History reading quizz
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Ch.12TheAfricanAmericans.pdf
Ch. 12 The African Americans: Road to Equality
A Rising Star • Jackie Robinson - an American professional baseball player
who became the first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he started at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. − Born in 1919 within Georgia’s sharecropping industry era. − Growing up in relatively poor neighborhood, him and his
friends were often excluded from recreational activities. − As a result, Robinson joined a local gang, but his close
friend persuaded him to leave and take on better pursuits. − Following his athletic abilities shining through, he moved
to Los Angeles for sports and bettering his education. − Attended Pasadena Junior College followed by UCLA,
playing varsity and making a name for himself. • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX3tv9uKj1I
Military Career and Activism • In 1942, Robinson was drafted into a segregated part of the
Army, where he applied for OCS (Officer Candidate School). − Many African Americans were blocked or denied from
OCS, but after some activism and help from others, Robinson was admitted.
• Unfortunately, racist co-officers and others charged him with insubordination, drunkenness, and for protesting sitting at the back of a bus. He won his legal proceedings, BUT this began his activism.
• He symbolized broader changes and demonstrated that the fight for equality was more than simply a political matter. Martin Luther King, Jr. said that he was "a legend and a symbol in his own time", and that he "challenged the dark skies of intolerance and frustration."
Ideological Battles • Paul Robeson - an American bass baritone concert artist and stage and film actor who
became famous both for his cultural accomplishments and for his political activism. Educated at Rutgers College and Columbia University, he was also a star athlete in his youth. − Was an American Communist, advocating for some communist principles. − Suggested that African Americans should NOT take up arms against the Soviet Union
for a couple reasons: • 1) Soviets stated that ALL were equal in society. Something the U.S. struggled
with. • 2) Soviet Union treated all races with “full dignity.”
− He did neglect the fact that the Soviet Union did kill millions within their authoritarian governments…
• Raises interesting ideological points between the United States’s capitalistic ideology and the Soviet Union’s communist manifesto. − Which was better? Which government did better for their people, especially of color?
Robeson Stance on Soviet Union & Afro-Americans
Post WWII World
• Once WWII was over, many African Americans hoped for a better world after fighting side by side with their countrymen.
• Many escaped overt racism in the South for better jobs in northern factories. − De facto segregation was still interspersed throughout the U.S. though.
• Now living in many cities throughout the U.S., African Americans saw an opportunity to make a difference as the Democratic Party wanted the black vote. − An opportunity for political activism. − Growing allies for eventual U.S. Supreme Court cases. − Help create a black professional and white-collar society, not one just within the
blue-collar workforce.
Legal Assault on Segregation • Plessy v. Ferguson - 1896, a landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court that upheld the
constitutionality of racial segregation laws for public facilities as long as the segregated facilities were equal in quality – a doctrine that came to be known as "separate but equal".
• Thurgood Marshall - an American lawyer who served as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from October 1967 until October 1991. Marshall was the Court's first African-American justice. − Argued in federal courts that racial discrimination was unconstitutional. − Violated First, Fifth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth amendments.
• Brown v. Board of Education - 1954, a landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in which the Court ruled that American state laws establishing racial segregation in public schools are unconstitutional, even if the segregated schools are otherwise equal in quality. − Thurgood Marshall argued that even with the same funding and facilities, segregation was
inherently unequal because it stigmatized one group of citizens as unfit to associate with others.
Civil Rights Revolution
• With the Civil Rights Act pushing the U.S. to rethink “what is really means by freedom,” activists kept pushing freedom rides, freedom schools, freedom marches, etc. − These activists kept pushing the status quo and allowed for the New Left and “second
wave” feminism to emerge. • Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) - one of the major American Civil
Rights Movement organizations of the 1960s. It emerged from the first wave of student sit-ins and formed at a May 1960 meeting organized by Ella Baker at Shaw University. − Wanted to replace culture of segregation with a “beloved community”
• Freedom Rides - bus journeys challenging racial segregation in the South in 1961. − Integrated activist groups traveled to the Deep South to test compliance with court
orders banning segregation. − Violent mobs resisted them in many instances, sometimes assaulting them, throwing
firebombs on their cars, or beating them.
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Birmingham • Martin Luther King Jr. - an American Christian minister and activist who became the most
visible spokesperson and leader in the Civil Rights Movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968.
• Culmination of these protests came in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1963. − Over fifty bombings of black homes and institutions.
• King composed one of his most eloquent pleas for racial justice. • Letter from Birmingham Jail - A letter that Martin Luther King, Jr., addressed to his fellow
clergymen while he was in jail in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1963, after a nonviolent protest against racial segregation.
• May of that year, King boldly sent black schoolchildren to the streets of Birmingham as an active protest for the discrimination.
• Police Chief Eugene the “Bull” unleashed police forces against thousands of young marchers. − Images shocked the nation via television. − Saw images of beatings, dog attacks, etc. − June 1963 a sniper killed a secretary of the NAACP, and in September a bomb exploded at a
black Baptist church killing four girls. − In 2002 the last of those who committed this domestic terrorism was tried and jailed.
