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Timeline of Civil Rights
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Brown V Board of Education
The infamous case of Brown V Board ruled that racial segregation in public schools was illegal. Rejecting the ideal of "separate but equal" as it was inherently unequal. The ruling of this case is significant as it changed segregation laws, by challenging them.. Thus marking the way towards equal rights for blacks. This event is considered as self defense, defending their own rights given to them in the law. -
Arrest of Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks was arrested after refusing to adhere to Jim Crow laws that stated all Blacks must sit in the back of the bus. Her act of civil disobedience sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, leading to the desegregation of public transportation. Her arrest became a symbol of defiance and amplified the fight for civil rights for African Americans. -
Approval of Birth Control
When the FDA approved the use of commercially produced birth control, it gave women autonomy over their bodies. The approval of birth control was critical to the feminism movement as it gave women the choice about other life areas. It gave them the opportunity to pursue careers, and broke the traditional stereotype of women being mothers. This can be considered an act of self defense to some extent. -
Creation of the United Farm Workers Union
The United Farm Workers Union, or the UFW was created by prominent activists of the Chicano Movement to advocate for higher wages and better working conditions of farmers. How the UFW defended the rights of farmworkers was deeply rooted in Chicano culture. The creation of this union greatly galvanized the Chicano movement. -
Equal Pay Act
Signed into law by John F. Kennedy, the Equal Pay Act prohibited wage discrimination based on the gender of two workers who have the same job. The impacts of this event would help pave the way towards equal rights for women. It wasn't the most impactful as it didn't target the root of the issue, but still remained helpful to the feminism movement. This event can be considered self defense, women defending their right to be paid equal. -
March on Washington
Over 250,000 people marched to the Lincoln Memorial to advocate for the civil and economic rights of African-Americans. Aiming to sway the Kennedy Administration to support civil rights legislation. This act of civil disobedience would be a major turning point in the civil rights movement for African-Americans. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Noted as a landmark piece of legislation in history that outlawed any kind of discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and origin. Specifically it prohibited discrimination in employment, voting, and access to public accommodations. This act proved impactful, changing the rights of all oppressed groups forever. -
Selma to Montgomery March
The Selma to Montgomery March was an act of civil disobedience to attempt to register black voters in the South. The March was significant to the African American Civil Rights Movement as it brought awareness to the difficulties black voters faced, a turning point of the movement. It called for the need of a National Voting Act. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Signed into law by President Johnson, the act took the Civil Rights Act further. Helping African Americans to overcome legal barriers that prevented them from voting. It aimed to allow African Americans to exercise their right to vote without discrimination, banning things like literacy tests. Which is why it's significant to the African American Civil Rights Movement, being the most far reaching pieces of civil rights legislation in the US. -
Cuban Adjustment Act
Granted work authorization and permanent residency to any Cuban residing in America. It aimed to provide asylum to Cubans escaping from a then diplomatic Cuba. With the influx of Cubans immigrating to America, the act would prove significant in demonstrating the need for greater civil rights protections for all Hispanic-Americans. -
East Los Angeles Walkouts
An act of civil disobedience performed by Hispanic-Americans, protesting discrepancies in the education system. Such as teachers prohibiting Spanish in classrooms, and giving Hispanic students educational curriculum meant to help students with mental disabilities. These walkouts demonstrated a call to action for civil rights and access to education for Latino youth in the city. -
Indian Civil Rights Act
This act extended constitutional protections to American Indians within their tribal governments. It ensures that American Indians are not subjected to unjust and harmful treatments in their tribal governments. This impacted the Native American Civil Rights Movement by explicitly recognizing their rights. -
Enactment of Title IX
The enactment of Title IX by President Nixon declared that no person in the US shall be excluded or denied from government funded education based on sex. This event was significant to the Feminist movement as it finally ensured them a right to an education. -
Wounded Knee Operation
The Wounded Knee Operation refers to the occupation of a town in South Dakota by AIM activists and the Oglala Lakota people. The operation, an act of civil disobedience, aimed to protest a tribe's chairman administration and the government's disregard for Native American treaties. The operation demonstrated the growing strength of the Native American Civil Rights Movement and strengthened the fight for Native American rights. -
Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act
Passed by Congress, the act aimed to provide recognition and funds to Indian Tribes. This demonstrated a large charge compared to past laws where Indian tribes were disbanded, and forced them off reservations. The act was significant to the Native American Civil Rights Movement as it empowered them with greater autonomy and control over their own affairs.