Lucas__Pessoa_HIS_200__Applied_History (4)
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Southern New Hampshire University *
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200
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Jan 9, 2024
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Module 5 Short Responses – Question 1
In the space below, specify which historical lens you'd like to use for this exercise.
I would like to use the social history lens for this exercise.
Module 5 Short Responses – Question 2
Next, formulate a research question about the civil rights movement (historical time
from 1954 – 1968), using the lens you've chosen.
Research Question: How did social movements and grassroots activism contribute to the
success of the Civil Rights Movement between 1954 and 1968, particularly in shaping public
opinion and influencing legislative changes?
Module 5 Short Responses – Question 3
First, go back and review the research question you developed in Step 1. For Step 2,
first name two different primary sources that you might use to answer that question. Be
as specific as you can. Your primary sources should be found using the Shapiro Library.
Primary Source 1:
Title: "Letter from Birmingham Jail"
Author: Martin Luther King Jr.
Date: April 16, 1963
Description: This letter, written by Martin Luther King Jr. during the Birmingham campaign,
provides insights into his philosophy of nonviolent resistance and sheds light on the moral
and strategic aspects of the Civil Rights Movement.
Primary Source 2:
Title: "Eyes on the Prize" (documentary series)
Creator: Produced by Henry Hampton
Date: Originally aired in 1987
Description: This documentary series captures the history of the Civil Rights Movement,
featuring interviews with key figures, archival footage, and firsthand accounts. It offers a
visual and narrative overview of the grassroots activism and social movements during this
period.
Module 5 Short Responses – Question 4
Next, name two different secondary sources you could use to answer your research
question. Again, be as specific as you can. Your secondary sources should be found using
the Shapiro Library.
Secondary Source 1:
Title: "Parting the Waters: America in the King Years 1954-63"
Author: Taylor Branch
Year: 1988
Description: This book by Taylor Branch covers the early years of the Civil Rights
Movement, providing a comprehensive analysis of the political, social, and cultural forces
that shaped the movement during the period from 1954 to 1963.
Secondary Source 2:
Title: "The Civil Rights Movement: A Photographic History, 1954-68"
Author: Steven Kasher
Year: 2018
Description: This photographic history compiled by Steven Kasher offers a visual perspective
on the Civil Rights Movement, using powerful images to depict key events, leaders, and
ordinary people involved in the struggle for civil rights.
Module 5 Short Responses – Question 5
Construct a thesis statement that provides an answer to the research question you posed
in Step 1. Base your response on the historical evidence that's been presented in this
course so far, as well as any research you may have done on your own.
Thesis Statement: The Civil Rights Movement, viewed through the political lens, was not
only a quest for legal equality but a profound catalyst for transforming the political landscape
of the United States during the period from 1954 to 1968. The movement, marked by pivotal
legislative acts, grassroots activism, and shifting political alliances, significantly altered the
dynamics of power and influence, setting the stage for broader social and political changes in
the subsequent decades.
Module 5 Short Responses – Question 6
Name three specific historical events that can be considered contributory causes of the
passage of the Voting Rights Act. Briefly explain why you believe each of these events
contributed to the passage of the Act.
1.
The Selma to Montgomery March (1965): The brutal attack on peaceful marchers,
including the infamous "Bloody Sunday," shocked the nation and garnered widespread
sympathy for the civil rights cause. The televised images of the violence generated
public outrage and increased pressure on lawmakers to address the systemic denial of
voting rights.
2.
The Murder of Civil Rights Activists, such as Medgar Evers (1963) and others: The
targeted violence against those advocating for voting rights highlighted the urgency of
the issue. Evers' assassination, in particular, garnered national attention and intensified
the demand for legislative action to protect civil rights activists and secure voting
rights.
3.
The 24th Amendment (1964): The elimination of the poll tax through the 24th
Amendment addressed one significant barrier to voting. By removing a practice that
disproportionately affected African American voters, it paved the way for a more
comprehensive reform of discriminatory voting practices, setting the stage for the
Voting Rights Act's consideration and passage.
Module 5 Short Responses – Question 8
Name three specific consequences caused by the passage of the Voting Rights Act.
Three specific consequences caused by the passage of the Voting Rights Act include:
1.
Increased African American Voter Registration: The Voting Rights Act effectively
dismantled discriminatory voting practices, such as literacy tests and poll taxes,
leading to a significant increase in African American voter registration.
2.
Expanded Political Participation: The Act facilitated greater political participation
among African Americans by removing barriers to voting. As a result, more African
Americans were able to exercise their right to vote, impacting elections and political
representation.
3.
Broader Impact on Voting Rights: The Voting Rights Act set a precedent for future
legislation and legal actions aimed at protecting voting rights. Its success marked a
milestone in the broader struggle for civil rights and inspired further efforts to
eliminate discriminatory practices in voting across the United States.
Module 5 Short Responses – Question 9
One of these scholars relied heavily on evidence about the
substance
of today's political
debate. Which scholar was that? What sort of evidence did he use?
The scholar who relied heavily on evidence about the substance of today's political debate is
David M. Kennedy. He used evidence related to the divisive nature of issues being debated in
today's politics, emphasizing the salience of polarizing issues such as abortion, gay marriage,
and issues of war and peace. Kennedy argued that these emotionally charged and
ideologically grounded issues contribute to the polarized nature of contemporary American
politics.
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Module 5 Short Responses – Question 10
One of these scholars relied heavily on evidence about the
political process
. Which
scholar was that? What sort of evidence did he use?
The scholar who relied heavily on evidence about the political process is Richard Pildes. He
used evidence related to the impact of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) on the political process,
particularly its role in ending the long-time Democratic Party dominance in Southern politics.
Pildes examined how the VRA initiated the transformation of Southern politics, leading to the
emergence of a more competitive two-party system, the breakdown of the one-party
monopoly, and the reconfiguration of Southern politics with an influx of new voters, mostly
black and white.
Module 5 Short Responses – Question 11
1.
What is the topic of this essay? Does the author make it clear in the introduction?
2.
What is the author's thesis?
3.
What kind of sources and evidence do you think the author will use to support
his thesis?
1.
The topic of this essay is the effort to desegregate public facilities, specifically
focusing on the first sit-in in Charleston led by local high school students.
2.
The author's thesis appears to be that a small, committed group of local high school
students and teachers played an integral, though overlooked, role in the civil rights
movement, as illustrated through the lens of the first sit-in in Charleston.
3.
The author is likely to use sources such as interviews with participants like Harvey
Gantt, historical records of the sit-in, possibly newspaper articles or local reports from
that time, and other primary sources to support the thesis. Additionally, the author may
use secondary sources to provide context and analysis of the role of local activism in
the broader civil rights movement.