Civil rights in the USA flashcards

Civil rights in the USA covers the long struggle by African Americans and other groups to achieve legal and social equality, particularly from the 1950s to the 1960s. Students must understand the role of key figures such as Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X, landmark legislation including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the significance of events like the Montgomery Bus Boycott, sit-ins, and Freedom Rides. It is equally important to assess the limitations of progress, the role of federal and state government, divisions within the movement over tactics and goals, and the broader context of Cold War pressures that influenced American policy on race.

1. Card 1

   What was the significance of the Brown v Board of Education ruling in 1954?

   The Supreme Court declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, overturning the 'separate but equal' doctrine established by Plessy v Ferguson in 1896.

2. Card 2

   What was the Montgomery Bus Boycott and why did it matter?

   A 381-day protest against segregated buses in Alabama, sparked by Rosa Parks. It demonstrated the power of non-violent direct action and launched King's national prominence.

3. Card 3

   What did the Civil Rights Act of 1964 achieve?

   It outlawed discrimination based on race, colour, religion, sex, or national origin in employment and public places, marking a major legal victory for the civil rights movement.

4. Card 4

   How did the Voting Rights Act of 1965 differ from earlier civil rights legislation?

   It specifically targeted voter suppression tactics such as literacy tests, directly protecting African Americans' right to vote rather than addressing broader segregation.

5. Card 5

   What was SNCC and what role did it play in the civil rights movement?

   The Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee organised grassroots protests including sit-ins and voter registration drives, often taking more radical stances than the SCLC.

6. Card 6

   How did Malcolm X's approach to civil rights differ from Martin Luther King Jr's?

   Malcolm X advocated Black nationalism and self-defence rather than integration and non-violence, reflecting the influence of the Nation of Islam on more militant activism.

7. Card 7

   What were the Freedom Rides of 1961?

   Interracial groups rode interstate buses to challenge segregation in bus terminals. Violent attacks on riders forced the federal government to enforce desegregation rulings.

8. Card 8

   Why is the March on Washington in 1963 historically significant?

   Over 250,000 people gathered to demand civil rights legislation, and King delivered his 'I Have a Dream' speech, increasing pressure on Congress and President Kennedy.

9. Card 9

   What was the significance of the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965?

   Televised police violence on Bloody Sunday shocked the nation and built public support for the Voting Rights Act, demonstrating how media coverage shaped political outcomes.

10. Card 10

    What was the Black Power movement and how did it challenge earlier civil rights goals?

    Black Power emphasised racial pride, self-determination, and economic independence, moving away from integration and non-violence towards a more confrontational identity politics.

11. Card 11

    How did the Cold War context influence US civil rights policy?

    The USA's global image as a democracy was undermined by racial inequality, so presidents faced pressure to act on civil rights to counter Soviet propaganda and win support abroad.

12. Card 12

    What were the limitations of the Civil Rights Acts in improving African American lives?

    Legal change did not end de facto segregation, poverty, or police brutality. Northern urban inequality and economic exclusion remained largely unaddressed by the legislation.

• Students often assume the Civil Rights Act of 1964 solved racial inequality, ignoring persistent de facto segregation and economic disadvantage that legislation alone could not remove.
• Many students treat the civil rights movement as unified, overlooking significant tensions between groups like the SCLC and SNCC over tactics, goals, and leadership.
• Confusing de jure segregation (legal) with de facto segregation (social practice) leads students to overestimate how much court rulings changed everyday life for African Americans.

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