How Did Historians Contribute To The Civil Rights Movement

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." - - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Our Founding Founders established the federal government with three distinct branches, each with powers over the other in order to have a proper checks and balances to ensure fairness across the board. The U.S. Constitution outlines the powers and responsibilities of the three branches of government and is a critical document for the federal government. Important laws and documents such as The Bill of Rights, The US Civil Rights Act and The Freedom of Information Act (FoIA) are managed by our Constitution. Below we will discuss three subjects which set up a diverse broad range of viewpoints that are essential in our democracy.

The Civil Rights Movement was a pivotal time in American history, leading us toward the acceptance and advancement of African Americans in society, and eventually the same for other minority groups. The movement as a whole spanned from around the beginning of the 1950’s to around the beginning of the 1970’s. All across the nation, African American people fought for their rights through numerous protests and boycotts. Some notable events are the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, and the Greensboro lunch counter sit-ins. Many forms of legislation and many judiciary decisions were made during this era, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 1968, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and Brown v. Board of Education (“A Timeline of the Civil Rights Movement FOOTSTEPS OF COURAGE”).

Chapter 21 Question 2: What key issues and events led the federal government to intervene in the civil rights movement? What were the major pieces of legislation enacted, and how did they dismantle legalized segregation?

The 50s, 60s and 70s were a tumultuous time in American society. Roles were constantly being redefined. Events like the war created upheaval in the lives of many individuals and everyone was scrambling to find his or her place in society. The same was profoundly true for blacks in America. No societal movement had a more profound effect on the lives of Black Americans than did the Civil Rights Movement. The status of Black Americans would be redefined to a revolutionary degree. Civil rights leaders including Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X would bring the cause to the national stage. Although the movement was plagued with violence and death, it was eventually successful. The South was radically changed from a society of

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution form what is known as the Bill of Rights. In essence it is a summary of the basic rights held by all U.S. citizens. However, Negro citizens during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950-70’s felt this document and its mandate that guaranteed the civil rights and civil liberties of all people; were interpreted differently for people of color. The freedoms outlined in the Constitution were not enforced the same by the government of the United States for the black race as it did for the white race.

The latter part of the Civil Rights Movement was characterized by action and change as it was no longer centralized in the South or only fought for by black individuals. Rather, northerners were active in achieving black equality and the white community was campaigning for integration. Although many lost their lives in this struggle, their valiancy did not go unrewarded and soon enough African Americans were able to vote, work, study, and simply eat lunch beside white individuals.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and Rosa Parks are, perhaps, the most notable figures of the Civil Rights Movement. However, long before these activists took the stage, “black men and women, acting mostly as individuals but numbering in the thousands, waged guerilla warfare on the infrastructure of Jim Crow” (Litwack, 2009). Since then, numerous civil rights activists emerged to fight against the unjust infrastructure of racism and segregation in the

After the 1960s Civil Rights Movement led by African Americans, many Native Americans also were motivated to gain civil rights for themselves. After they were forced to live on reservations, and things were getting worse for them, such as poverty, low employment, and poor education. They were not even permitted to vote even though they were born in the country. It wasn’t until 1958 that they were allowed to vote in every state. Native Americans were ready for change during this movement. A big step in helping Native Americans during the Civil Rights Movement was the Indian Civil Act Right of 1968. This law guaranteed a lot of the rights that are also in the Bill of Rights. Also before this time in 1961 an organization called the National Indian

The civil rights of African Americans were a concern among the majority of Americans before the Civil War. During the war, it became evident that this was the primary cause of the war. The North reigned victor, and with the Emancipation Proclamation, all the former slaves were set free in the South. This was the first step for African Americans to achieve permanent civil rights, but the effort was temporarily put at rest when Reconstruction ended. Ultimately, it was the opposition in the South, and the changing mindset of northern Republicans that made Reconstruction a failure in achieving permanent African American civil rights.

Personally, I believe it is difficult to place ourselves in the shoes of the senators that were faced with these decisions. Looking back at these speeches now, I can truly see the hard work and mental strain that these men went through in order to place this bill. When using these speeches as historical sources, I think we should consider several things. The time period in which they were given, the position each Senator stood for, and the general purpose behind it. For example, when looking at most filibusters we would not consider them as credible sources mostly because they are used to “drag out the debate and exhaust their opponents by simply reading from the newspaper or telephone book.” (pg.248) However, this was certainly not the case when regarding the Civil Rights Bill.

“It have been a couple hundred years; now let’s do what The Declaration of Independence actually said,” (Powell). In regards to the mandate of freedom, does freedom come through peace or violence? In reflection of history, some citizens of a free country believe a brick flying into a church window during a service halts religious or political oppression for their cause. Other community members think that sitting at a diner that they are not welcome at creates a dialogue that changes laws for equality. History has shown that both of these means have proven a method for liberty for the masses at various times throughout generations. The Revolutionary War was a violent period where man took up arms for equality. The civil war also marked the same outcome. Yet other moments, such as The Civil Rights Movement of 1960’s was lead through positive resistance for success. Middle Eastern countries are finding momentum also through peace. Perhaps it was the day in which young preacher stood up and declared a dream that changed our country to look at a dream for humanity and tranquility that made all the

The Civil Rights Movement of the 50's and 60's was arguably one of the most formative and influential periods in American history. Hundreds of thousands of civil rights activists utilized non violent resistance and civil disobedience to revolt against racial segregation and discrimination. The Civil Rights Movement began in the southern states but quickly rose to national prominence. It is of popular belief that the civil rights movement was organized by small groups of people, with notable leaders like—Martin Luther King, Jr, Rosa Parks, Medgar Evers, and even John F. Kennedy—driving the ship. That is partly correct. The Civil Rights Movement, in its truest form, was hundreds of thousands of people organizing events and protests,

The American declaration of independence stated, that: “All men are created equal”. But in the 19th century only whites were born with equal opportunities. Africans were imported as slaves and had to work on the fields of the whites. Until 1865 the Negroes were treated and looked at as something lower than human. They were compared to apes, and therefore just owned the same rights as animals. They were raised believing that whites were superior. It took them years to realize that they have to stand up for their rights. The uprising turned into a brutal civil war.

Since the 1960’s, a lot of things has changed for people’s civil rights: segragation was abolished, LGBT+ people can marry, people can transition, and women are able to do as much as a man. But, there is still a way to go as some things still hasn’t changed at all. The LGBT+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender +) rights still have a ways to go and there is still justice and rights needed for women.