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Brown v. Board of Eduaction
The Supreme Court ruled that segregated public education violated the U.S. Constitution. It is unfair to seperate black people and white people in public schools. The decision paved the way for future policies against segregation, but many southerners did not accept the decision at first. -
The Montgomery Bus Boycott
An African American woman named Rosa Parks broke the Montgomery Law by refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man. After her arrest, many people were discontent. The African Americans joined together to boycott the bus laws and succeeded. -
Conflict in Little Rock
The Little Rock school board had established a plan to gradually desegregate its schools, beginning with Central High School. Nine young African American students volunteered to enroll. But Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus announced his opposition to integration and called out Arkansas state National Guard. When the nine students arrived at Central High, the soldiers blocked their way. -
Civil Rights Act of 1957
This law established the United States Civil Rights Commission, which had the power to investigate violations of civil rights. The law also gave the U.S. Attorney General greater power to protect the voting rights of African Americans. -
The March on Washington
To put pressure on Congress to pass the new civil rights bill, supporters made plans for a massive demonstration in Washington, D.C. The event brought together the majot civil rights groups-including the NAACP, SCLC, and SNCC-as well as labor unions and religious groups. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The act banned segregation in public accommodations and gave the federal government the ability to compel state and local school boards to desegregate their schools. The act also allowed the Justic Department to prosecute individuals who violated people's civil rights and outlawed discrimination in employment on account of race, color, sex, or national origin.
