Civil rights in the US

1956 1965
IB year 2
Woolworth’s Lunch Counter
 The Woolworth sit-ins were a series of
nonviolent protests that took place in 1960
at Woolworth's department store in
Greensboro, North Carolina, USA. The sit-ins
were a pivotal moment in the American civil
rights movement.
 The event began on February 1, 1960, when
four African American college students from
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical
State University sat down at the whites-only
lunch counter at the Woolworth store in
Greensboro. They requested service but
were denied because of their race. Instead
of leaving, they remained seated in a
peaceful protest.
 The sit-ins led to increased awareness of racial segregation and the unequal
treatment of African Americans, prompting a wider movement against
discrimination. The success of the sit-ins also contributed to the formation of the
Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), a prominent organization in
the civil rights movement.
 Over time, as public support for desegregation grew and the sit-ins gained
momentum, many establishments, including Woolworth's, began to desegregate
their facilities.
 The Woolworth sit-ins marked a turning point in the struggle for civil rights and had
a lasting impact on the broader movement for racial equality in the United States.
Freedom Riders of 1961
 The Freedom Riders were civil rights activists who
participated in a series of integrated bus rides
through the Southern United States in 1961. Their
goal was to challenge and protest racial segregation
on interstate buses and in bus terminals. The
Freedom Rides were a crucial part of the broader
civil rights movement and aimed to test the Supreme
Court's ruling in Boynton v. Virginia (1960), which
declared segregation in interstate transportation
unconstitutional.
 The Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) organized the
Freedom Rides, and participants, both black and
white, boarded buses together to challenge
segregated facilities at bus terminals. The original
plan was to travel from Washington, D.C., through
the Deep South, ending in New Orleans.
 As the journey continued, more individuals joined the cause, and additional
Freedom Rides took place throughout the summer of 1961. The riders faced
arrest, beatings, and imprisonment, but their activism and the public
outrage it generated contributed to increased awareness of the need for
civil rights reforms.
 The Freedom Rides represented a courageous and impactful chapter in the
civil rights movement, demonstrating the determination of individuals to
confront segregation and discrimination head-on, even in the face of
violence and adversity.
Important organizations
 CORE:
The Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) is a U.S. civil rights organization that played a
significant role in the American civil rights movement. CORE was founded in 1942 and
focused on addressing issues of racial discrimination through nonviolent direct action
and civil disobedience.
 SCLC:
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) is a civil rights organization
that played a pivotal role in the American civil rights movement. It was founded in
1957, and its primary mission was to coordinate and support nonviolent direct action
as a means of ending segregation and discrimination against African Americans.
 The SCLC adopted a philosophy of nonviolent resistance, drawing inspiration from
Mahatma Gandhi's principles of nonviolent civil disobedience. The organization aimed
to mobilize and organize African American communities to demand their rights
through peaceful protests, marches, and other nonviolent means. One of the SCLC's
early successes was its involvement in the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955-1956.
Important organizations
SNCC:
The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) was a crucial organization in
the American civil rights movement, particularly during the 1960s. SNCC emerged
from the student-led sit-in movement and became a dynamic force advocating for
civil rights and social justice.
The civil rights act of 1964
 https://www.history.com/topic
s/black-history/civil-rights-act
 https://www.investopedia.com
/terms/c/civil-rights-act-1964.
asp
 The Civil Rights Act of 1964
is a landmark piece of
legislation in the United
States that aimed to end
segregation and
discrimination based on
race, color, religion, sex, or
national origin. It was signed
into law by President Lyndon
B. Johnson on July 2, 1964,
after a lengthy and
The Voting Rights Act of 1965
 https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/voting-rights-act

 The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a landmark piece of legislation in the United States
that aimed to eliminate discriminatory voting practices, particularly those that
disenfranchised African American voters. It was signed into law by President Lyndon B.
Johnson on August 6, 1965, and represented a major victory for the American civil
rights movement.
 The Voting Rights Act was a response to widespread and systematic attempts to
disenfranchise African American voters, particularly in the southern states, through
methods such as literacy tests, poll taxes, and intimidation. The Act aimed to ensure
that all citizens, regardless of their race or color, could freely exercise their right to
vote.
 Reading pdf
The Watts Riots
 Video

