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Plessy v. Ferguson
Plessy v. Ferguson was a U.S. supreme court case that upheld racial segregation under the “separate but equal” doctrine. The ruling stemmed from Homer Plessy’s arrest for sitting in “whites-only” train car in Louisiana. It legalized segregation for decades. -
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Civil rights timeline
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Legislative and political backlash in southern states
In 1924, southern states sent backlash with Jim Crow laws and voter suppression to maintain racial segregation and to disenfranchise African Americans resisting federal civil rights efforts. -
School segregation
School segregation is the separation of students in educational institutions based on race. This was originally enforced under Jim Crow laws and got really bad in the 19th century up until Brown v. Board of education which ruled school segregation unconstitutional. -
Brown vs Board of education
The Supreme Court ruled that separating children is schools biased on the color of their skin or race was unconstitutional, and ruled it out so the students of all races learned together. -
Montgomery bus boycott
The Montgomery bus boycott started after Rosa Parks’ arrest, with African Americans in Montgomery Alabama refusing to ride segregated buses until segregation was ruled unconstitutional. They were led by Martin Luther King. A powerful quote by Rosa Parks is “ You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right” -
Ending legacy of the southern manifesto and school integration
The southern manifesto was a declaration by southern politicians opposing school integration after brown v. board of education. It fueled resistance and delays. Despite this, federal actions and activism gradually advanced desegregation. -
Ending legacy of the southern manifesto
The southern manifesto opposed racial integration, but its legacy ended through civil rights activism and laws like the civil rights act of 1964 or the voting rights act of 1965 which dismantled segregation. -
Little Rock 9
The Little Rock 9 were nine colored students who integrated Central high school in Little Rock Arkansas. They faced violent resistance and were escorted by federal troops under president Eisenhower’s orders, while they fought for school desegregation -
White supremacy violence and intimidation
White supremacy violence and intimidation refers to the acts of aggression and threats by individuals like the KKK and other groups supporting white supremacy, targeting racial and ethnic minorities to show dominance and give fear. This can include physical violence or hate crimes. -
Sit-ins
Sit-ins were nonviolent protests during the civil rights movements where African Americans would sit at lunch counters in segregated places to fight segregation. They would most likely be faced with violent resistance, such as having food thrown at them, or getting beaten. For example: the Greensboro sit-ins. YouTube -
Freedom rides
Freedom rides were civil rights protests where interracial groups rode buses through segregated south to fight against unconstitutional segregation. They where faced with violence, but these rides led to federal enforcement of desegregation in interstate travel. -
Birmingham campaign
The Birmingham campaign was the civil rights movement led by MLK jr. to protest segregation in Alabama. This involved marches and boycotts, faced with violent police response. The campaign succeeded in pressuring the government to advance civil rights, leading to the civil rights act of 1964 -
March on Washington
The March on Washington for jobs and freedom was a famous civil rights movement in Washington D.C. organized by civil rights leaders including MLK. Over 250,000 people came to advocate for racial equality. It is also well known because of Kings “I have a dream” speech. YouTube -
Bombing of the 16th street Baptist church
The 16th Street Baptist Church bombing occurred in Birmingham, Alabama when KKK members planted a bomb at the church, a key civil rights meeting place. The explosion killed four young black girls- Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson and Denise McNair- and injured many others. The attack shocked the nation and helped fuel support for civil rights movements. -
Freedom summer
Freedom Summer was a civil rights campaign in Mississippi to register black voters and challenge segregation. It was organized by groups like SNCC. It faced violent resistance, including the murder of three activists. It drew national attention helping lead to the voting rights act of 1965. -
Civil rights act of 1964
The civil rights act of 1964 is a landmark U.S. law that banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin. It also prohibited segregation in public schools. It was signed by president Lyndon B. Johnson. It was a huge victory of the civil rights movement. -
Watts Riots
The Watts Riots were a six day uprising in L.A. sparked by the arrest of a colored motorist, police brutality and racial tensions. It resulted in 34 deaths and over 1,000 injuries, as well as a lot of property damage. It highlighted the issues of racial inequality. -
Selma-Montgomery March
The Selma to Montgomery March was a series of civil rights protests in March of 1965. The demanded voting rights for black Americans. Led by MLK and other activists, marchers faced violent resistance, including Bloody Sunday on March 7, where police brutally attacked demonstrators. -
Voting acts right of 1965
The voting rights act of 1965 banned racial discrimination in voting, eliminating barriers like literacy tests and enabling federal oversight. It was signed by president Lyndon B. Johnson. It increased minority voter numbers. -
Assassination of Malcom X
Malcom X was assassinated in New York while giving a speech at the Audubon Ballroom. He was shot multiple times by three gunman, believed to be members of the Nation of Islam, a group he had split from. His death was a huge loss in the civil rights movement and his legacy continued to influence activism even today. A famous quote Malcom X said before his passing showed the importance of fighting for civil rights “ A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.” -
Local state resistance to federal civil rights enforcement
In 1968, many southern states resisted federal civil rights efforts, blocking desegregation and voting rights through violence and legal challenges. -
Assassination of Martin Luther King
MLK was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee while supporting a sanitation workers strike. He was shot on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel by James Earl Ray. His death sparked nationwide riots and mourning, further fueling the civil rights movements. -
Fair Housing Act
The Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibited discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, or family status. It was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson aiming to end segregation in housing and equal access to housing opportunities. -
Formation of congressional black caucus
The congressional black caucus was founded by thirteen African American members of the U.S. House of Representatives. It was established to advocate for the interests of Black Americans and marginalized communities in congress focusing on civil rights -
Equal employment opportunity act
The equal employment opportunity act of 1972 gave EEOC power to sue employers for workplace discrimination and expanded protections to government and education. -
Equal credit opportunity act
The equal credit opportunity act (ECOA) of 1974 is the U.S. law that prohibits discrimination in credit lending based on origin, marital status, sex, or age. It requires lenders to provide specific reasons if credit is denied. -
Civil rights act of 1982
The civil rights act of 1982 strengthened protections against racial discrimination in voting, extended the voting rights act of 1965, and made it easier to challenge discriminatory practices. -
Martin Luther King Jr. holiday act
The MLK holiday act established Martin Luther King Jr. day as a federal holiday in the U.S. It was signed into law by Ronald Reagan and officially observed for the holiday honors and civil rights efforts. -
Civil rights restoration act of 1987
The civil rights restoration act of 1987 required that all operations of federally funded organizations work with civil rights laws, overturning the Supreme Court ruling that limited this. -
Americans with disabilities act
The Americans with disabilities act of 1990 was a landmark civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all aspects, like employment and education. It ensures equal opportunity and accessibility by requiring removal of barriers. -
Rodney King Riots
The Rodney King Riots, also known as the 1992 Los Angeles riots, erupted after four LAPD officers were acquitted for brutally beating Rodney King, a black motorist, despite video evidence. It sparked six days of unrest, looting, fires and police clashes, resulting in over 60 deaths and extensive damage.