African Americans Fight for Equity and Social Justice

Final Paper Preparation Worksheet

This template will help you prepare for your final paper by organizing the information for your final paper, walking you through the process of defining your topic, researching, and analyzing primary and secondary sources, creating an annotated bibliography, and crafting a thesis. Once you have completed the worksheet submit it to the online classroom for grading.

After your instructor has graded the worksheet, please be sure to use it and the feedback provided to you by your instructor as you construct your final paper. Please write in black or a contrasting font. 1. Identification of Subject:

Identify the group that you selected in week 1 of the course. Your final paper will focus on this group and how this group has experienced American history.

As a reminder, the groups were:

·

· African Americans

· Native Americans

· Women

· Immigrants

Which topic have you chosen?

African Americans Fight for Equity and Social Justice

2. Events

Choose FOUR specific events relating to your group that you plan to discuss in your final paper. The events should help you explain the changes that occurred for this group from 1877 to the present, including the challenges and achievements that are a part of that group’s history.

· Two events must be from the period between 1877 and 1945

· Two events must be from the period 1945 to the present.

At least one event from each period should focus on the political and/or civil rights of the chosen group.

It is recommended that you consult the HIS 206 Timeline in selecting your events, especially for the period 1945- present, as those are covered in the last two weeks of the course.

On this worksheet and in your final paper, be sure to discuss the events you have chosen in the order in which they happened. This will help you put together a project that makes historical sense.

If you need help with finding events or sources, go to the HIS 206 Final Paper Support Page.

If you are having trouble completing this form or have questions, be sure to contact your instructor.

For each event please state:

1. The name of the event

2. When it took place

3. Where in the US it occurred

4. Who was involved

5. What circumstances contributed to the event

6. How this event was historically significant

Event 1 (1877 – 1945): Plessy v. Ferguson

Name of the Event: Plessy v. Ferguson When it took place: May 18, 1896. Where in the US it occurred: The case started in Louisiana yet had public ramifications as it arrived at the US High Court. Who was involved: The essential people included were Homer Plessy and Judge John H. Ferguson, the directing appointed authority for the situation. Be that as it may, the case had more extensive ramifications for African Americans and social liberties activists. What circumstances contributed to the event: The occasion was a legitimate test of the Louisiana Separate Car Act of 1890, which commanded isolated railroad cars for Blacks and Whites. With the backing of social equality activists, Homer Plessy purposely disregarded this regulation by sitting in a "whites-only" train car. How this event was historically significant: Plessy v. Ferguson brought about a milestone Supreme Court choice that maintained racial isolation under the "separate but equal" regulation. This choice had huge ramifications for African Americans, as it endorsed racial isolation in different parts of public life, including transportation, educational training, and public offices. The decision stayed as a result until it was toppled by the High Court in the Brown v. Board of Education case in 1954, denoting a significant defining moment in social liberties development.

Event 2 (1877 – 1945): Black Wall Street Destroyed (Tulsa Race Massacre 1921)

Name of the Event: “Black Wall Street Destroyed” When it Took Place: May 31 to June 1, 1921. Where in the US it Occurred: The incident took place in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma, which was a thriving African-American community often referred to as "Black Wall Street." Who Was Involved: The event encompassed a white mob consisting of residents, some of whom were representatives, and the African American residents of Greenwood who were targeted. Circumstances Contributing to the Event: The massacre commenced with an incident involving a young individual of color, Dick Rowland, and a Caucasian elevator operator, Sarah Page. The apprehension of Rowland and the subsequent gathering of an angry white mob demanding his lynching was instigated by deceitful accusations of assault. The situation became more intense when African American residents of Tulsa, including veterans of World War II, sought to protect Rowland. Historical Significance: The Tulsa Race Slaughter remains a critical occasion in American history, portrayed by its grave outcomes and racially persuaded nature. The Caucasian crowd participated in a boundless attack on the African-American populace, bringing about the obliteration of organizations, homes, and places of love, as well as numerous fatalities and losses. The event being referred to affected the African-American occupants of Greenwood, prompting the awful loss of living souls, property, and intergenerational riches. Besides, it filled in as a portrayal of the racial disunity and demonstrations of hostility experienced by African Americans all through the time of Jim Crow.

