Rebecca Correia

History
12/2/2015

Civil Rights Movement In the 1960`s

One of the most important times in America was In the 1960's .We as Americans sought
improvement, seeking change in Civil rights. These events that happens during this time period
were significant and still affecting the America that we know today. The causes and effects of
the 1960's will be address as we come to learn the key concepts that will be mentioned such as,
the American culture at this time as well as including the political views and laws established.
Also recognizing important people who supported, facilitated and fought for civil rights, and the
legal and unlawful acts that took place in this crucial time.
The ideas at this time were important, some of the very first concepts of the civil rights
movement began with equality of all Americans in that African Americans and other minorities
didn't have the same liberties and freedoms that were given to the white`s. Many issues occurred
with segregation of blacks and whites, this included the schools, restaurants and even drinking
fountains. (Lee, 2015) this Was very prevalent in the south, these were considered some of the
"Jim crow" laws that were established by these states that oppressed the African Americans at
this time. (History.com, 2009) This oppression was not something new that happened in the
1960`s it had been going on since the begging's of slavery and even events taking place in the
beginning of America. The equality of African Americans of the time were put into
consideration which brought about societal alterations. (Civil rights and social change, 1959)
Some of the main ideas were brought about by leaders during this time. Non-violent
protest were organized as a way for the oppressed to show their support of being given the same
freedoms. One of the many key people who played a major role in the revolution civil rights
movement and its accomplishments recognized throughout time is Rosa Parks. Rosa Parks is

Rebecca Correia
History
12/2/2015

one of the many well known throughout history because of her demonstration to not give up her
seat on the bus to a white man. this event which took place in 1955 paved the way for more
oppressed colored people to stand up and not live in a society of fear. This gave others at the
time strength and courage to stand up and no longer be discriminated against. (Carson, 2015)
Another key facilitator to the civil rights movement was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he
was made head of the Montgomery improvement association also known as the MIA. This was
important because he found ways and took key concepts of non violent protest and civil
disobedience and put it into action regardless of all the trouble he was himself. (Carson, 2015)
In that The same ideas shared by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi a well known Indian leader
who was also known for his non violent protests against the British in his time. (Nanda, 2015)
The main influential things Dr. Martin Luther King brought about started mostly in 1963,
There was an organized "March in Birmingham". Birmingham is known to be the most
categorize place for African Americans to discriminated against. This was a non violent protest
in that children, teenagers and adults participated in. In their peaceful demonstration there were
horrible scenes and pictures shown nationally that when president JKF (the president of the
time) heard he said, "The events in Birmingham... have so increased the cries for equality that
no city or state or legislative body can prudently choose to ignore them." (The Birmingham
campaign | civil rights movement | black history, 1963) there were also "the letters of
Birmingham" which were written in Dr. Martin Luther King's incarceration as he was arrested
during the non violent protests that were happening. (King, n.d.) These letters explained the
things that the African Americans had suffered hardships and why they are doing the non violent
protest and ultimately was a reply to a group of white spiritual influential leaders in the south .In

Rebecca Correia
History
12/2/2015

these letters it is part of this whole ideology of the civil rights movement and the right that
everyone can be free
other key concepts were addressed in his famous I have a Dream speech, in which he talked
about the importance of men "not being judge by the color of our skin but by our own character"
(, n.d.) Giving the Americans a new Light on the civil rights movement and equality for all who
are given life.
As mentioned Earlier president John F Kennedy had a significant role in the civil rights
movement in that his election took place in 1961, many African Americans sought his help
because in the south it was harder to get fair dealing through the courts so they went directly to
the president. During the earlier weeks previous to the elections President John F Kennedy heard
of Dr. Martin Luther King arrest and called his wife Coretta Scott King to give explanation to his
apprehension on the issues involving her husband, in that Robert Kennedy got the judge to assist
in assuring his secure discharge.() After his interaction with the kings this impacted African
Americans in that " more than 70% voted for him".(Civil rights movement, 1962)He then as his
time in president selected a number of exceptionally well African Americans to positions in
administration to even support the civil rights commission of the time. President John F Kennedy
showed support for integration of schools and commended those states that did. (Civil rights
movement, 1962)
Lyndon B Johnson was the vice president working at the time under President John F
Kennedy. Lyndon B Johnson was also made at this time to preside over the "Equal Employment
Opportunity committee." Johnson influence John F Kennedy before his assassination to make a
ethical pledge to civil rights. After President John F Kennedys assassination Lyndon was made