The March
• March on Washington - civil rights demonstration on August 28, 1963, where the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. − Considered the ultimate high-point of the civil rights movement. − “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its
creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’” • This civil rights activism resurrected the Civil-War era vision of national authority as the
custodian of American freedom. − African Americans had more hope in the national government to aid them than state
legislatures.
New World of Kennedy
• John F. Kennedy had a profound effect on the United States, and the world. His image was new, progressive, cool, hard-working, and encompassed unity.
• Peace Corps - a volunteer program run by the United States government. Its official mission is to provide social and economic development abroad through technical assistance, while promoting mutual understanding between Americans and populations served. − Increased local, national, and international activism. − “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”
• Kennedy still viewed the world through the lens of the Cold War, especially as it progressed. • 1959, Fidel Castro led a revolution against the Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista.
− Pre-Castro: Cuba was economically dependent on the U.S. − Post-Castro: Cuba sought to become more independent, nationalizing American
landholdings and their investments on the island.
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End of Kennedy • While Kennedy was preoccupied with foreign affairs, at home the civil rights movement was
heating up even more. • Events in Birmingham forced him to go on national television and make this statement as a
pro-civil rights activist: − “We preach freedom around the world...but are we to say to the world, and much more
importantly, to each other, that this is a land of the free except for Negroes?” • Sent a comprehensive civil rights bill to capitol hill to be signed. • Unfortunately, JFK was assassinated on a motorcade through Dallas, Texas, on November
22, 1963. − His assassin was Lee Harvey Oswald, a troubled former marine. − He was killed two days later at a local nightclub. Speculation of a conspiracy theory are
still present.
A President Assassinated
Civil Rights For All • Civil Rights Act - 1964, law that outlawed discrimination in public accommodations and
employment. − Prohibited racial discrimination in employment, hospitals, schools, privately owned
public accomodations, restaurants, hotels, theaters, etc. − Five days after Kennedy’s assassination, Johnson called on Congress to enact this bill as
the most fitting memory of his slain predecessor. − “I think we delivered the South to the Republican Party.” - Johnson
• Freedom Summer − 1964 law did not address a major concern of the civil rights movement, right to vote in
the South. Jim Crow laws were still going strong. − Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP), created by the Civil Rights Movement,
wanted to elect more African Americans into the party. − A proposal was made to offer only two seats, which was rejected.
• Voting Rights Act - 1965, law passed after the Montgomery March, authorized federal protection to the right to vote and permitted federal enforcement of minority voting rights in individual counties, mostly in the South.
American Pluralism • By 1965 the civil rights movement had also eroded the legal bases of second-class citizenship.
Belief that racism should NOT be within public policy. • Hart-Celler Act - law that eliminated the national origins quota system for immigration
established by laws in 1921 and 1924; led to radical change in the origins of immigrants to the U.S.; Latin Americans began to outnumber European immigration. − Typically, U.S. policy excluded Asians and severely restricted southern and eastern
Europeans. • Great Society - term coined by President Lyndon B. Johnson in his 1965 State of the Union
address, in which he proposed legislation to address problems of voting rights, poverty, diseases, education, immigration, and the environment. − Collectively began to help poor and elderly of ALL backgrounds, faiths, and national origins. − Main Difference: New Deal focused on fixing depression, Great Society focused on
utilizing prosperity. • War on Poverty - 1964, LBJ’s plan for the Economic Opportunity Bill, Head Start, VISTA, and
the Jobs Corps. Programs for students, farmers, and businesses to eliminate poverty.
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Improved Rights of the 60’s
Nixon Era • The 1950s and 1960s saw a conservative rebirth. • By 1968 there had been a backlash among former Democratic values. Against both black
assertiveness and antiwar demonstrations. − Helped Richard Nixon gain favor in the political process.
• Richard Nixon - an American politician who served as the 37th president of the United States from 1969 until 1974. − Won his presidential election in a very narrow margin. − Best known for being a clever politician and strategist. − Interested in mainly foreign policy, and was content with extending Eisenhower’s
progressive domestic policies. Expanded many elements of the Great Society. • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - an independent agency of the United States
federal government for environmental protection. President Richard Nixon proposed the establishment of EPA on July 9, 1970 and it began operation on December 2, 1970, after Nixon signed an executive order.
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Welfare Programs • Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) - a federal assistance program in effect
from 1935 to 1996 created by the Social Security Act (SSA) and administered by the United States Department of Health and Human Services that provided financial assistance to children whose families had low or no income. − Nixon wanted to replace this program with his own. − His “startling” proposition was for a Family Assistance Plan, proposing a guaranteed
minimum income for all Americans. − Would serve as the ultimate safety net for the impoverished of America. − Excellent example of Nixon’s ability to break political stereotypes.
