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Key Questions

Why was progress to equal civil rights so slow?• Civil Rights was the campaign for black Americans to have the same

rights as whites.• It was slow because of resistance by whites, especially in the southern states.• Southern whites were opposed to civil rights because of the history of slavery.• If you were a poor white, the negro was always inferior to you.• Civil Rights reforms threatened the southern way of life, based on segregation.• It took great bravery to challenge segregation.• laws might be passed, but it took longer to change attitudes.

Did violent protest hold back civil rights progress?•There is firm evidence that Martin Luther King’s peaceful protest was very effective.• It embarrassed the Federal Government in Washington into ending segregation.• By the 1970s progress had been too slow in solving poverty, money was spent in Vietnam.• The 1970s saw the emergence of a militant Black Power movement.• The sight of black activists threatening violent protest scared many whites from reform.

From Civil Rights to Black Power

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Page 81 – 82 Notes• Segregation meant that black Americans in the southern states had separate schools,

movie theatres, lunch counters, libraries, wash rooms and buses.• Segregation denied black Americans equal rights, including the right to vote.• Voting would have given black Americans the power to end segregation.• Segregation was illegal, but the law was not enforced in the South.• President Kennedy had promised reforms, but had done little, because of opposition from

Southern Democrats.• Dr. Martin Luther King organised a massive campaign of non-violent protest to

desegregate public facilities.• The 1963 Birmingham Alabama protests made international headlines because of the

brutality of the Police.• August 1963, MLK organises the March on Washington. “I have a dream” speech / video.• JFK organises tough new Civil Rights legislation, passed after his death.

•Make a copy of Source D: Anti-Discrimination Laws, from page 82.

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Page 83 Notes

Malcolm X and Black Power• Malcolm X was a Muslim. He gave up his christian / slave name.• He wanted Black Americans to be more militant in demanding change.• He campaigned for the Nation of Islam, a separate USA for Blacks.• He wanted to confront racism and, if necessary, meet violence with violence.• 1965, 50% of blacks in the northern states lived in poverty, many in city ghettos.• 1967, 33% of black families lived below the poverty line.• “Black Power” slogan emerged in 1966 – idea that Blacks should control their own • communities.• Many Black Power supporters carried guns, which frightened white supporters of reform.

Riots against Racism• 1960s riots in many urban areas, caused by continued poverty. President Johnson was

spending money on the Vietnam War and Blacks fed up with waiting and being mistreated.• 1965 Watts, Los Angeles. 34 killed, hundreds injures, 4,000 arrested.• 1967 worse riots in US history. 83 shot dead. Newark and Detroit looted and burned.• Government report blames poverty and white racism.

From Civil Rights to Black Power

Malcolm X

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Page 87– 88 Notes

The Assassination of Marin Luther King

MLK continued to insist on the use of non-violent methods.

Criticised US involvement in Vietnam, saying the money should

have been spent on ending poverty in the USA.

FBI investigated him and tapped his phone.

1968 JFK travelled to Memphis to support a strike by black

refuse collectors.

Shot on balcony of Lorraine Motel by James Earl Ray.

Many believed there had been a white conspiracy.

White Backlash

1969 survey, 73% of whites blamed Blacks for their own poverty,

75% opposed to racially mixed schools.

Riots and protests provoked white anger.

MLK successful in achieving many reforms, Black Power was less helpful.

Black power gave Blacks pride in their heritage and confidence.

From Civil Rights to Black Power

The assassination of MLK