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Analyze The Changes And Continuities Of The Civil Rights Movement

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In the United States, the Civil Rights Movement went through big changes from the 1950s to the 1960s. There were important legal wins and a rise in broader activism. During this time period, the presidency of John F. Kennedy was instrumental in navigating the complex landscape of development and resistance that was present inside the country. Community action and a number of significant court cases during the 1950s reinforced the basis for civil rights. One of the most significant victories of this era was the decision made by the Supreme Court in the case of Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. The court decided that the act of racial segregation in public schools violated the Constitution. Even with this decision, the road to real integration …show more content…

Montgomery's bus system was the target of a year-long boycott in response to this move, which eventually resulted in the desegregation of the bus transportation. The boycott was successful, and it also led to the creation of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), which Martin Luther King Jr. led. The influence of grassroots activity was strengthened when the Supreme Court ruled in Gayle et al. v. Browder that bus segregation was unconstitutional, therefore reinforcing this victory for equality. In addition, the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1957 and the Voting Rights Act of 1960 signified the beginning of a transition in the legislative environment. The purpose of these acts was to enhance the voting rights of African Americans; however, their effectiveness was hindered by insufficient enforcement and hostility from segregationists from the beginning. In the 1960s, there were bigger successes. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a turning point in the law. It ended legal segregation in public places and workplaces and made it illegal to treat people differently because of their race, color, gender, sex, or national …show more content…

In order to mobilize support from the public and plan large-scale protests, groups like the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and SCLC were essential. These movements were crucial in influencing public opinion and legislation, drawing attention to the injustices experienced by African Americans on a national scale. Kennedy's administration changed dramatically as a result of popular pressure and the intensity of racial tensions; originally, it was characterized by caution in addressing civil rights issues. Kennedy was cautious about offending southern political figures, but his position on civil rights became more firm as a result of the violent reactions to civil rights activities, such as what happened at the Universities of Mississippi and Alabama, and the widespread media coverage of these events. His idea for the complete Civil Rights Act was to change this. Even though it was passed after his death by President Lyndon B. Johnson, it was a big step forward in civil rights law. Even with the significant advancements in legislation and society during the 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement continued to face

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765 Words | 4 Pages

The Brown v. board of Education decision became a catalyst for the motivation during 50s and 60s for civil rights fight, and eventually led to a huge success, although the fights are rough and many lost lives to fighting for equality and opportunities in the society. It was not an easy time but this open had opened a new door for the people back then to see a way out; where it allowed people of colors to have an fair chance in the society and education in generally regardless of where they live or

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The year of 1965 the black community let out a collective victory cry. They had finally gotten the rights they fought hard for. They could at last vote, go to school and college, and got the working condition they deserve. They couldn 't have done it without Martin Luther King Jr., but there were a slew of cases that were tried and further assisted in opening the black community 's opportunity pool. They were well known cases, like the Plessy vs. Ferguson, Brown vs. Board of Education, and the Regents of the University vs. Bakke, all very influential cases in the fight for rights.

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The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, among other landmark legislation, were direct results of the activism and advocacy led by Dr. King and his contemporaries. These laws aimed to dismantle systemic racism and uphold the principles of the social contract by guaranteeing equal rights and protections for all citizens. However, it is important to acknowledge that Dr. King's work was not without challenges and opposition. He faced significant resistance, threats, and violence throughout his life.

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In Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court ruled that the racial segregation of public schools was unconstitutional, overruling the principle of separate but equal facilities that were established in Plessy v. Ferguson. The efforts of the civil rights movement also led to the eventual passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as discussed in Document 5. The Civil Rights Act was largely successful in the United States as it allowed equal access for African Americans to public facilities and prohibited the discrimination of African Americans and other minority groups. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was later passed which prohibited the racial discrimination in voting and picked up on the failed enforcement of the 15th Amendment. This shows how the persistent efforts of activists throughout the country allowed for the continued advancement of African American civil rights in the nation even though earlier reform efforts did not fully succeed.

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The movements that were upfront with stopping voting discrimination were most successful and gained support nationwide for its goals and objectives. A year later segregation was outlawed by the Omnibus Civil Rights Act. In the end the Civil Rights Movement in 1965-1969 may not have been 100 percent successful but African Americans did make progress and are a few steps closer to being economically, politically and morally equal like any white

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530 Words | 3 Pages

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was not the only law that benefited African Americans and showcased their success with the uplifting movement. After the violence in Selma the government felt like they had to do something to protect their citizens, so they decided to write the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to help African Americans officially earn the right to vote (Landau). This was a major decision for the government but overall it gave the movement the recognition it deserved for creating such a powerful impact on treatment of African Americans. Thanks to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 many African Americans were able to vote and many African Americans were also put into office because of this one law (Landau 39). The United States would now have African Americans in powerful and important positions in the government instead of just whites.

