...Kenneth Gill Honors American History II Per: 4 The civil rights movement had a big impact on racial equality. It made the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act possible. In this essay, I will be discussing the factors which contributed to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. I will also discuss the shift in the civil rights movement towards “black power” and the results of the shift. There were many factors that contributed to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In early 1960 a group of black college students staged a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina. This caused similar demonstrations throughout the South that forced merchants to integrate their facilities. In the fall of 1960, participates of the sit-ins formed the SNCC or Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. This group worked to keep the spirit of resistance alive in the South. In 1961 a group of interracial students, collaborating with the Congress of Racial Equality, organized “freedom rides”. These consisted of interracial students traveling by bus throughout the south in an attempt to force the desegregation of bus stations. In some places they were met with physical brutality from whites which forced President Kennedy to dispatch federal marshals to help keep the peace. Kennedy also ordered the integration of all bus and train stations. In October 1962, federal courts ordered the University of Mississippi to enroll its first black student...
Words: 863 - Pages: 4
...How Important Was the Contribution of Martin Luther King To The Civil Rights Movement 55-65? 1955 to 1965 has been classed as the “golden age” of the civil rights movement. Undoubtedly Kings influence, he became the first out right leader of a diverse civil rights struggle. King was gifted with exceptional public speaking abilities & charisma which in due course changed and inspired a entire nation. King had many successes which include the Montgomery bus boycott in 1955, the Birmingham campaign in 1963 and the March on Washington in 1963. Although we cannot ignore the various pressure groups other than kings SCLC. CORE, SNCC and NAACP had a major contribution into improving millions of lives. We also cannot ignore the Federal government and the relationship King had with them. In short King was a key player in civil rights but other groups and organisations also contributed to the civil rights movement. Montgomery Bus boycott – 1955 In 1955 buses all over the south were still segregated, this meant that the front section of the bus was reserved for whites only this meant blacks had to sit at the back, furthermore if a bus was full blacks would have to stand. The boycott started after Rosa Parks refused to leave her seat, she was arrested and fined $14. Because many blacks couldn’t afford cars to travel many resorted to using buses. The boycotts had a major influence on the bus company’s because the majority of customers were in fact black. By boycotting the...
Words: 1378 - Pages: 6
...Why did the Women’s Liberation Movement Emerge in the late 1960’s? Discuss with reference to Britain and the United States of America. In a decade where the whole world was experiencing revolutions due to social discontent, this increased the desire, of women, in the late 1960’s to ‘confront existing structures of oppression,’ giving the impetus for the emergence of the Women’s Liberation Movement. Caine argues the emergence of the movement bought a ‘new tone,’ when discussing women’s oppression. Rather than focusing directly on women’s suffrage, this was a political movement demanding ‘rapid and radical change,’ in an ever increasing ambience of liberalisation. Upon inception, it is vital to highlight one can account different reasons for the emergence of the movement in Britain and America, as different domestic situations led to different reasons for the emergence of a more radical form of feminism. This essay, together with a multiplicity of historians, will consider the importance of World War II and the Civil Rights Movement, and the impact they had on the emergence of the Women’s Liberation Movement. Linked to this is the ever apparent discrimination women faced and increasing desires to change this, coupled with developments of new opportunities, demonstrated by the aforementioned world events. Additionally, the impact of literature such as Betty Friedan’s, The Feminine Mystique, needs to be considered. Whilst all the factors play an important role in contributing...
Words: 3414 - Pages: 14
...How important was Martin Luther King to the passing of the civil rights and voting acts 1964-65 The role of Martin Luther King Jr. in the passing of the Civil Rights/Voting Acts has been greatly disputed within the historical community. Some historians such as Anthony Badger argue that there was 'no person more important' than King, whilst others, such as Clayborne Carson believe the opposite: that even without King the civil rights movement would have 'followed a course of development similar to the one it did'. Differing from both these beliefs, there were factors more important than King in the passing of these acts, however, King was far from an inefficacious factor as Carson suggests. Rather he was an important political giant who was (along with his Southern Christian Leadership Conference) an instrumental aid to a number of vital incidents that massively helped catalyse the passage of the acts. Incidents such as the Selma march and the subsequent "Bloody Sunday" a well as his role in the Birmingham and Washington marches. His role as a prominent activist and talented orator added to King's importance as it allowed him to proliferate ideas of peaceful protest and civil disobedience to the masses. However, despite King's distribution of ideas to the masses, it is the masses themselves, or rather the local leaders of them, with whom the greatest credit for the passing of these acts must be placed due to the pressure they placed on the presidency to enact legislation. What's...
