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White Primary Abolished in GA
In 1944, the Supreme Court ruled the Texas White Primary to be unconstitutional during the Smith vs. Allwright case. This decision forced Georgia to allow African-Americans to vote in their Democratic party as well. So, the Democrats planned to make a private club for their primary. Ellis Arnall, Governor of Georgia at the time, immediately shut this plan down and made the White Primary near its end in Georgia.
http://wwii.lmc.gatech.edu/nan/racial-equality.html -
Integration of Armed Forces
After WWII, blacks were being treated as second-class citizens even after risking their lives to save all Americans. Over a million blacks served in the war, and blacks worked on defense plants along side whites. America accepted the blacks when we needed them, but not after danger was gone. President Truman decided to put a stop to Americas unacceptable behavior by ordering the armed forces to be desegregated. http://dontknowmuch.com/2017/07/truman-ends-discrimination-in-the-military/ -
Brown vs. Board of Education
In this case, the US Supreme Court decided that segregation in schools was unconstitutional. Thus they made an effort to stop it. Georgia did not take fondly to this, and claimed they would shut down or stop funding any and all schools that desegregated. Georgia’s Governor and General Assembly were the ones who decided to not follow this national command. http://www.history.com/speeches/brown-v-board-of-education-ruling -
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Rosa Parks refuses to move from her seat in the front for any white to sit in. This action of hers caused the Montgomery Bus Boycott to begin. This event was organized by MLK Jr. and NAACP civil leaders. They came together to boycott Montgomery buses, and convinced the Supreme Court to declare segregation illegal on any public transportation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montgomery_bus_boycott -
Sibley Commission
This committee was formed to gain public opinion on integration. They let people choose whether they would rather follow federal rule and integrate their schools or follow Georgia law and have schools shut down. Around 60% of Georgians voted they would rather close schools than integrate. In the end, the commission came to the conclusion to let local school boards decided for themselves to integrate or not. https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/education/sibley-commission -
Albany Movement
This movement organized by SNCC and NAACP was intended to desegregate Albany, GA. Hundreds of protests were lead by MLK Jr. here in Albany, yet the movement brought subtle and very little change to the problem at hand. Around 500 people were arrested due to these protests along with MLK himself. http://www.african-american-civil-rights.org/albany-movement/ -
March on Washington
Also known as the March of Jobs and Freedom. The primary goals of this march were to pressure Congress to pass the Civil Rights bill and encourage fair employment, housing, and education for all African-Americans. MLK Jr.'s widely known "I Have a Dream" speech was given during this march. In the end, Congress was convinced and allowed the Civil Rights Act to be passed. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/08/07/us/share-your-memories-of-the-march-on-washington.html -
Birmingham, AL Protests
Birmingham, AL was known as the most segregated city in America. Violence began to become a huge threat when the KKK bombed 16th Street Baptist Church killing 4 black children. MLK Jr. worked to integrate this broken city, and got 3,000 adults and children arrested in the process. http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/exclusive-birmingham-protesters-arrested-1960s-fdny-fighting-hose-attacks-article-1.1776364 -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
This act was sponsored by John F. Kennedy, but carried through by Lyndon B. Johnson due to Kennedy's assassination. After the signing, the Democratic party was split. Richard B. Russell led the southern Democrats who strongly discouraged the passing of this bill. The bill prohibited segregation, prohibited discrimination in firing, hiring, and promotion, and allowed the Federal Gov't to keep funds from any state to brake new rules. http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/civil-rights-act -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
This act allowed around one million African-Americans to have the ability to vote. It prohibited states from creating any laws to hold voting qualifications. Also, kept states from not allowing African-Americans to exercise their rights to vote. This new federal law would guarantee blacks being able to vote, just as the 15th amendment states. https://michronicleonline.com/2013/06/26/the-1965-voting-rights-act-versus-2013-jim-crow-reform/