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The Civil Rights Movement was a critical period in history with much disarray to fight for the document established in 1964 that made it official to prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. From 1940 to 1965 people worked hard together endlessly to achieve a common goal of equality for all because they were mistreated and deprived of their human rights. This would not be attainable if there were not numerous efforts and continuous hard work executed by activists, people of all races, religions, and genders, to ensure desegregation in all aspects of life and a sense of fairness and equality. The Civil Rights Movement proved to be successful because of the effects of desegregation brought about by, the

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370 Words | 2 Pages

From 1954 to 1968, every day was a fight to live freely. African Americans in the US suffer a great amount due to discrimination and inequality. The Civil Rights Movement was the turning point in America that positively affected racial equality and change in society. There were many causes for the civil rights movement, but the treatment that black Americans received each second of their lives made them want to fight back. After the Reconstruction Era, Jim Crow laws were created.

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1104 Words | 5 Pages

The passage of the Act was and remains a historic moment for the citizens of the United States. It marked a milestone achievement from the very many days’ struggles to extend the political and legal rights to the African American in terms of “the elementary rights to equal citizenship and equal treatment (Risen 93).” The segregation of African Americans was prevalent through the 1950-60s (95), and many black leaders such as Martin Luther King Junior, Roy Wilkins, and Ralph Bunche were in the forefront to fight for the rights of the African Americans (76). The major achievements of the civil rights movements were the two major civil laws that were passed by the Congress although these laws were guaranteed in the United States Constitution after

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1703 Words | 7 Pages

Known as the SCLC, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference was directed by Martin Luther King Jr. and concentrated on “... approach[ing] civil rights with a philosophy of nonviolent resistance,” while also attempting to pressure the federal government to pass civil rights legislation. (Perusich). To challenge unjust laws and practices, the SCLC used a variety of tactics, including boycotts, sit-ins, and marches, and played a considerable role in many key events of the Civil Rights Movement. Both the SCLC and the SNCC worked together to fight for equal rights for African Americans despite their differences. The SNCC often supplied the volunteers for many SCLC-led campaigns, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Birmingham Campaign.

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528 Words | 3 Pages

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is hailed by many as one of the most important legislations in the American history. The act was passed into law 52 years ago under a lot of pressure and resistance from white senators and African American activists. The act, which was largely known as the “Bill of the century” was aimed at bringing equality for blacks and whites and end racial prejudice. The act was targeted to revolutionize America where blacks and whites would eat together in the same hotels and enjoy similar rights in public places without any discrimination.

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2211 Words | 9 Pages

The struggle for civil rights has been a defining feature of American history. The United States was founded on the principles of liberty and equality, yet for over two centuries, those principles were not extended to all citizens. The 1960s was a time of profound social and political change in America. At the forefront of this movement was the Civil Rights Movement, which sought to secure equal rights for Black Americans and other marginalized groups. On June 11th, 1963, President John F. Kennedy delivered a historic address on civil rights that was broadcasted on Radio and Television’s big three (ABC, CBS, NBC).

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708 Words | 3 Pages

This injustice was challenged by a mild-mannered department store seamstress named Rosa Parks (1913-2005). After she was arrested for failing to yield her seat to a white passenger, civil rights leaders began a successful boycott of the bus system in Montgomery, Alabama, on December 5, 1955. The principal leader of the boycott was the reverend Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968). In January 1957, King and other black pastors, such as Charles K. Steele (1914-1980) and Fred Shuttlesworth (1922-2011), organized the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, one of the leading organizations that helped end legal segregation by the mid-1960s. The same year that Lee won a contract for the unfinished manuscript of To Kill a Mockingbird, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1957, which provided penalties for the violation of voting rights and created the Civil Rights Commission.

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573 Words | 3 Pages

The Civil Rights Movement caused a lot of social harm and discrimination in the 1960s to African Americans. The act was signed by President Lyndon Johnson on July 2nd, 1964, making it known that this will be done in Kennedy’s honor because it was the right decision. Johnson says “Let us carry forward the plans and programs of John Fitzgerald Kennedy—not because of our sorrow or sympathy, but because they are right” (Johnson Union Speech). President Kennedy was the one who gained the amount of voters and a high percentage of African American support with high expectations. Johnson was the one who outlawed discrimination and segregation in public areas on any basis of race, sex, color, and religion.

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1614 Words | 7 Pages

The American Civil Rights Movement: A Catalyst for Social Change The 1950s–1960s Civil Rights Movement altered American society. Before this movement, African Americans were segregated and discriminated against. Key leaders led the movement in challenging systemic racism via peaceful resistance and civil disobedience. This movement transformed American culture by addressing deep-rooted racial inequality. Advocates of the movement gained national support after the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington.

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