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Civil Rights. Background. Plessy vs. Ferguson – 1896 Supreme Court allows segregation Must be “separate but equal” Schools, restaurants, buses, bathrooms, etc. De Facto Segregation “By circumstance” – i.e. neighborhoods De Jure Segregation “By law” – i.e. Jim Crow Laws
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Background • Plessy vs. Ferguson – 1896 • Supreme Court allows segregation • Must be “separate but equal” • Schools, restaurants, buses, bathrooms, etc. • De Facto Segregation • “By circumstance” – i.e. neighborhoods • De Jure Segregation • “By law” – i.e. Jim Crow Laws • Discriminate and segregate because of race • NAACP • Seeks equality through courts / legal system
Brown v. Board (1954) • Overturns Plessy v. Ferguson • Thurgood Marshall – NAACP attorney • “Separate is inherently unequal” • Calls for integration of schools • Not popular in South
Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955) • Rosa Parks arrested for not giving up her seat to white man • SCLC leads bus boycott (nonviolent protest) Martin Luther King Jr. emerges as leader • Boycott is successful as bus segregation laws are ended
Little Rock 9 (1957) • 9 black students integrate Central High School in Little Rock AR • Governor orders National Guard to block students’ entry • Rioting, chaos with opposition to integration • President Eisenhower calls in Army to force integration and protect students
Sit-In Movement • Originally sponsored by CORE • Goal was to go into segregated business, usually a restaurant and take a seat that was reserved only for whites • Stay in seat until served or arrested • Must put up with violence • Example of nonviolent protest
Freedom Rides • Designed to test compliance with anti-segregation laws • Bus trips to South, testing integrated bus terminals • Often encountered violence
Birmingham (1963) • Anti-segregation and anti-discrimination demonstrations • Eugene “Bull” Connor – police chief • Connor uses police dogs and fire hoses on demonstrators • Televised, public outraged • Generates support for Civil Rights movement
March on Washington (1963) • In support of Civil Rights Bill in Congress • MLK makes “I Have a Dream” speech • Civil Rights Act of 1964 passed • Segregation is illegal in public places • Bans job discrimination
Selma March (1965) • March from Selma to Montgomery • Increase support for Voting Rights • State police break up march with violence • Televised, public outraged • March is successful on 2nd attempt • Voting Rights Act of 1965 • Helps register unregistered voters • Ends Voting Tests
Alternative movements • Black Power • Means different things to different people • Self-control, pride, self-defense, use violence if necessary • Young people want a more aggressive approach • Some advocate racial separation • Nation of Islam (Black Muslims) • Believe in concept of Black Nationalism • Racial separation, self-government • Malcolm X – Influential member / leader • Originally preaches against MLK and non-violence • Has a change of heart, supports MLK and non-violent movement • Assassinated by Nation of Islam members • Black Panthers • Militant Black Power movement • Use violence to gain equal rights
Martin Luther King’s Assassination • Assassinated – 1968 • James Earl Ray • In Memphis