the civil rights movement after 1965. before 1965… for the most part, civil rights movement was...
TRANSCRIPT
Before 1965…
For the most part, Civil Rights Movement was united Common goals of ending de jure segregation
and protecting black voting rights in the South. United behind non-violent protest
Civil Rights Movement attracted a lot of national media attention Kept movement in the news and spread ideas Gained a lot of national sympathy and support
1965
Voting Rights Act of 1965 is passed by Congress protecting the right to vote for African-Americans
De jure segregation and voting rights issues have been tackled.
Now what? Poverty? Housing discrimination? Living conditions in cities? Job opportunities/discrimination? Stay in South or move North? De facto segregation?
The Movement Splits
After 1965, the Civil Rights Movement splits: Different groups had different objectives
Some wanted to continue in the South, while others wanted to protest in the North
SCLC and SNCC and other groups began to disagree on objectives
Different groups had different strategies Non-violence Militancy
Segregation in 1965
De jure segregation was virtually non-existent in the U.S. after 1965
De facto segregation was still common in both the North and South “White flight” to the suburbs More difficult to change because you
have to change people’s attitudes and thinking instead of repealing laws
Living Conditions For Many African-Americans
Many African-Americans across the nation still working in lower paying jobs Result of years of discrimination and racism Poor educational opportunities Unemployment rate was twice as high as the rate of
white workers Led to a lack of economic power and poverty
“White flight” to suburbs African-Americans left in city neighborhoods Neighborhoods were aging and decaying Economic circumstances also made it difficult for
African-Americans to reverse this decay
Northern Cities
Landlords often did not comply with housing and health standards Often charged inflated rent prices
Schools in these neighborhoods were often deteriorating as well
Lack of opportunity, poverty, and lack of change in the North causing mounting frustration
Urban Riots
Clashes between black civilians and police African-Americans felt police were unfairly targeting
them 1964 and 1965, clashes with police escalated
into rioting 1965 Watts Riot left 34 dead and millions in damage
Many whites, who supported the movement, losing interested and some are angry Violence alienated some whites Some whites thought movement was over with the
segregation/voting rights victories
Civil Rights Movement Breaks Apart
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. continued to advocate non-violence Still had the largest following
among the Civil Rights activists
Most accepted by government officials and most whites
Many are losing patience with Dr. King Not seeing the same results
as before 1965 Frustration is mounting Many wanted to try something
else
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Malcolm X
Born Malcolm Little Long criminal record Converted to Islam
while in jail Changed name to
Malcolm X, dropping his “slave name”
Becomes minister for Nation of Islam
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Malcolm X Continued
Taught that blacks should separate from white society “If you think we are
here to tell you to love the white man, you have come to the wrong place”
Advocated armed self-defense against white attacks
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Effect of Malcolm X
Inspired many young, frustrated African-Americans Stress in racial
pride Critical of Dr. King
Reference to violence scared many whites
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Change in Malcolm X
Broke from Nation of Islam in 1964 over strategy
Made trip to Mecca Religious center of
Islamic faith Saw whites and blacks
living equally Changes his philosophy “Ballots or Bullets”: Use
the ballot to change things before using a bullet
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Assassination of Malcolm X
1965: Malcolm X goes to Harlem to give a speech
Malcolm X is shot and killed
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James Meredith Injured
1966: James Meredith is shot while on a protest march Members of SCLC,
CORE and SNCC finish his march
SCLC begins singing “We Shall Overcome” on March
SNCC and CORE begin singing “We Shall Overrun”
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SNCC Becomes More Militant
Stokely Carmichael of SNCC is arrested for setting up a tent on public property He later arrived at a
rally, obviously beaten
Crowd very angry
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Carmichael’s Speech
Carmichael gave speech critical of lack of movement in Civil Rights movement
Used phrase “Black Power” Call for black people to
define their own goals and lead their own organizations
Urged black pride Urged SNCC to stop
recruiting whites
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SNCC Breaks with MLK
Dr. King asked SNCC to stop using Black Power slogan Sounded too
militant and violent SNCC refused Young students in
SNCC becoming more militant
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Black Panthers
Political party founded in Oakland by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale Fight police brutality in
ghettos of Oakland Preached self-defense Advocated black
communities become self-sufficient (Black Power)
Wanted full employment for blacks
Wanted decent housing for blacks
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Black Panthers in Community
Black Panthers dressed in all black Violent episodes between Panther and
police hurt image in mainstream media Set up daycare centers, breakfast programs
and medical clinics to help those in the ghettos Won support of many young and impoverished
African-Americans Reference to violence and arrests hurt image in
mainstream
Martin Luther King, 1968
Dr. King in Memphis to help support a strike amongst garbage workers
King assassinated by James Earl Ray
His death sparked riots across the country
Civil Rights movement further splinters De Facto leader was
killed
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The Role of the Media
Civil Rights groups used the media to inform Americans of fight in the South before 1965
1964: Start of Vietnam War Media now covering the
war Not as much coverage of
Civil Rights Movement Lack of coverage hurt
movement
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