Event 3 (1945 – present): Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956)

Name of the Event: Montgomery Bus Boycott When it Took Place: December 5, 1955- December 20, 1956. Where in the US it Occurred: The Montgomery Bus Boycott occurred in the city of Montgomery, Alabama. Who Was Involved: The Montgomery Bus Boycott included a few prominent people, including Rosa Parks, Martin Luther Ruler Jr., Jo Ann Robinson, and a few chiefs partnered with the Montgomery Improvement Affiliation (MIA). The boycott was prevalently organized and participated in by the African-American people of Montgomery. What Circumstances Contributed to the Event: The commencement of the boycott was provoked by the apprehension of Rosa Parks on December 1, 1955, resulting in her refusal to surrender her transport seat to a traveler of Caucasian plunge. This event pointed out the perseverance through racial isolation and abuse experienced by Black travelers on public transport in Montgomery. How this Event Was Historically Significant: The Montgomery Bus Boycott assumed a significant part in the headway of the Civil Rights Movement. This occasion was a striking progress in the battle for social equality, as it displayed the viability of peaceful dissent and common defiance as a means to defy racial segregation. The boycott brought about a milestone lawful choice by the U.S. High Court on account of Browder v. Gayle, which pronounced the act of isolation on public transport to be illegal. This administering laid out a huge legitimate point of reference. During the boycott, Martin Luther Luther King Jr. developed as a prominent figure in the civil rights movement, earning huge acknowledgment both locally and universally. Moreover, this specific occasion filled in as a wellspring of motivation and laid out the establishment for ensuing civil rights missions and actions inside the US. Subsequently, it assumed a critical part in the last nullification of Jim Crow regulations and the movement for social equality for African Americans.

Event 4 (1945 – present): Election of Barack Obama as the First African American President (2008)

Name of the Event: Election of Barack Obama as the First African-American President When it Took Place: November 4, 2008. Where in the US it Occurred: The appointment of Barack Obama, who became the first African American President of the United States, was a cross-country occasion that enveloped casting a ballot in all states and regions. Who Was Involved: Barack Obama, the Democratic candidate for President, and his opponent in the election was John McCain, the Republican candidate. Millions of Americans from various racial, ethnic, and demographic backgrounds were involved as voters. What Circumstances Contributed to the Event: Barack Obama becoming President, denoted his status as the underlying African American person to stand firm on this regarded situation, addressed the perfection of extended endeavors spreading over many years pointed toward getting common freedoms and encouraging racial equality inside the US. The previously mentioned peculiarity arose resulting in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, which looked to achieve the discontinuance of racial isolation and unfair practices. Besides, it arose resulting in an extended narrative of African American pioneers and activists passionately supporting equality and consideration. How this Event Was Historically Significant: The appointment of Barack Obama as the inaugural African-American President denoted a huge achievement in the chronicles of American history. The occasion addressed an eminent change in the comprehension country might interpret racial elements and filled in as a substantial portrayal of progressions made in the continuous quest for equivalent privileges and civil rights. The administration of Barack Obama was generally seen as a huge period described by positive thinking and change, bringing out motivation among mistreated networks all through the US. This perception uncovered that people having a place with different racial backgrounds had the ability to achieve the best, most influential place inside a country, subsequently destroying political deterrents related to race. The administration of Barack Obama impacted both homegrown and unfamiliar issues, making an enduring imprint on American legislative issues and society.

3. Sources

For your final paper, you must incorporate two primary and two secondary sources. You should choose sources that are related to the events described above. This will help you explain the changes that occurred for your selected group from 1877 to the present, including the challenges and achievements that are a part of that group’s history. For this assignment, you will provide an APA (American Psychological Association) reference citation for each source and provide one to two paragraph annotations that discuss the main points of the source, how it relates to your group, and explains how this evidence will be helpful in your final paper.