 The Watts riots, also known as the Watts Rebellion, occurred in the Watts
neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, in August 1965. The riots were a series of
violent disturbances that lasted for six days, from August 11 to August 17, 1965. The
unrest was triggered by a confrontational encounter between a black motorist,
Marquette Frye, and the police.
 The Watts riots were a significant event in the history of civil unrest in the United
States, highlighting the social and economic challenges faced by African Americans
and sparking discussions about racial inequality, discrimination, and police
practices. The events of 1965 had a lasting impact on the city and contributed to a
broader national dialogue about race relations and urban issues during the civil
rights era.
Key figures in the CRM -
Lyndon B. Johnson
 The 36th President of the United States,
serving from 1963 to 1969.
 Johnson assumed the presidency on
November 22, 1963, following the
assassination of President John F.
Kennedy in Dallas, Texas.
 His presidency coincided with a time of
intense social and political change,
including the height of the civil rights
movement.
Involvement in the civil rights
movement
Civil rights act of 1964

Voting rights act of 1965

Affirmative action

Great Society Programs

 Great Society Programs: Johnson's broader legislative agenda, known as the Great
Society, included initiatives aimed at addressing poverty and inequality. These
programs had a significant impact on education, healthcare, and economic
opportunities, with the goal of improving the lives of all Americans, including
minorities.
 Affirmative Action: Johnson also took steps to promote affirmative action through
Executive Order 11246, which required federal contractors to take affirmative
action to ensure that applicants were employed and that employees were treated
without regard to their race, color, religion, or national origin.
Key figures in the CRM -
Martin Luther King Jr.
 A prominent American civil rights leader
and activist who played a crucial role in
the American civil rights movement
during the 1950s and 1960s.
 Emerged as a key figure advocating for
civil rights through nonviolent civil
disobedience.
 Assassinated on April 4, 1968, in
Memphis, Tennessee. His legacy lives on
as a symbol of courage, nonviolent
activism, and the ongoing struggle for
civil rights and equality.
Achievements
 Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956): Martin Luther King Jr. emerged as a
leader during the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a successful protest against
racial segregation on public transportation in Montgomery, Alabama.
 Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC): In 1957, King, along
with other civil rights leaders, founded the Southern Christian Leadership
Conference (SCLC). The SCLC played a crucial role in organizing and
coordinating civil rights activities, promoting nonviolent protest as a means
of achieving social and political change.
 Civil Rights Act of 1964: King's efforts and the collective work of the civil
rights movement contributed significantly to the passing of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964.
March on Washington (1963): King played a central role in organizing the
March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963. During this
historic event, King delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, advocating
for racial harmony and equality.
Nobel Peace Prize (1964): In recognition of his commitment to nonviolent
struggle for civil rights, Martin Luther King Jr. was awarded the Nobel Peace
Prize in 1964. He remains the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for
his leadership in the American civil rights movement.
Voting Rights Act of 1965: King and other civil rights activists played a crucial
role in advocating for the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Key figures in the CRM -
Malcolm X
 A prominent African American civil rights
leader and a key figure in the Nation of
Islam (NOI) during the 1950s and 1960s.
 Articulated concepts of race pride and
Black nationalism in the early 1960s.
MLK Vs Malcolm X
Advocacy for Black Empowerment: Malcolm X was a prominent spokesperson
for the Nation of Islam, a black nationalist and religious organization. He
advocated for black empowerment, self-determination, and self-defense.
Unlike the nonviolent approach of some other Civil Rights leaders, Malcolm X
emphasized the right of black Americans to defend themselves against racial
violence.
Challenge to Integrationist Ideas: While leaders like Martin Luther King Jr.
focused on integration and collaboration with white Americans, Malcolm X
questioned the sincerity of the integrationist approach. He argued that
African Americans should focus on building their own economic and political
strength rather than seeking integration into a society that had historically
oppressed them.