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Analyze The Changes And Continuities Of The Civil Rights Movement

773 Words4 Pages

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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