Government ResponseSection 17.3

Lets Review:Plessy v. FergusonBrown v. Board of EducationThurgood MarshallLittle Rock NineRosa ParksMontgomery Bus BoycottSit-InsJail, Not Bail

S.N.C.C.Capture from Peter Jennings on SNCC

Describe JFKs dilemma regarding civil rights in the 1960 Presidential election. How did he deal with it?Needed both the black vote in North and segregationist vote in SouthChose LBJ (Texas) as VPEndorsed sit-insPromised to sponsor civil rights billUsed influence to get MLK released from prisonBelow: John F. Kennedy in 1960

Describe Kennedys Civil Rights policy as President:Mixed at bestFailed to back civil rights billWould have required desegregation by 63Did little to enfranchise blacksMade symbolic (token) gesturesInvited African Americans to White HouseAppointed a number to his administrationBelow: JFK meets with MLK

Who were the Freedom Riders and what was their mission?Interracial bus passengers who wanted to test Supreme Court ruling which called for integrating bus stationsRiders were attacked, bus firebombedInterstate Commerce Commission called for desegregation Sept 1961Real purpose was to force JFK to take a stand!!Below: Map of freedom rides through South; bottom: burning Greyhound bus

Capture from clip on racism and segregationBlack Americans remember racism they experienced decades before

What was the Voter Education Project?Group started by RFK to get blacks registered to voteMembers of SNCC helped African Americans fill out lengthy forms and accompanied them to registration officeMost still unable to registerAltered registration date, spelling mistake, administer impossible test, flunk because they did or did not fill in Mr. or Mrs.Churches (used to register) were firebombedAbove: SNCC button; below: MLK with Robert Kennedy

Why is Birmingham, Alabama significant to the Civil Rights movement?Extreme segregationism swung U.S. public opinion towards King and the Civil Rights MovementParks, playgrounds, public pools, etc. were closed by officials rather than integrate themMLK led series of demonstrations which included children as young as six!Brutally put down by Police Chief Bull Connor (dogs, fire hoses)Letter from Birmingham Jail (1963)Answered white ministers who said he was pushing too far too fastJustice too long delayed is justice denied.Thousands upon thousands joined movement Above: Bull Connor; below: MLK in jail

Bull Connors BirminghamCapture from clip on Birmingham

What was the March on Washington (8/28/63)?Massive Civil Rights demonstration that called for the passage of the Civil Rights ActHigh tide of movementWhat does this phrase imply?Featured MLKs I have a Dream speechMore than 200,000 strongAbove: D.C. Mall is packed to hear King

March on Washington RememberedCapture from clip on the March to DC and Kings speech

What is the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and why did LBJ have trouble getting it passed in Congress?Law which ended segregation in US and allowed federal government to prosecute violatorsSouthern Senators planned filibusterSenate technique of blocking passage of bill by delaying voteEnded when Illinois senator supported LBJNo army can withstand the strength of an idea whose time has come.Above: LBJ signs Civil Rights Act; below: LBJ and JFK

Describe the significance of Selma, Alabama of March 7, 9, 1965.Planned march to Montgomery, Al. to demand enforcement of 15th AmendmentBrutally halted by Sheriff Jim Clark at Edmund Pettus Bridge100 state troopers used tear gas, clubs to keep marchers from entering Selma MLK led 2nd march but turned back on bridgeLed to passage of Voting Rights Act (1965)Ended literacy and other requirements for voting

The Selma March of 1965 and George Corley WallaceCapture from clip on Selma march