Impact Of John F Kennedy On The Civil Rights Act Of 1964

In 1960, John F. Kennedy was elected president of the United States. During his campaign he had promised to lead the country down the right path with the civil rights movement. This campaign promise had brought hope to many African-Americans throughout the nation. Ever since Lincoln, African-Americans have tended to side with the democrats and this election was no different. The Kennedy administration had noticed that the key to the presidency was partially the civil rights issue. While many citizens were on Kennedy’s side, he had his share of opposition. Malcolm X differed on the view of the President and observed that the civil rights movement wasn’t happening at the speed Kennedy had pledged. Malcolm X possessed other reasons for his

Does everyone deserve civil rights? John F. Kennedy believed so during the Civil Rights Movement. The Civil Right Movement began around 1950 and ended around 1970. A few of the major leaders were Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and John F. Kennedy. The purpose of the Civil Rights Movement was to end discrimination and prejudice among whites and blacks. Many African Americans did not have the same rights as Caucasians mainly due to their skin being a different color. A famous speech delivered by John F. Kennedy was “The Nation Faces a Moral Crisis Regarding Race” on June 11, 1963 at Washington D.C.. A major theme of John F. Kennedy's speech was racism. In “The Nation Faces a Moral Crisis in Regard to Race”, John F. Kennedy inspires his intended audience during the Civil Rights Movement by using the rhetorical devices of tone and repetition.

Although Kennedy never signed the legislation he set the groundwork for the civil rights movement. He proposed the idea and did most of the foot work, even kennedy's death helped pass the bill. After Lyndon took office, he was determined to carry out kennedy’s ideas. It only took a couple of months after Kennedy died for the bill to be passed (http://loc.gov/). Johnson used the nation's sympathy to propel the campaign forward. The campaign was doing so well after his death that it went further than Kennedy had ever imagined, the bill would go on to set up the NAACP and ended the poll

During the early 1930’s through the mid 1960’s there were many different approaches African American’s took for achieving social changes, and the Civil rights they deserved. Many great African American leader’s such as Martin Luther King Jr, Malcom X, and James Baldwin contributed towards the betterment of blacks living in America. Aside from individual African American leaders there was also groups that fought for black civil rights such as The Black Power Movement, Black Panthers, and Civil Rights Activist. Other events that transpired during this time period had also effected the civil rights movement in America. For instance: The altercation with Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white male ultimately led to The Montgomery Bus boycott protest,

Kennedy did to expand the United States was his involvement in the civil rights movement. He personally helped many African Americans by making phone calls. For example, when Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested for protesting in Atlanta, Kennedy personally called to help secure his release safely. When Kennedy was elected to office, he appointed many African Americans to high level positions and strengthened the Civil Rights Commission (Civil Rights Movement). The fall after Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, the civil rights bill began clearing hurdles and won over support of House and Senate Republican leaders. John F. Kennedy was assassinated before the bill was able to pass, however the Civil Rights Act was passed as a way to honor President Kennedy. The passing of this act was a major step in achieving full legal

Even though President John F. Kennedy did not fully support the civil rights movement at first because of the fear of losing his voters, he still was the one who planted the seeds for the Civil Rights Act of 1964. After the riots in Birmingham he decided to support the movement to its fullest. He supported the March on Washington for jobs and Freedom and had plans to make a stronger Civil Rights Act to our conclusions. He never got to see the Civil Rights Act of 1964 because he got assassinated on November 22nd,

President Kennedy was initially concerned about the march. Multiple incidents in America prior to this protest, have contributed to his concern that the protest would become violent and that the support for his civil rights bill would be weakened. Some incidents include the events that had occurred in Birmingham, Alabama and the 1896 court case involving Homer Plessy and Judge John H. Ferguson. These occurrences utilize violence and industrialize racism and discrimination. ____In 1963, thousands of African-Americans had participated in nonviolent protests, boycotts, and voter-registration drives in Birmingham, Alabama. Although the protesters had exhibited nonviolent resistance, authorities had reacted to their actions with violence. On page

The focus of this investigation will be “To what extent did the assassination of John. F Kennedy affect the civil right movement?” The years from 1963-1964 will be the focus of this investigation, to allow for the analysis from the year of Kennedy’s assassination and to the end of the civil rights movement. This investigation will mainly focus on Lyndon B. Johnson participation during the civil rights movement but also other outside factors. This includes Martin Luther King. Lyndon Johnson and the Great Society and Legacies of the 1964 Civil Rights Act are the two main sources used.

