-
Period: to
Jim Crow Laws
Jim Crow laws were a collection of state and local statutes that legalized racial segregation, these laws existed for about 100 years. The strategies they enforced were the laws to not let African Americans to vote, hold jobs, get an education, etc. Those who attempted to not follow the laws often faced arrest, fines, jail sentences, violence, beating, and death. This had a huge significance and complexity for the black population since they were discriminated against the rest of America. -
Period: to
Ida B. Wells
Ida B. Wells was a journalist, anti-lynching activist, women suffragette, and an early civil rights movement leader. Her book A Red Record had a significant impact because it provided the historical and statistical data on the lynching of American Americans. Her strategy was to make America see and know the brutality of what was happening to her fellow friends/culture. The complexity of her writing allowed Americans to realize how bad lynching was. -
Lynching of Jesse Washington
The body of a white woman was found on the family’s farm and Jesse Washington, a laborer on their farm, was arrested and charged with the woman’s death with no evidence. He was then lynched violently in front of a crowd who wanted to watch. Jesse had a disability and didn’t know he had signed the confession paper. This is significant and complex because the whites used the strategy of de facto segregation, showing that they thought black Americans/people with disabilities were criminals. -
Change with Ida B. Wells
Ida B. Wells helped changed American society through the social impact. This is true because she exposed what was happening to African Americans with lynching which showed how horrible the tactic was. Americans then began to realize this which eventually lead to lynching being illegal. She was a important person who helped the civil rights movement. -
The Scottsboro Boys
Nine African American teens were accused of raping two white women aboard a Southern Railroad freight train in northern Alabama. They were charged with assault and rape with no evidence and two white women told lies, but they believed them over the boys. The boys didn’t get legal representation. This is significant and complex because it was an unfair court decision that ruined these black Americans lives. The whites used the strategy of de jure segregation to rule out these boys. -
Emmett Till
Emmett till who was 14 was shopping at a store and someone said he possibly whistled at a white woman. He was then kidnapped, beaten, shot in the head, had a large metal fan tied to his neck with barbed wire, and was thrown into the Tallahatchie River. This is significant because the killers/white people used the strategy of de facto segregation which is complex because it was unjust since they killed him with no evidence at all which has occurred many times in history. -
The Change with Jim Crow Laws
Jim Crow laws changed American society with the legal aspects. This is the case because at the end of the Jim Crow laws the laws got abolished like lynching and accusations toward black Americans allowing them to have their rights and freedom that they have always fought for. This was a great change for America since African Americans wouldn’t suffer anymore and could live their lives closer to the America dream with their civil rights. -
Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King was a brave man that helped the civil rights movement greatly. He was significant because his strategies were to lead peaceful protests, be a leader under god, and to never lose hope. He spoke his “I Have a Dream Speech” at the Lincoln Memorial and talked about how the Negro is still not free and stated the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence which was complex to note that every man would be guaranteed liberty and the pursuit of happiness. -
Voting Rights Act
This act was signed in law by President Lyndon Johnson. It was significant and complex because it outlawed the discriminatory voting practices and strategies adopted in many southern states after the Civil War, including literacy test and poll taxes fully allowing for African Americans to get the right to vote. This change shaped American society with the legal aspect since it was a new law that got signed for black Americans to vote freely which allowed for them to have this civil right. -
Period: to
Black Power/Black Panther’s
Black Power emphasize racial pride, economic, empowerment, and the creation of political and cultural institutions. This is significant and complex because Black Americans got confidence because of the Black Panthers who used the strategy to protect themselves with guns and fought back against the whites. This changed American society with the social aspect because it made white Americans think that the blacks were violent which was not a great title for the fight of civil rights. -
Change with MLK
Martin Luther King changed American society with the social aspect. This is because he was a civil rights activist that strived for black American rights and tried to make the whole public see that African Americans were just as worthy as whites. He was a leader for the black community and was one of the most important people for the civil rights movement. Eventually after all of his efforts African Americans were able to vote and eventually blacks would live a similar life as the whites. -
Civil Rights Bill for Gays and Lesbians
The first federal civil rights bill for gay men and lesbians was introduced to congress. This is significant and complex because these individual’s were fighting for their civil rights too and this was a big step towards the strategies to get there. This changed American society through the legal aspect because it allowed for the normalization of gays and lesbians throughout communities and they were able to get the civil rights they deserved. -
Guidon “Guy” Bluford, Jr.
Guion “Guy” Bluford, Jr. was the first black American to visit space as part of the Challenger Space Shuttle crew. He was a former US Air Force fighter pilot, and he served as a flight engineer, admission specialist. This is significant and complex because he returned to space three more times and was placed into the International Space Hall of Fame, and The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. He used the strategies of going to school and getting a degree, which lead him to become successful. -
Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison is awarded the Noble Prize in
Literature and was the first black woman to earn the honor. This is significant and complex because it shows that blacks were finally able to get their rights that they deserved. Toni's strategy was to get an education so that her hard work could pay off.
This changed American society with the social lens because it proved that blacks are just as capable of achieving great things like everybody and that everyone should be given their civil rights. -
Colin Powell
Colin Powell is appointed the first Black secretary of the state by George W. Bush, receiving confirmation and eventually serving 4 years. This is complex and significant because he was black and had a major role for his job. His strategy was to work hard to accomplish his goals. This changed American society through the social aspect because it made people realize that some of the most important people of our country are black which shows that civil rights has evolved. -
Election of Barack Obama
Barack Obama is elected the 44th president of the United States becoming the first black American to lead the nation. His strategy was by graduating Harvard law school. He was Illinois State senator and he got reelected in 2012. This is complex and significant because a black man was finally leading our country and was getting good income. This changed American society through the social lens because citizens realized that color doesn’t matter and that blacks should be able to have their rights. -
George Zimmerman Case
George Zimmerman shoots a black high school student Trayvon Martin, claiming self-defense. He is charged with second-degree murder on April 11, and on July 13, a jury finds him not guilty. The #BlackLivesMatter is first used after this event. This is complex and significant because people are still using the strategies of unjust actions to blacks, but get away with it. This changed American society through the social view because it shocked many, but they stood up this time for blacks rights. -
George Floyd Case
George Floyd, a black man, died while being arrested in Minneapolis, Minnesota by Derek Chauvin who was charge for second-degree murder, third degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter for Floyd’s death. This is significant and complex because even though Floyd died, the killer was penalized for his actions. America used the strategy of protesting to stand up. This changed American society through the legal aspect because we have not allowed de facto and de jure segregation to pass anymore.