• Affirmative Action - policy efforts to promote greater employment opportunities for minorities. − During Nixon’s first three years, black student school attendance rose from 32% to
77%. − Hope was to open more jobs for black workers. Viewed it as best way to fight inflation
by weakening trade unions, which he saw as pushing unreasonable high wages.
Court Nominations • Although Nixon was pursuing equality amongst minorities and integrating them within the
United States, his term as president saw an increase in U.S. Supreme Court nominations. − Clement Haynsworth − G. Harrold Carswell − Warren Burger − Main Point: One of the greatest powers of the executive branch is to nominate
Supreme Court members. Has major judicial and political effects for decades. • Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education - a landmark United States Supreme
Court case dealing with the busing of students to promote integration in public schools. − Led to ramifications with race relations and integration issues. − Most white parents moved into the suburbs so their children did not have to attend
schools with African American children. − Caused major debate regarding busing children and forced integration.
• Reverse Discrimination - the belief that affirmative action programs discriminate against white people based on giving unfair advantages to members of society based solely on skin color.
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A Different Ideology
• Malcolm X - El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, better known as Malcolm X, was an American Muslim minister and human rights activist who was a popular figure during the civil rights movement. He is best known for his staunch and controversial black racial advocacy, and for his time spent as the vocal spokesperson of the Nation of Islam. − In the 1960s, Malcolm X became disillusioned with the Nation of Islam under its then
leader, Elijah Muhammad. − He became active within the Civil Rights Movement and completed the Hajj to the holy
city of Mecca. • Advocated heavily for:
− Black supremacy − Black empowerment − Separation of blacks and whites − Criticized the Civil Rights Movement for its views on nonviolence and racial integration.
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Black Agency Grows
• Black Panther Movement - originally the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, was a revolutionary socialist political organization founded by Marxist college students Bobby Seale and Huey Newton in October 1966 in Oakland, California. − Initial core practice was its open carry armed citizens' patrols ("copwatching") to
monitor the behavior of officers of the Oakland Police Department and challenge police brutality in the city.
• Modern Connection: − Similar to Ahmaud Arbery’s recent lynching in Georgia. − Black Panther Party protected his family during ceremonial march with
weaponry. • Ultimately, a response from the African American population towards the perpetual racism,
discrimination, and killings. If civil liberties will be violated → aggressive defense!
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An Olympic Moment
Let us also not forget Peter Norman and his statue contribution to the movement and his fellow Olympians.
Modern Protests• Colin Kaepernick Kneeling - an American football quarterback who played for the San Francisco 49ers, decided to kneel during the National Anthem as a protest towards political brutality, discrimination, and mistreatment of minorities.
• Exploded into a heated debate between two camps: − 1) Minorities have been oppressed and should be
more respected! Also, allowed to freely protest through Constitutional rights. True American thing to do?
− 2) Anyone who kneels during the national anthem is spitting in the face of America. How dare they not stand for the anthem! Do they hate our armed forces and veterans?
• Brings up interesting modern protest questions… • Obama’s thoughts in video -->
First Black President in U.S. History • President Barack Hussein Obama - an American politician and attorney who served as the 44th
president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, Barack Obama was the first African-American president of the United States. − Born in Honolulu, Hawaii − Graduated from Columbia Law School in 1983, working as an organizer and civil rights
attorney. − Taught constitutional law in Chicago Law School from 1992-2004. − Ran for U.S. Senate in 2004. − Ran for U.S. President in 2008, winning the election and entering office in 2009.
• Highlights of Obama Presidency − First African American president in U.S. history! Truly a momentous and changing time. − YES WE CAN! Slogan brought hope, joy, and camaraderie among America. − 2008-2009 Financial Meltdown. Stimulated the economy with billions of dollars. − Killing of Osama Bin Laden − Syrian Civil War. Discussion of U.S. global role, refugee issues, and possible WWIII. − Left U.S. economy strong, military powerful, yet criticized for increased deportations.
Obama’s Presidency: A Legacy
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A Future Generation of Hope
Honoring Our Activists • John Lewis - an American politician and civil rights leader. He was the U.S. Representative for
Georgia's 5th congressional district, served 17 terms in the House, having served since 1987, and was the dean of the Georgia congressional delegation. − Born into a sharecropping family in Alabama.
• 1961, one of the original 13 Freedom Riders that went into the South to challenge integration practices.
− Beaten and thrown in jail more times than one would like to remember. − 1963, founding member of SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) − 1963, one of the coordinators for Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous March on Washington where
he spoke the “I Have A Dream” speech. − 1965, Selma to Montgomery Marches, “Bloody Sunday,” along with MLK led over 600 activists
across a bridge into awaiting Alabama State Troopers that tear gassed and beat them. − 1986-2020, a long and fruitful career in Congress that brought wisdom, grounded perspective,
and integrity to the office. − 2011, received the Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama. Citing his meritorious
contribution to society, publicly and privately. − Date of passing: July 17, 2020.
“Getting into good
trouble.”
• End of Ch. 12! • Be aware of quiz due
dates and weekly work.
