crisis in Little Rock
Despite the ruling in Brown v. Board, there was still controversy in schools about desegregation. This was proved during the crisis in Little Rock when students were being harassed and had to have National Guard and paratrooper ensure school attendance. The 1957 Civil Rights Act gave federal prosecutors the right to obtain court injunctions against people who interfered with others' right to vote. -
Election of 1960
John F. Kennedy wins presidential election against Richard Nixon in a close election. -
From the Grassroots Up
By 1960, African American students think that the pace of change is too slow and join organizations to help the cause such as Student nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). -
The Bay of Pigs
The Central Intelligence Agency worked with the Cuban exiles to invade Cuba and topple Fidel Castro who had declared himself communist. However, the plans went wrong and the forces are taken prisoner or killed. JFK paid ransom in food and medicine. The mission was a public embarrassment. -
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The Berlin Crisis
By 1961 20% of Germans had fled to West Berlin creating an economic drain in the east. The Soviets isolated West Berlin from East Germany with the Berlin Wall. (Dates are when the Berlin Wall was built and then destroyed) -
The Cuban Missile Crisis
The USSR sent weapons to Castro in Cuba, including nuclear missiles. President JFK warned the Soviets that a missile attack would trigger war between the United States and the USSR. However, the Soviets avoided confrontation at sea and reached an agreement with the United States of America. Following this agreement, both parties' leaders received heat for the agreement. Khrushchev's prestige was damaged and JFK was criticized for not ousting Castro. -
"I Have a Dream"
In this speech, Martin Luther King, jr. called for civil and economic rights and an end to racism in the United States. -
Tragedy in Dallas
JFK is shot and killed while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. Jack Ruby shot the alleged assassin Lee Harvey Oswald. Vice president Lyndon Johnson succeeds JFK as president. -
Civil Rights
1964 Civil Rights Act prohibited discrimination and allowed enforcement against discriminating practices. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
LBJ signed this act that prohibited discrimination because of race, religion, and gender. -
Tonkin Gulf Resolution
gave LBJ broad military powers -
Immigration
Existing immigration quotas discriminated against non-Western Europeans. The Immigration Act of 1965 ended quotas based on nationality. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
This act stopped literacy tests and allowed federal officials to enroll voters. This increased black voter enrollment -
Higher Education Act (Title IX)
At first it was created only to provide financial aid but it also supported the increase in educational resources associated with colleges and universities. -
Civil Rights Act of 1968
this act prohibited discrimination in housing -
Tet Offensive
In 1968, villagers had gone back to their cities to celebrate Tet (Vietnamese new year). Vietcong staged attacks on over 100 towns and US air bases. This lasts for one month until the US and South Vietnam regain control. -
First Man on the Moon
American astronaut, Neil Armstrong, is the first man to walk on the moon. As a result, university science programs grow. New industries and technologies rise. -
Equal Rights Amendment
this was a proposed amendment that guaranteed legal rights for all citizens regardless of gender. This amendment sought to repair the legal distinctions between men and women in times such as divorce, property, employment, etc. -
Roe v. Wade
In this case, the Supreme Court declared the states' unduly restrictive regulation of abortion was unconstitutional. -
The Final Push
Congress was calling for an end to the Vietnam war. In January of 1973, peace is signed. -
War Powers Act
Congress passed the War Powers Act in 1973. This established that the president must inform Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops and that there is a maximum 90-day maximum dployment without congressional approval. -
The Fall of Saigon
The cease-fire breaks down when North Vietnam invades South Vietnam and the South surrenders. -
Unanswered questions
Warren Commission investigated and concluded that Oswald worked alone in JFK's assassination. However the 1979 re-investigation concluded that Oswald was part of a conspiracy.