With public support Kennedy was willing to wage in the political war that would inevitably ensue. Kennedy and Johnson both were very aware of the walls that Congress would build to stop any proposals involving civil rights. Immediate and effective action became the new focus.

Later, due to the events of the boycott, Martin Luther King Jr. emerged and was the movement’s “most effective leader” (Clayborne Carson). He is known for his nonviolent tactics and his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech. Martin Luther King Jr. was also a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and later became the president of the SCLC in 1957 following the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Kennedy was assassinated,this horrible event was the beginning of a new era for a new president. Lyndon B. Johnson was the vise president for JFK, throughout the 1950’s he worked to obstruct the passage and enforcement of civil right laws. Lyndon B. Johnson reassured a grieving nation that “the ideas and the ideals which Kennedy so nobly represented must and will be translated into effective action.” That is exactly what Lyndon B. Johnson did, in his first term he accomplished many goals and displayed dedication to reunite America. On July 2, 1964 Johnson signed the Civil Right Movement, it prohibited discrimination in most places of public accommodation; outlawed discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color,religion, sex or national origin. The Civil Right Movement was the most significant civil rights legislation since Reconstruction, it was the beginning of the colored people’s success. This legislation not only made America an equal field for everyone, but Johnson started to earn the support and love from the Americans, specifically the African Americans. Lyndon B. Johnson was reelection in 1964, capturing 61% of the popular vote and 94% casted ballots for Johnson. In August 1965, Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law, aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote as guaranteed under the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Accomplishing this in his second term was an outstanding accomplishment, not only did Johnson keep his word but also is demonstrating that he is ready to do more for the country. This victory streak didn’t last forever, America got involved in War. LBJ’s presidency was dominated by the Vietnam War. United States attacked villagers and their homes, American citizens had no idea. The U.S had many as 4 million people into refugees, refugees that were innocent and noble people. By late 1968, the U.S

By the 1950’s and 1960’s, a breaking point was reached and blacks were tired of being mistreated. Many Civil Rights groups began to form, like the SNCC, and leaders, like Martin Luther King Jr., began to rise. As document 5 shows, these groups goals were to use peaceful protest and civil disobedience to demonstrate the societal unrest that is occurring and the need for political action. Upset at the racial injustice instigated by “Jim Crow Laws” and racism, these groups, through demonstrations such as the Greensboro Sit-ins, the Montgomery Bus Boycotts and the March on Washington, brought to public attention to the African Americans’ dreams of to finally getting the rights they were promised with emancipation. This could be further demonstrated by the “I Have a Dream” Speech. In this speech, given in March of 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. discusses a future for America that lives by the standard that all men are created equal. This outside resource, along with various other movements, lead to further public outcry. As document 6 shows this grew to a point to where political action needed to be done. To Kennedy and his successor (Lyndon B. Johnson), this was a huge moral issue that couldn’t be ignored or else the nation would tear itself apart. This ultimately lead to the passing of the acts like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act. These acts were a major victory and largely paved the way to future equality for African

Lyndon B. Johnson was very influential during the civil rights movement, but what is apparent is the JFK had a tremendous part in the movement. JFK had actually worked with Dr. Martin Luther King in introducing legislation to further civil rights for minorities, but due to his assassination, much of the work was pushed by Johnson. Johnson viewed his era as the Great Society and intended to build on the New Deal or should I say Fair Deal. Overall, some of the legislation that he sponsored was the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and also the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Many have speculated that the support and push for these bills by Johnson were merely an attempt to honor JFK, for who diligently pushed for

President Kennedy was forced to face the civil rights as a persuasive cause. He was for racial equality, but did little to support it. President Kennedy felt that the Freedom Riders were a nuisance and he

Kennedy went on, however, to risk his political career for these same rights. In response to an outburst at the University of Mississippi after the admittance of a black student, the president said from the oval office on June 11, 1963, “It ought to be possible, in short, for every American to enjoy the privileges of being American without regard to his race or his color. In short, every American ought to have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated, as one would wish his children to be treated.” Despite Kennedy’s assassination shortly after this proclamation, the Civil Rights Act passed through Congress just weeks later under President Johnson. As JFK intended, the Civil Rights Act afforded equal rights to whites and blacks alike (Kozak).