Successes and SetbacksSuccesses and Setbacks

By: Stephanie, Lauren, Nikole, By: Stephanie, Lauren, Nikole, Yasaman, Doug, BenYasaman, Doug, Ben

BackgroundBackground

As the 1960s began, leaders for the civil As the 1960s began, leaders for the civil rights movement- both African American rights movement- both African American and liberal whites-stepped up the tactics and liberal whites-stepped up the tactics of non-violent resistance throughout the of non-violent resistance throughout the

south. Although eventually many of these south. Although eventually many of these tactics resulted in great gains for the tactics resulted in great gains for the

movement, they generally were met with movement, they generally were met with violence, people were attacked and killed, violence, people were attacked and killed,

and only the federal government was and only the federal government was strong enough to do something about it. strong enough to do something about it.

Students Stage Sit-insStudents Stage Sit-ins► During the winter of 1959 During the winter of 1959

and 1960, civil rights and 1960, civil rights groups held marches, groups held marches, demonstrations, and demonstrations, and boycotts to end segregation boycotts to end segregation in public placesin public places

► In February of 1960, four In February of 1960, four African American students African American students sat down at a segregated sat down at a segregated lunch counter and refused lunch counter and refused to leave until they were to leave until they were served. served.

► This event sparked many This event sparked many other incidents of protests in other incidents of protests in schools across the southschools across the south

Kennedy and Civil RightsKennedy and Civil Rights

► In contrast to previous presidencies’ cautious In contrast to previous presidencies’ cautious stances on the civil rights movement, President stances on the civil rights movement, President Kennedy had promised vigorous support of the Kennedy had promised vigorous support of the movement. movement.

►However, Kennedy’s hesitance frustrated many However, Kennedy’s hesitance frustrated many white liberals and also African Americans.white liberals and also African Americans.

Kennedy and Civil Rights Kennedy and Civil Rights Contd.Contd.

Freedom RidersFreedom Riders► Freedom RidersFreedom Riders were activists were activists

who rode buses into who rode buses into segregated terminals segregated terminals throughout the south. throughout the south.

► In May of 1961, busloads of In May of 1961, busloads of Riders were attacked by mobs Riders were attacked by mobs in Anniston and Birmingham, in Anniston and Birmingham, Alabama. Alabama.

► Local police were unable or Local police were unable or unwilling to protect them from unwilling to protect them from the angry racists.the angry racists.

► As a result, Kennedy was As a result, Kennedy was forced to use federal marshal forced to use federal marshal law to restore order. law to restore order.

Kennedy and Civil Rights Kennedy and Civil Rights Contd.Contd.

Violence in BirminghamViolence in Birmingham ► In April of 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. led a In April of 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. led a

peaceful demonstration in Birmingham, Alabama. peaceful demonstration in Birmingham, Alabama. ►On the orders of the police commissioner, the On the orders of the police commissioner, the

police used fire hoses, clubs, and snarling dogs on police used fire hoses, clubs, and snarling dogs on the demonstrators including women and children. the demonstrators including women and children.

► Kennedy sent 3,000 troops to restore peace in the Kennedy sent 3,000 troops to restore peace in the city. city.

Trouble in Southern Trouble in Southern UniversitiesUniversities► In September of 1962, an In September of 1962, an

African American air force African American air force veteran, James Meredith, veteran, James Meredith, sought entry into the sought entry into the University of Mississippi. University of Mississippi.

► The Governor of Mississippi, The Governor of Mississippi, did not allow him to attend did not allow him to attend the university.the university.

► Kennedy sent federal Kennedy sent federal marshals and the national marshals and the national guard, who enabled James’ guard, who enabled James’ entrance into the university. entrance into the university.

The March on WashingtonThe March on Washington

In August 1963, for the 100In August 1963, for the 100thth anniversary of the anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, African American Emancipation Proclamation, African American leaders planned to hold the largest civil rights leaders planned to hold the largest civil rights

demonstration in the nation’s history. This “March demonstration in the nation’s history. This “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom” would press on Washington for Jobs and Freedom” would press for the passage of Kennedy’s proposed civil rights for the passage of Kennedy’s proposed civil rights

bill, which was being debated in Congress.bill, which was being debated in Congress.

The March on Washington The March on Washington King’s Dream of FreedomKing’s Dream of Freedom►More than 200,000 More than 200,000

demonstrators, both African demonstrators, both African American and white, united American and white, united in the nation’s capitalin the nation’s capital

► It is here that Dr. Martin It is here that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., delivered his Luther King Jr., delivered his famous “I have a dream” famous “I have a dream” speech.speech.

► The leaders of the march The leaders of the march then left for a meeting with then left for a meeting with President Kennedy at the President Kennedy at the White House. White House.

The March on WashingtonThe March on WashingtonA New Civil Rights ActA New Civil Rights Act ► The March on Washington was a historic The March on Washington was a historic

event for the civil rights movement.event for the civil rights movement.► It confirmed for Congress the widespread It confirmed for Congress the widespread

support for a civil rights bill.support for a civil rights bill.► After President Kennedy’s assassination on After President Kennedy’s assassination on

November 22, 1963, President Johnson was November 22, 1963, President Johnson was determined to continue Kennedy’s civil rights determined to continue Kennedy’s civil rights policies. policies.

► Even though Johnson himself was from the Even though Johnson himself was from the South, he had broken with the South, he had broken with the segregationists early in his career. segregationists early in his career.

►On July 2, President Johnson signed into law On July 2, President Johnson signed into law the the Civil Rights Act of 1964Civil Rights Act of 1964

Civil Rights Act of 1964Civil Rights Act of 1964► All citizens should have equal access to public All citizens should have equal access to public

facilities as parks and libraries and to such facilities as parks and libraries and to such private businesses serving the public as private businesses serving the public as restaurants and theatres. restaurants and theatres.

► It forbade discrimination in education and It forbade discrimination in education and strengthened the right to vote.strengthened the right to vote.

► It outlawed job discrimination because of race, It outlawed job discrimination because of race, sex, religion, or national originsex, religion, or national origin

Voting Rights Act of 1965Voting Rights Act of 1965►Helped pave the way for more African Helped pave the way for more African

Americans to vote.Americans to vote.►Helped other minorities such as Helped other minorities such as

Puerto Ricans and Mexicans to vote even Puerto Ricans and Mexicans to vote even if they did not read English. if they did not read English.

The End

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbUtL_0vAJk