Words: 1852 - Pages: 8
...Women of the Civil Rights Movement: The role of women in the Civil Rights Movement In The American Journal of Legal History, Bernie D. Jones reviews the work of Legacies of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Grofman (2000), and describes the ends to the means. The 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act indisputably were effectual for altering the framework of the questionable American life, for the most part in the southern states. As a consequence, both the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were accountable for the stoppage of vast opposition to the civil rights movement and the fitting fusion into the American Society by African Americans. By way of the Acts, public facilities that avidly participated in segregation became outlawed. Throughout the nation, as a result of the enforcement of the Acts, the former, not so easily attainable education opportunities and employment prospects that consistently had been refused, now, awarded African Americans impressively large supporting political control. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 pioneered immeasurably. Women were given distinctive safeguarding subject to employment discrimination law. Emphatically, invigorating the women’s movement, consequently, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 served movements of other ethnic civil rights. (p. xvi) VOICE OF OMISSION No other group in America has so had their identity socialized out of existence as have black women. We are rarely...
Words: 2507 - Pages: 11
...African-American Civil Rights Movement or 1960s Civil Rights Movement encompasses social movements in the United States whose goals were to end racial segregation and discrimination against black Americans and to secure legal recognition and federal protection of the citizenship rights enumerated in the Constitution and federal law. This article covers the phase of the movement between 1954 and 1968, particularly in the South. The leadership was African-American, much of the political and financial support came from labor unions (led by Walter Reuther), major religious denominations, and prominent white politicians such as Hubert Humphrey and Lyndon B. Johnson. The movement was characterized by major campaigns of civil resistance. Between 1955 and 1968, acts of nonviolent protest and civil disobedience produced crisis situations and productive dialogues between activists and government authorities. Federal, state, and local governments, businesses, and communities often had to respond immediately to these situations that highlighted the inequities faced by African Americans. Forms of protest and/or civil disobedience included boycotts such as the successful Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955–56) in Alabama; "sit-ins" such as the influential Greensboro sit-ins (1960) in North Carolina; marches, such as the Selma to Montgomery marches (1965) in Alabama; and a wide range of other nonviolent activities. Noted legislative achievements during this phase of the civil rights movement were passage...
Words: 507 - Pages: 3
...Rosa Parks’s refusal in 1955 to move to the back of the bus in Montgomery, Alabama, sparked the birth of the civil rights movement. Under Martin Luther King, Jr.’s leadership, African Americans began to demand their rights as American citizens. The African American struggle for civil rights followed a variety of approaches, including the nonviolent tactics of King and the more aggressive methods of Malcolm X. As the movement began to rise, African American literature became more attuned to the events of the decade challenging political ideologies and revolutionary changes. One of these influential figures being Maya Angelou who is remembered as a poet, an author, an actress, a dancer, an educator, even a film director but also as a civil rights activist. While Angelou impacted the world through various aspects, her poetry was used as a political weapon...
Words: 899 - Pages: 4
...Was the legislation that gave African Americans equal rights to ‘whites’ the result of famous, glorified leaders such as Martin Luther King and Lyndon Johnson or was it those who worked behind the scenes, the local groups and individuals, who set the stage for these legal amendments to be possible? The Civil Rights Movement was one of the most significant events in the modern history of the United States that has formed the basis of many of its core values and laws today. The Civil Rights Movement unofficially ended with the passing of the long awaited “1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act” which legally saw an end to the racial discrimination faced by African Americans. However the historiography of the Civil Rights Movement has “undergone some serious revision” since 1965 as it ‘gained popular appeal.’ Initially the Civil Rights Movement was “romanticized” and considered to be a “heroic narrative of moral purpose and personal courage by which great men and women inspired ordinary people to rise up and struggle for their rights” such as the famed Martin Luther King, who was painted as the ‘driving force behind the movement’ ,President Lyndon Johnson and Kennedy and organisations such as ‘The National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People’ (NAACP) This idea of the federal government, prominent leaders and organisations playing the defining role in the passing of these bills soon became less plausible in the 1970’s and 1980’s as the “second...
Words: 3577 - Pages: 15
...Every movement that occurs is the result of a single individual or an act, and every movement that progresses is the result of another single individual or an act. This can easily be said of Jackie Robinson, as he was the individual who progressed a movement that was a long time coming. Jackie Robinson was the perfect person to come along and make a difference on two completely different fronts. Robinson stood for an issue greater than his own dilemma and pushed forward the Civil Rights Movement due to his actions. Robinson at first, was passive when it came to Civil Rights, but as time passed he became more determined and was able to stand tall in the face of adversity. Compared to what he easily could have done, he went over and beyond his role. Jackie Robinson was the perfect advocate to usher in a new era of change, not only on the baseball field but also on the frontline of the Civil Rights movement. The most successful advocates for change are...
Words: 1903 - Pages: 8
...Vote). Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony were the main advocates for the women’s Rights Movement in the 1800s, and Alice Paul was the main activist in the 1900s. The women’s rights movement achieved suffrage by engaging in civil disobedience, having great leadership, and gaining lots of publicity. Engaging in civil disobedience was crucial for the achievement of gaining suffrage for women. On November 5, 1872, Susan B. Anthony brought her mother and sisters to vote with her in her hometown of Rochester, New York. After she cast her ballot voting for Ulysses S. Grant, a US Marshal came and arrested her....