Please remember that there are primary sources listed in the Week 3 Discussion Board. You are free to use those primary sources, or you may find your own. You are also welcome to use the primary and secondary sources listed in the weekly required or recommended sources. Do not use the textbook as either a primary or secondary source in this assignment.

Primary Sources:

Primary sources are documents or artifacts created during a historical event or by someone who personally witnessed a historical event. Keep in mind that primary sources tell us the viewpoint of an individual at a particular point in time. It is recommended that you use the U.S. Library of Congress’ primary source analysis tool for help with analyzing primary sources.

For this assignment, and your final, you will need to locate two primary sources related to your topic. For help locating primary sources refer to the HIS206: Primary Sources Research Guide. (You will need to be logged into the library for this link to work. Refer to the first video in the Week 3 Lesson for help with accessing the library to find primary sources.)

If you need help with finding events or sources, please go to the HIS 206 Final Paper Support Page. If you are having trouble completing this form, or have questions, be sure to contact your instructor.

APA Citation for Primary Source 1:

Provide the APA citation for your source. Here are some examples of APA citations.

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896). (2022, February 8). National Archives.

Annotation for Primary Source 1:

In your own words, provide an annotation explaining what the source is, where it came from, what this source can tell us about your topic, what information this source provides that will help you address the final paper prompt, and how this source will help you prove your thesis. Be sure to provide specific information in your annotation. Here are some examples of annotations .

The primary source The US High Legal dispute "Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)" is a fundamental piece of American legitimate history. This is the milestone Supreme Court's choice in maintaining racial isolation in open facilities and laying the preparation for the "separate but equal" idea. The Court's decision is incorporated here; it held that state regulations commanding racial isolation didn't cross paths with the Fourteenth Amendment. A person of color named Homer Plessy documented a suit against a Louisiana rule that necessary different racial gatherings to go in discrete rail line compartments. This document of record is fundamental for sorting out how the law endorsed racial separation and isolation in the last 19th century. It reveals insight into the challenges African Americans faced in the legal framework after the end of Reconstruction. This primary source will be utilized broadly in the final paper to investigate the verifiable setting of segregation and its impact on African-American civil rights.

APA Citation for Primary Source 2:

Provide the APA citation for your source. Here are some examples of APA citations.

Nagourney, A. (2008, November 5). Obama Wins Election. The New York Times.

Annotation for Primary Source 2:

In your own words, provide an annotation explaining what the source is, where it came from, what this source can tell us about your topic, what information this source provides that will help you address the final paper prompt, and how this source will help you prove your thesis. Be sure to provide specific information in your annotation. Here are some examples of annotations .

The primary source "Obama Wins Election" is a news article written by Adam Nagourney and published in The New York Times on November 5, 2008. It reports on Barack Obama's historic victory in the 2008 presidential election, becoming the first African-American President of the United States. The article provides a detailed account of the election results, voter turnout, and reactions from both supporters and opponents. This source is valuable for understanding the significance of Barack Obama's election as it captures the immediate reactions and emotions of the American public at the time. It sheds light on the challenges and achievements of the African-American community in politics. In the final paper, this primary source will be essential for discussing the event that marked a significant milestone in African American history and its broader implications for civil rights and political representation. The election of Barack Obama relates to the thesis because it illustrates how the event reflected resiliency, determination in reshaping the trajectory of African American history.

Scholarly Secondary Sources

Secondary scholarly sources are accounts of historical events written by professional historians after the events. They are interpretations of events within context and have a central argument. You will need to locate two scholarly secondary sources – either scholarly book chapters or articles – related to your topic. Please make sure that you identify sources written by historians, not other scholars. It is recommended that you use the JSTOR database to identify scholarly articles because you can do an advanced search for History journals.

For help locating scholarly secondary sources refer to the HIS206: Secondary Sources Research Guide. (You will need to be logged into the library for this link to work. Refer to the second video in the Week 3 Lesson for help with accessing the library to find secondary sources.)

