American Civil Rights Movement Lesson: Causes & Key Events

Lesson Overview

• The Origins of the Civil Rights Movement
• Timeline of Key Events (1947–1968)
• What Are the Causes of the American Civil Rights Movement?
• Major Events and Key Figures

This lesson explores the causes and major events of the American Civil Rights Movement, focusing on the fight for racial equality in the 1950s and 1960s. Students will analyze the historical roots of segregation, discrimination, and voter suppression that led to widespread activism. The lesson highlights key moments such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The Origins of the Civil Rights Movement

Segregation laws, known as Jim Crow laws, enforced racial separation in schools, transportation, and public places. The 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court ruling upheld segregation, stating that "separate but equal" facilities were legal. This ruling remained in effect until the mid-20th century, prompting civil rights activists to challenge racial discrimination through legal action and grassroots organizing.

Timeline of Key Events (1947–1968)

POV: You Just Slayed This Quiz. Click to Start!

Civil Rights Movement Quiz

What Are the Causes of the American Civil Rights Movement?

Here are the key causes that led to the movement:

1. Racial Segregation and Jim Crow Laws

• Southern states enforced Jim Crow laws, which legalized racial segregation in schools, transportation, and public facilities.
• "Separate but equal" policies from Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) upheld segregation, denying African Americans equal opportunities.

2. Disenfranchisement and Voter Suppression

• African Americans faced literacy tests, poll taxes, and intimidation that prevented them from voting.
• Despite the 15th Amendment (1870) granting Black men the right to vote, many were systematically excluded from elections, especially in the South.

3. Economic and Employment Discrimination

• African Americans were denied equal job opportunities and wages, limiting economic mobility.
• Many Black workers were confined to low-paying, labor-intensive jobs with little chance for advancement.

4. Racial Violence and Lynchings

• The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) and other white supremacist groups used violence, lynchings, and terror to oppress Black communities.
• High-profile murders, such as that of Emmett Till (1955), sparked national outrage and increased calls for justice.

5. World War II and African American Service

• African Americans fought in World War II, yet returned home to racial discrimination and segregation.
• The contradiction of fighting for freedom abroad while being denied rights at home led to increased activism.

6. Growing Legal Challenges Against Segregation

• The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) fought segregation in courts.
• Brown v. Board of Education (1954) ruled that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, challenging Jim Crow laws.

7. Influence of Civil Rights Leaders and Activists

• Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, and Thurgood Marshall inspired change through protests, legal action, and speeches.
• The Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955–56), led by Rosa Parks and MLK, set the stage for mass civil rights activism.

8. Media Exposure and Public Awareness

• Television and newspapers brought national attention to racial injustices, especially violent responses to peaceful protests.
• Images of police brutality in Birmingham (1963) and the Selma March (1965) shocked Americans and pushed for legislative change.

9. Cold War Pressure on the U.S. Government

• The U.S. faced criticism for racial discrimination while promoting democracy abroad, leading to government action on civil rights.

10. Support from the Federal Government

• Presidents like Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon B. Johnson supported civil rights initiatives, leading to key legislation such as:
  • Civil Rights Act of 1964 (ended segregation and job discrimination)
  • Voting Rights Act of 1965 (banned voter suppression tactics)

Major Events and Key Figures

Here are a few major events and key figures of this movement:

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

The Supreme Court's ruling in Brown v. Board of Education declared school segregation unconstitutional. This decision overturned Plessy v. Ferguson and led to nationwide efforts to integrate schools. Many Southern states resisted, delaying school desegregation despite the ruling.

Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955–1956)

Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama. Her arrest sparked a boycott of the city's bus system, which lasted 381 days. The boycott ended when the Supreme Court ruled that bus segregation was unconstitutional. Martin Luther King Jr. emerged as a leader during this protest.

Little Rock Nine and School Integration (1957)

In Little Rock, Arkansas, nine Black students attempted to integrate Central High School. The Arkansas governor used the National Guard to block them, but President Dwight Eisenhower sent federal troops to escort the students. This event was one of the first major tests of school desegregation.

Sit-Ins and SNCC (1960)

Black college students staged sit-ins at segregated lunch counters, demanding equal service. This protest movement spread across the South, leading to the formation of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Young activists played a central role in organizing protests and voter registration drives.

Freedom Rides (1961)

The Supreme Court had ruled that segregation in interstate travel was illegal, but Southern states ignored the ruling. Freedom Riders, both Black and white, boarded buses to challenge segregated bus terminals. Riders faced violent attacks, but their protests led to federal enforcement of desegregation laws.

Birmingham and the March on Washington (1963)

Civil rights leaders targeted Birmingham, Alabama, where police used fire hoses and dogs against peaceful protesters. The violence shocked the nation and increased support for civil rights legislation. Later that year, over 250,000 people gathered in Washington, D.C., for the March on Washington. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech, calling for racial equality.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which banned segregation in public places and prohibited workplace discrimination based on race or gender. This law was one of the movement's greatest victories.

Selma to Montgomery March and the Voting Rights Act (1965)

Civil rights activists marched from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, to protest voting discrimination. Police violently attacked the marchers in an event known as "Bloody Sunday". National outrage led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which banned literacy tests and other barriers that prevented Black citizens from voting.

Black Power and the Rise of New Activism (1966–1968)

By the mid-1960s, some activists felt that nonviolent protest was not enough. Stokely Carmichael popularized the slogan "Black Power", emphasizing racial pride and self-sufficiency. The Black Panther Party, founded in 1966, advocated for community programs and self-defense.

Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (1968)

On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. His death led to nationwide riots and marked the end of the movement's most active period. Congress passed the Fair Housing Act of 1968, prohibiting racial discrimination in housing.

Lowkey Genius? Take This Quiz and Flex Your Score!

Cont. American History Civil Right Notes Quiz