Rebecca Correia
History
12/2/2015

president and was realizing the need for equality among the African Americans of the time in
order to help America move forward. it was president Johnson that signed the "Civil rights act of
1964" as well as the free right to vote for all African Americans by also signing the "voting act of
1965." (1964 civil rights act, 2015) this was critical and an important in order to lawfully end
all unfair treatment of the African Americans and all other minorities being discriminated. With
these laws made and passed it changed the social "norm" of America, Leading the way for
freedom for all Americans. (1964 civil rights act, 2015)
Although these laws were set they affected many legal implications made throughout
time that help recognize the problems America had were in some of these cases including Plessy
versus Ferguson (1896). in that Homer Plessy a Mixed African American with some Caucasian
was arrested for purchasing a ticket and taking a available on an only whites car. Homer Plessy
was brought to trial and found guilty of breaking the law. in turn Homer Plessy petitioned and
this got taken to the supreme court in that the 14th amendment is that "any human being within
their control the equal security of the laws", including the Thirteenth Amendment, which forbidd
slavery. (The supreme court . The First Hundred years . Landmark cases . Plessy v. Ferguson
(1896), n.d.) the state laws and argument against it was that the state has rights to have a
"segregated but equal rights" for the black and the whites, Plessy lost but this was important
because it helped facilitate another legal case Brown versus the Board of Education 1954 during
this time the segregation of schools for the African American, minorities and Whites. the
supreme court over ruled the state laws by stating "separate educational facilities are inherently
unequal, (History.com, 2009) with this in place didn't mean that all agreed with the supreme
court's decision but it made it legal and part of the constitution. (The supreme court .
Expanding civil rights . Landmark cases . Brown v. Board of education (1954), n.d.)

Rebecca Correia
History
12/2/2015

Although there was unfairness in some of the legal implications it made way for the
"civil rights act" earlier motioned in that the civil rights act made it so that "discrimination
between races and sex`s" in that ended all segregation and employment discrimination as well as
bringing equal opportunity to the African Americans and other minorities. (History.com, 2010)
In conclusion it is important to recognize the history of America so we can continue to
improve what we now have. as we all come together and make America better. Stand up for
those who can't defend them self an also using the freedoms that we have to better help one
another whether it's in voting or serving the community. May we remember the things that have
shaped America so that we can continue to be a land of liberty justice and equality.

Rebecca Correia
History
12/2/2015

Work Cited Page:

