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Jim Crow Laws
Jim Crow Laws were state and local laws that enforced racial segregation in Southern States. These laws mandated separate public facilities, transportation and in schools. The laws fell under a moto called “separate but equal”. The laws restricted African Americans rights and upheld racism until the Civil Rights Movement later. -
Plessy v.s Ferguson
This U.S Supreme Court upheld racial segregation under “separate but equal”. This case rose when Plessy (a mixed man) challenged Louisianas segregation laws. The ruling ultimately legalized racial segregation. This led to African Americans feeling the backlash from not being able to live up to their goals with equality. -
Tulsa Massacre
The Tulsa Massacre was a violent attack that occurred in Oklahoma when a white mob destroyed a Black neighborhood in Greenwood. This was also known as Black Wall Street. 300 Black residents were killed and thousands lost their homes and jobs. -
Executive Order 9981
This executive order was issued by the President at the time, Harry Truman. The order desegregated the U.S military and this marked a major step toward racial equality in the military. It was a significant moment in the Civil Rights Movement that challenged racial discrimination. -
Brown v.s Board of Education
A U.S Supreme Court case that declared racial segregation in any public school unconstitutional. The ruling overturned Plessy v.s Ferguson and discontinued “separate but equal”. This helped push for the Civil Rights Movement. -
Emmett Till Murder
Emmett Till, a 14year old boy from Chicago was lynched in Mississippi for whistling at a white woman. His murders were acquitted, but his mother decided to have an open casket to expose the racism to the nation support the Civil Rights Movement. -
Montgomery Bus Boycott
The Montgomery Bus Boycott was a year long protest against racial segregation in the public transportation system in Montgomery Alabama. It was sparked by Rosa Parks arrest for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger. The boycott was led by MLK and resulted in the Supreme Court ruling that declared bus segregation unconstitutional. It was a significant victory for the Civil Rights Movement. -
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks is a Black woman that was arrested in Montgomery, Alabama because she refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger. Her defiance sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott which was a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement led by MLK. -
Little Rock Nine
The Little Rock Nine are nine Black students the attended Central High School in Arkansas following the Brown v. Board of Education. The students faced violent resistance from white mobs and even students. President Eisenhower sent federal troops to enforce desegregation. This marked a crucial test for federal authority over state segregation laws. -
Freedom Rides
The Freedom Riders were Civil Rights activists who rode interstate busses into the South. Their goal was to challenge non-enforcement of Supreme Court rulings that banned segregation in public transportation. They faced violent resistance but brought nation attention to the Civil Rights Movement. -
March on Washington
The March on Washington was one of the biggest civil rights demonstrations in U.S history. There were over 250,000 people that attended the event. This is where MLK performed his “I Have a Dream” speech that called for racial equality. The march built momentum for the passage for the Civil Rights Act in 1964. -
Civil Rights Act Passed
The Civil Rights Act in 1964 was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson outlawed discrimination that was based on race, color, religion and origin. It ended segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination. This marked a very big achievement for the Civil Rights Movement. -
Loving v. Virginia
The Supreme Court case took down laws that banned interracial marriage. This set a precedent for marriage equality and it reinforced the Fourteenth Amendments Equal Protection Clause. -
Miscegenation Laws
Miscegenation Laws were a state law in the U.S that prohibited interracial marriage and relationships that upheld white supremacy. These laws were upheld in many states until it was ruled unconstitutional in Loving v. Virginia. This marked a significant step toward racial equality. -
Assassination of MLK
MLK was the leader of the Civil Rights Movement, was assassinated in Memphis Tennessee. His death led to riots nationwide and made his legacy unforgettable. He challenged racial injustice and inspired many young activists.