Civil Rights - 6th Grade

Malcolm X believed that some violence was acceptable in order to achieve civil rights for African Americans. He argued that if African Americans were not being treated with respect, they did not have to treat white people with respect.

After John F. Kennedy was assassinated, Lyndon B. Johnson became the President of the United States. Johnson served as the Vice President under Kennedy and assumed the presidency following Kennedy's death on November 22, 1963. Johnson played a crucial role in passing significant legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. His presidency was marked by the escalation of the Vietnam War and the implementation of his domestic policy agenda known as the "Great Society."

Thurgood Marshall represented the African American side and tried to end segregation in the Brown vs the Board of Education when it went to the Supreme Court. Thurgood Marshall was a prominent civil rights lawyer and the first African American to serve as a Supreme Court Justice. He played a crucial role in the landmark case, arguing that racial segregation in public schools violated the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause. His efforts ultimately led to the Court's unanimous decision declaring segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

Civil disobedience refers to the act of intentionally disobeying laws or regulations as a form of protest or resistance, while still maintaining a non-violent approach. It is a way for people to express their disagreement or dissatisfaction with certain laws or policies without resorting to violence. This tactic has been used throughout history by individuals and groups advocating for social and political change, such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. Civil disobedience is a peaceful means of expressing dissent and challenging unjust laws or practices.

Eugene "Bull" Conner was the police chief in Birmingham when children and adults were beaten and jailed for their non-violent protests. He was known for his aggressive and violent tactics against civil rights activists, using police dogs, fire hoses, and physical force to suppress the protests. Conner's actions during this time were widely criticized and brought national attention to the civil rights movement.

Linda Brown was the child from Topeka, Kansas who had to walk far to go to school because of segregation. This refers to the landmark Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education, where Linda Brown's father challenged the segregation policy in schools. The court ruled in favor of Linda Brown, stating that segregated schools were unconstitutional.

The correct answer is Voting Rights Act. The Voting Rights Act was signed by Lyndon B. Johnson and aimed to eliminate discriminatory voting practices, such as poll taxes and literacy tests, that were used to prevent African Americans from voting in the southern states. This act was a significant milestone in the civil rights movement as it provided federal protection for voting rights and helped to increase African American voter registration and participation in elections.

J. Edgar Hoover is the correct answer because he was the director of the FBI from 1924 until his death in 1972. He had a strong dislike for Martin Luther King Jr. and was known to have illegally wiretapped his phone and spread false information about him in the media. Hoover's actions were part of the FBI's COINTELPRO program, which aimed to discredit and disrupt civil rights activists.

The Black Power Movement was a social and political movement that emphasized racial pride. It aimed to address racial oppression and establish social institutions and a self-sufficient economy within the black community. The movement sought to empower black individuals and promote their rights and equality.

Homer Plessy was arrested in Louisiana for sitting in the white only railroad car. This incident took place in 1892 and led to the landmark Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896. Plessy, who was of mixed race, intentionally violated the state's segregation laws to challenge their constitutionality. The Supreme Court's ruling in this case established the "separate but equal" doctrine, which allowed racial segregation to continue legally for several decades. Plessy's arrest and subsequent legal battle played a significant role in the civil rights movement.

James Earl Ray is the correct answer because he was convicted for the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968. Ray was a fugitive who evaded capture for over a year before being apprehended in London. He pleaded guilty to the crime and was sentenced to 99 years in prison. The evidence against Ray included a rifle found near the crime scene with his fingerprints on it, as well as eyewitness testimonies placing him in the area at the time of the assassination.

John W. Davis was on the side of the Board of Education in the case of Brown vs. Board of Education. He believed that the principle of "separate but equal" was fair. This refers to the legal doctrine that allowed racial segregation as long as the separate facilities were deemed equal in quality. Davis argued against desegregation and defended the Board of Education's position, advocating for the continuation of segregated schools.

Charles Hamilton Houston was the dean of Howard University who studied the Constitution and wanted African Americans to know their rights. He was a prominent civil rights attorney and played a significant role in dismantling segregation laws in the United States. Houston believed that African Americans should be educated about their constitutional rights in order to challenge and overturn discriminatory laws. He mentored and trained a generation of civil rights lawyers, including Thurgood Marshall, who later became the first African American Supreme Court Justice. Houston's efforts paved the way for landmark cases such as Brown v. Board of Education, which ended racial segregation in public schools.

Barbara Rose Johns was the student at Morton High School who advocated for the construction of new schools due to poor conditions. She highlighted issues such as overcrowding, lack of cafeteria and gym facilities, and underpaid teachers.

John Marshall Harlan was the one dissenting justice in the case of Plessy vs. Ferguson. This landmark case in 1896 upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine. However, Harlan dissented, arguing that the Constitution should be color-blind and that segregation violated the Fourteenth Amendment's guarantee of equal protection. Harlan's dissenting opinion in Plessy vs. Ferguson laid the foundation for future civil rights cases, and his views eventually became the majority opinion in the landmark case of Brown vs. Board of Education in 1954.

Rev. James Bevel recruited young children to march in Birmingham and have sit-ins.

Harry Briggs was the student whose parents fought Clarendon County for equal funding for black schools.

Earl Warren was the new chief justice in the Supreme Court who convinced all the justices to vote unanimously to put an end to separate but equal.