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Executive order 9981
President Harry S. Truman issues the executive order 9981 to end segregation in the armed forces. Leading to a waterfall effect which led to the uprising of major civil rights leaders and movements that would eventually change the course of history. “There shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin.”
Harry S. Truman -
Brown v. Board of Education
Was a consolidation of five cases into one, is decided by the Supreme Court. Effectively ending racial segregation in public schools. This was a landmark decision in the history of civil rights, opening up more opportunities for everyone colored or white, child or adult. “We conclude that in the feild of education, the doctrine “separate but equal” has no place.”
Chief justice Earl Warren -
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks a member of the Montgomery bus boycott refuses to give up her seat to a white man despite oppression, after being released from prison her defiant stance prompts a year long bus boycott protesting the inequality being imposed on colored men and women solely based on the fact that their skin was a different color than theirs. “I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free so other people would also be free”
Rosa Parks- -
“Little Rock Nine”
Nine black students known as the “Little Rock nine” are blocked from integrating into Little Rock central high school, in Little Rock Arkansas. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, eventually sends troops to escort the students, although they continue to be harassed. “The humiliating expectations and traditions of segregation creep over you, slowly stealing a teaspoonful of your self-esteem each day.”
Melba Patillo- little rock nine -
Civil Rights act of 1957
President Eisenhower signs the Civil Rights act of 1957 into law to help protect voters rights. The law allows federal prosecution to those who suppress another voters rights. “I look forward confidently to the day when all who work for a living will be one with no thought to their separateness.”
Dr Martin Luther King Jr- -
Unemployment rates for African Americans
Unemployment rates were unfortunately higher for blacks in the 1960s than they were for whites mostly because of the superficial oppression that white Americans imposed on them. As you see on the graph the numbers for both seem to fluctuate although the American side only rising at it’s highest to 8.4% and the African American side to 19.5% -
Map of African American Civil rights locations
This map refers to the areas that African American leaders and protesters fought for their rights and liberties. -
Court ruling importance in civil rights
Court rulings were a very important part of the civil rights movement some of these include: Brown v. Board of Education, Browder v. Gayle, Loving v. Virginia. All of these collectively had an very strong imprint on the African American community, challenging the way people thought about racial equality. -
Important protests
Protests were one of the primary forms of resistance and rebellion against the white regime of power over African Americans, protests were almost vital in proving to the federal government that they were also human beings and were entitled to the rights and liberties the average white American was given. Some of the important protests were: The Montgomery Bus Boycott, and the Selma to Montgomery march. -
Social change a cry for equality
Social change in the movement helped shape a more fair and balanced society for African Americans to live in this was done by the dismantling of segregation on a federal level, significantly increasing voter registration. And paving the way for greater racial equality in public accommodations, employment, education and housing. -
Most significant events in civil rights history
Civil rights has been the long and tumultuous battle towards equality for all, and in that battle there have been many losses but also many gains. Some of those include the March on Washington and the Montgomery bus boycott. -
Landmark laws implemented, during the civil rights movement
Laws were almost the detrimental factor in determining the outcome of the civil rights movement it first off illuminated the fact that the federal government was finally taking steps toward equality for all. And also cemented hope and belief in the hearts of African Americans that change was on the horizon. Some examples of laws include” the civil rights act of 1964, and the voting Rights act of 1965. -
Economic change in the civil rights movement
The civil rights movement had a strong economic impact as well with increased employment opportunities becoming more available, higher wages and a narrowing of the racial gap in income. Although today there is still an issue with equal employment for African Americans. -
Greensboro sit-in
Four African American college students in Greensboro, North Carolina refuse to leave a Woolworth’s “whites only” lunch counter without being served. The Greensboro Four—Ezell Blair Jr., David Richmond, Franklin McCain and Joseph McNeil—were inspired by the nonviolent protest of Gandhi. The Greensboro Sit-In, as it came to be called, sparks similar “sit-ins” throughout the city and in other states. “Adults have been complacent and fearful. It is time to wake up and change the situation” -
First colored student to integrate into elementary school.
Six-year-old Ruby Bridges is escorted by four armed federal marshals as she becomes the first student to integrate William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans. This leads to fact that there was a lot of advancement by the federal government to create change and order in the communities of both whites and blacks. “Racism is a grown-up disease. Let’s stop using kids to spread it.” Ruby Bridges- -
Voting influx for African Americans in 1963-1964
From the year 1663-1964, African Americans had expressed their needs for employment and voting rights. -
“Children’s crusade”
More than 1,000 black school children marched through the Birmingham, Alabama in a demonstration against segregation. The goal of the non violent march was to provoke the city’s leaders to desegregate. Although the police were restrained the first day, that did not continue. Eventually an agreement was settled upon to desegregate Lunch counters and other public facilities. This was a very important moment because it opened up more opportunities for the African American community. -
Fair Housing act
President Lyndon b Johnson signs the civil rights act of 1968, also known as the fair Housing Act providing equal housing opportunity regardless of race, religion or national origin. “Fair housing for all, all human beings, is now a part of the American way of life” Lyndon B. Johnson -
Dr. MLK jrs assasination
Martin Luther King junior was assasinated on the balcony of his hotel room in Memphis Tennessee. This marked the end of a very powerful and important period in the civil rights movement. MLK had been a very important stepping stone in equality and justice for all, regardless of skin color or race. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Martin Luther King Junior- -
Present day challenges and successes
Although there have been many successes and victories in the fight for equality for all. There still is a strong amount of inequality that remains, including the failure of the federal government to properly implement laws against racism and discrimination. And also the widening economic gap between whites and blacks. .But this has not stopped African Americans from advocating for themselves and tapping into the roots of their culture that is so very important to the history of the U.S.A