Words: 519 - Pages: 3
...towards the end of the Civil War. The Emancipation Proclamation stated that those who were once slaves were to be set free; however much more than a document would be needed to diminish the ideas and attitudes white people continued to hold onto. Into the 1960’s, one hundred years after the Emancipation Proclaimed was written, African Americans were still suffering from inequality and discrimination. The need to end racial segregation and discrimination sparked the build up to The Civil Rights Movement. Like society, literary trends started to focus on racism and prejudice. In particular, the principled southern-bred writer Langston Hughes shows social injustices and racial prejudice in his writings because he experienced the culture first hand. His poems became the voice for African American’s because he clearly depicts the emotions they felt during this time. Literature as a whole grasped the public’s attention towards The Civil Rights Movement to show the importance of social equality. Langston Hughes’ poems “Merry-Go-Round” and “Dreams” express how necessary it is to put segregation in the past, and encourage African Americans to stay hopeful in order to reach their dream of living in a racially equal America. The Civil Rights Movement was victorious because many African Americans did not get discouraged and lose spirit, but instead properly fought to change the peoples’ mindset by demonstrating unity and nonviolent tactics. During the Civil Rights Movement, it was easy for African...
Words: 1326 - Pages: 6
...Definition Civil rights are defined as "the nonpolitical rights of a citizen; especially those guaranteed to U.S. citizens by the 13 th and 14 th amendments to the Constitution and by acts of Congress" (Merriam-Webster Online). The 13 th amendment of the Constitution abolished slavery in the U.S., and the 14 th amendment insured African Americans of their legal citizenship and equal protection under the law (National Archives Experience). Movement is defined in part as "a series of organized activities working toward an objective; also: an organized effort to promote or attain an end" (Merriam-Webster Online). The Civil Rights Movement was an era dedicated to activism for equal rights and treatment of African Americans in the United States. During this period, people rallied for social, legal, political and cultural changes to prohibit discrimination and end segregation. Historic Roots Many important events involving discrimination against African Americans proceeded the era known as the Civil Rights Movement. The importation and enslavement of Africans is perhaps the most notorious example of inhumanity in United States history. The abolishment of slavery did not change the perceptions that allowed discrimination to continue. • In 1808, there was a ban on the import of slaves. The prohibition was in vein because the trade continued. • In1863, the Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Lincoln officially ended slavery. However, the proclamation could not instantly...
Words: 831 - Pages: 4
...Civil Rights Revolution When looking at all the revolutions to take place, the civil rights is a revolution that thoroughly impacted how the world works today. Although there was lots of divide in people during the civil rights time, the unity and strength of people with the same belief is what made the largest impacts. I evaluated History.com as it is an offical website which has great credibility. It explains in detail of historical events and focuses on facts and lets you form your own opinions. It also states stories told by witnesses and victims. The Thirteenth Amendment was the first point in history when the world started to adjust more to equality. The amendment states: “Abolish slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment...
Words: 1941 - Pages: 8
...Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.” Martin Luther King was a civil rights activist who wanted better treatment and opportunities for black people. Throughout his fight, the civil rights activist displayed characteristics and actions that made him the perfect person to guide the African American people towards equality. The leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference was able to unite a divided nation at a time in which racial tension was at its peak. Through his words and actions, Martin Luther King was able to influence movements that derived long after his departure. One movement that was inspired by the actions of Martin Luther King is the anti-government...
Words: 926 - Pages: 4
...decade of greatest achievement for black civil rights, the 1940’s and 1950’s were periods of equally important gains. Asses the Validity of this statement. Equality was always a touchy subject following the civil war. Following the war, the north did not put emphasis on equality for all men. It took almost a century longer for complete equality to be achieved. Clearly these changes did not come around quickly, and it took a large group effort to bring about change. The ending results of the fight for Civil Rights that came in the 1960’s are of equal or even lesser importance to the events that enacted the change during the 1940’s and 1950’s. The 1960’s were a time of great results of the effort to establish civil rights for African Americans. In the earl sixties, movements such as the Freedom Riders were still in full effect, but the government was beginning to sway to the black side. President Kennedy brings the Civil Rights Bill to congress in 1963. It is put down by the southern democrats. As a result, Leaders of the Civil Rights Movement organize a massive political march in Washington. One of the high points of this march is Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech on the steps of the Lincoln memorial. The efforts come to fruition with the passing of the Civil Rights Bill of 1964, and Voting Rights Bill of 1965. But the Efforts made in the sixties are mere fractions of the total amount of drive from the previous decades. Civil Rights was an important issue that came up after...
Words: 608 - Pages: 3