Reference List
1964 civil rights act. (2015). Retrieved December 15, 2015, from http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/the-civilrights-movement-in-america-1945-to-1968/1964-civil-rights-act/
Carson, C. (2015). American civil rights movement. In Encyclopdia Britannica. Retrieved from
http://www.britannica.com/event/American-civil-rights-movement
Civil rights and social change. (1959). Retrieved December 15, 2015, from
http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=4564
Civil rights movement. (1962). Retrieved December 15, 2015, from http://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/JFK-inHistory/Civil-Rights-Movement.aspx
History.com (2009). Civil rights movement - black history. history.com. Retrieved from
http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/civil-rights-movement
History.com (2009). Brown v. Board of education - black history. history.com. Retrieved from
http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/brown-v-board-of-education-of-topeka
History.com (2010). Civil rights act - black history. history.com. Retrieved from
http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/civil-rights-act
King, M. L. Letter from Birmingham jail 1 letter from Birmingham jail. Retrieved December 15, 2015, from
http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/documents/Letter_Birmingham_Jail.pdf
Lee, J. (2015). Power point Presentation
Retrieved December 15, 2015, from http://www.biography.com/people/martin-luther-king-jr-9365086#synopsis
Nanda, B. R. (2015). Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi | Indian leader. In Encyclopdia Britannica. Retrieved
from http://www.britannica.com/biography/Mohandas-Karamchand-Gandhi
Plessy v. Ferguson case brief summary. Retrieved December 15, 2015, from
http://www.lawnix.com/cases/plessy-ferguson.html
The Birmingham campaign | civil rights movement | black history. (1963). Retrieved December 15, 2015, from
http://www.pbs.org/black-culture/explore/civil-rights-movement-birmingham-campaign/#.Vm-njY-cHIU
The supreme court . Expanding civil rights . Landmark cases . Brown v. Board of education (1954). Retrieved
December 15, 2015, from http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/rights/landmark_brown.html
The supreme court . The First Hundred years . Landmark cases . Plessy v. Ferguson (1896). Retrieved
December 15, 2015, from http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/antebellum/landmark_plessy.html

Citations, Quotes & Annotations

1964 civil rights act. (2015). Retrieved December 15, 2015, from http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/the-civilrights-movement-in-america-1945-to-1968/1964-civil-rights-act/
(1964 civil rights act, 2015)
Carson, C. (2015). American civil rights movement. In Encyclopdia Britannica. Retrieved from
http://www.britannica.com/event/American-civil-rights-movement
(Carson, 2015)
Civil rights and social change. (1959). Retrieved December 15, 2015, from
http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=4564
(Civil rights and social change, 1959)

Rebecca Correia
History
12/2/2015
Civil rights movement. (1962). Retrieved December 15, 2015, from http://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/JFK-inHistory/Civil-Rights-Movement.aspx
(Civil rights movement, 1962)
History.com (2009). Civil rights movement - black history. history.com. Retrieved from
http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/civil-rights-movement
(History.com, 2009)
History.com (2009). Brown v. Board of education - black history. history.com. Retrieved from
http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/brown-v-board-of-education-of-topeka
(History.com, 2009)
History.com (2010). Civil rights act - black history. history.com. Retrieved from
http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/civil-rights-act
(History.com, 2010)
King, M. L. Letter from Birmingham jail 1 letter from Birmingham jail. Retrieved December 15, 2015, from
http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/documents/Letter_Birmingham_Jail.pdf
(King, n.d.)
Lee, J. (2015). Power point Presentation
(Lee, 2015)
Retrieved December 15, 2015, from http://www.biography.com/people/martin-luther-king-jr-9365086#synopsis
(, n.d.)
Nanda, B. R. (2015). Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi | Indian leader. In Encyclopdia Britannica. Retrieved
from http://www.britannica.com/biography/Mohandas-Karamchand-Gandhi
(Nanda, 2015)
Plessy v. Ferguson case brief summary. Retrieved December 15, 2015, from
http://www.lawnix.com/cases/plessy-ferguson.html
(Plessy v. Ferguson case brief summary, n.d.)
The Birmingham campaign | civil rights movement | black history. (1963). Retrieved December 15, 2015, from
http://www.pbs.org/black-culture/explore/civil-rights-movement-birmingham-campaign/#.Vm-njY-cHIU
(The Birmingham campaign | civil rights movement | black history, 1963)
The supreme court . Expanding civil rights . Landmark cases . Brown v. Board of education (1954). Retrieved
December 15, 2015, from http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/rights/landmark_brown.html
(The supreme court . Expanding civil rights . Landmark cases . Brown v. Board of education (1954), n.d.)
The supreme court . The First Hundred years . Landmark cases . Plessy v. Ferguson (1896). Retrieved
December 15, 2015, from http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/antebellum/landmark_plessy.html
(The supreme court . The First Hundred years . Landmark cases . Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), n.d.)

Rebecca Correia
History
12/2/2015