The Civil Rights Movement

Brown v. Board of Education

May 17, 1954

In 1954, Linda Brown was denied entry in her neighborhood school in Topeka because of her race. With the backing of the NAACP, her parents helped Brown sue the school board that went all the way to the supreme court. The court ruled that segregation was unconstitutional and violated the 14th amendment, stating that "separate educational facilities were inherently unequal". From that point on, segregation of public schools became federally outlawed.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

Dec 5, 1955

Many African American leaders were beginning to advocate and push for change outside of the court, and began public protests that advocated for an end to Jim Crow laws and segregation. t. Rosa Parks had been arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery Bus, and this event sparked outrage. Martin Luther King Jr had put together a peaceful protest to boycott the buses in Montgomery. In November 1956, the supreme court deemed segregation on buses unconstitutional, therefore illegal.

Little Rock 9 and Desegregation of Schools

1957

The court had ordered that 9 African American students be admitted to Central High in Little Rock, Arkansas. This outraged officials in the city. Orval Faubus ordered the national guard there to not let the students into the building, joined by an angry white mob. Eisenhower would have nothing of these actions, and the district court ordered the national guard to leave. The white mob had stayed however, and was inciting violence. In response, Eisenhower deployed troops to protect the students

The Sit-in Movement

Feb 1, 1960

As a protest against unequal service, African American protesters would go to restaurants or stores and sit at the counter until they received the same service as white customers. What started as an idea at Woolworth in North Carolina by 4 students, had spread to more the 100 cities by 1961. The 4 students who created the idea, had agreed with activist Ella Baker agreed to create the SNCC. The SNCC had a key role in creating many African American leaders later in the government, like John Lewis

Freedom Riders

1961

Despite being outlawed to segregate public buses, many southern cities did not listen to this law. In response, James Farmer called upon AA and white college students to draw attention to the non integrated bus systems in the south. The buses were brutally attacked by white mobs as they travel through southern cities. In Anniston, the Public Safety commissioner had the KKK attack the riders until they were brutally wounded. Kennedy took notice and took it upon himself to end the violence

James Meredith and the Desegregation of Schools

1962

James Meredith was tried to transfer to the University of Mississippi, which had failed to desegregate. Despite having a court order allowing him to register, blocking Meredith's path was Governor Ross Barnett. President Kennedy would send 500 US Marshals to escort Meredith into the building. At this point, a full scale riot erupted, and 160 marshals were wounded by the white rioters. Kennedy ordered 5000 US soldiers to the campus to keep the violence under control. Meredith graduated in August.

The March on Washington

Aug 28, 1963

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr needed a way to help push the new Civil Rights bill through congress, and A Philip Randolph suggested a march on the Capitol. More than 200,000 demonstrators showed up to Washington that day. They sang hymns and songs and gathered peacefully near the Lincoln memorial. It was at this gathering that the crowed listened to Dr. Kings "I have a dream" speech. The demonstration would prove a success, and pushed the Civil Rights act of 1964 through congress successfully

Voter Registration Among Minorities

1964

The Civil Rights act of 1964 had failed to protect African American voting rights. When trying to change, or even register to vote, many African Americans were attacked and often murdered. From June to October of 1964, black businesses, churches, and homes were bombed, destroyed, and burned in southern states, It was at this point that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr decided to stage another dramatic protest, known as the Selma March. This would result in the Voting Rights act of 1965

Malcom X and the Civil Rights Movement

1965

Not everybody was pleased with the peaceful movement. One of these people was Malcom X, one of the biggest advocators for black power and part of the Black Muslims. While not advocating violence, Malcom and the Black Muslims believed that an integrated society was not possible, and whites and blacks needed to be separated entirely. After tense relations, and going back on his original idea, the black Muslims assassinated Malcom X. Even in death, he became a huge figure for Black Power everywhere

Urban Problems and the Black Panthers

1966

Racism was still a huge problem in the North at this point. Many movements that spawned in northern cities to improve living conditions among minorities had spawned a new Black Power movement, and new groups. One of these groups was the Black Panthers, headed by Bobby Seale and Eldridge Cleaver in Oakland California. This group advocated for the end to racial oppression and the control of all AA communities and institutions completely. They also advocated for avid self defense.