If you need help with finding events or sources, please go to the HIS 206 Final Paper Support Page. If you are having trouble completing this form, or have questions, be sure to contact your instructor.

APA Citation for Secondary Source 1:

Provide the APA citation for your source. Here are some examples of APA citations.

Materson, L. G., & Trotter Jr, J. W. (2018). African American urban electoral politics in the age of Jim Crow. Journal of Urban History, 44(2), 123-133.

Annotation for Secondary Source 1:

In your own words, provide an annotation explaining what the source is, where it came from, what this source can tell us about your topic, what information this source provides that will help you address the final paper prompt, and how this source will help you prove your thesis. Be sure to provide specific information in your annotation. Here are some examples of annotations .

The secondary source "African American Urban Electoral Politics in the Age of Jim Crow" by Materson and Trotter, published in the Journal of Urban History in 2018, explores the dynamics of African American political engagement within the context of Jim Crow segregation. The authors analyze the challenges and strategies employed by African Americans in urban areas to participate in the electoral process during the Jim Crow era. This source provides valuable insights into the political landscape and obstacles African Americans face, shedding light on their resilience and determination to exercise their civil rights. It discusses the historical significance of urban electoral politics to advance African American interests and challenge systemic racism. In the final paper, this secondary source will be instrumental in discussing African Americans' political and civil rights challenges during the Jim Crow era, offering a scholarly perspective on their efforts to bring about change through the electoral process.

APA Citation for Secondary Source 2:

Provide the APA citation for your source. Here are some examples of APA citations.

Ogbar, J. O. (2019). Black Power: Radical politics and African American identity.

Annotation for Secondary Source 2:

In your own words, provide an annotation explaining what the source is, where it came from, what this source can tell us about your topic, what information this source offers that will help you address the final paper prompt, and how this source will help you prove your thesis. Be sure to provide specific information in your annotation. Here are some examples of annotations .

This book by Jeffrey O. G. Ogbar, published in 2019, is a scholarly work that delves into the Black Power movement, examining its significance and impact on African-American identity and politics during the 1960s and 70s. Ogbar conducts deep archival research and interviews with key participants, offering insights into how the Nation of Islam and the Black Panther Party, often seen as fringe movements, played crucial roles in the civil rights era. The book suggests that African Americans embraced both desegregation and nationalism, providing a nuanced understanding of the political landscape at the time. This source is essential for understanding the historical context and the evolving political and social dynamics within the African-American community from the late 19th century to the present, which will be valuable for addressing the final paper prompt and supporting the thesis.

4. Introduction and Thesis Statement

Provide an introduction and thesis statement for your final paper. An introduction introduces your topic and approach. A thesis is a sentence length statement of the main idea of your paper. You can think of a thesis as the one sentence that you want the reader to take away from your paper.

Your introduction and thesis statement should summarize the changes that occurred for your chosen group from 1877 to the present, including the challenges and achievements that are a part of that group’s history. A good introduction and thesis should be informed by the findings of your sources, and your analysis of your events.

For more information about thesis statements, consult the University of Iowa’s Writing a Thesis webpage.

Draft of Introduction and thesis:

Introduction African Americans in the United States have fought and won against incredible odds throughout history. African Americans have experienced a unique and challenging landscape since the end of the Reconstruction era in 1877. This landscape is distinguished by racial segregation, discrimination, and fundamental inequity. This journey has been shaped by a series of significant events that have elevated the challenges and successes to the forefront of their life narrative. This paper examines confidence in their ability to overcome adversity. From the landmark Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court case to the shocking Tulsa Race Slaughter to the extraordinary Montgomery Bus Boycott to the historic election of Barack Obama as the first African American President, this paper examines the changes in the African-American experience from 1877 to the present, highlighting the challenges and accomplishments that have come to characterize this experience. Their fight for worth is exemplified by these events, as is their determination to persevere in the face of adversity. Thesis Statement Despite enduring centuries of systemic racism, African Americans have displayed unwavering resilience and determination, ultimately reshaped the trajectory of their history and advancing the cause of equity and social justice in the United States.