TRIUMPH OF A CRUSADE

CHAPTER 29, SECTION 2

MAJOR DATES

1961: THE FREEDOM RIDES 1962: JAMES MEREDITH ENROLLS AT

OLE MISS 1963: THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON 1964:

– FREEDOM SUMMER– CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964

1965: – THE SELMA CAMPAIGN– VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965

KEY PLAYERS

JAMES MEREDITH GOV. ROSS BARNETT GOV. GEORGE WALLACE “BULL” CONNOR MEDGAR EVERS MLK ROBERT MOSES FANNIE LOU HAMMER

THE FREEDOM RIDES

WHEN? Spring, 1961 WHAT?

– Civil Rights “rides” from Washington, DC to New Orleans– Rides traveled through most highly segregated areas of

South WHO? C.O.R.E. organizes rides PURPOSE?

– Highlight injustice of bus segregation– Attract public & media attention to problem– Force state and / or federal gov’t. to end segregation

WHAT HAPPENS?– Rides attacked in Deep South (define)– Birmingham, AL is worst: “Bull” Connor

RESPONSE?– JFK sends federal marshals to protect riders

MEREDITH and OLE MISS

University of Mississippi: “Ole Miss” Ole Miss was segregated, like most Southern

universities Fall, 1962:

– James Meredith given court permission to enroll at Ole Miss– Gov. Ross Barnett refuses to allow it (see p. 865)

Response:– JFK orders federal marshals to ensure Meredith’s

enrollment– Q: What event is this similar to?

Result?– Violence, riots at Ole Miss– Federal marshals stay; ensure Meredith’s enrollment

MEREDITH AT OLE MISS

James Meredith Wounded, 1966

BIRMINGHAM

1963: MLK travels to Birmingham to hold civil rights meetings & stage nonviolent protests

Police Commissioner: Eugene “Bull” Connor Connor arrests MLK & other leaders MLK released, protests continue Connor responds w/force:

– Water cannon– Attack dogs– Clubbings, beatings, etc.– Tear gas

Event caught on film by mass media Civil Rights given more nationwide media attention

CONTEMPORARY EVENTS

1963: JFK orders Alabama Gov. George Wallace to integrate University of Alabama

Medgar Evers, NAACP officer, murdered in Jackson, Miss. by Byron de la Beckwith– Beckwith charged, released due to insufficient

evidence– 1994: Beckwith re-tried, convicted of murder

GOVERNOR GEORGE WALLACE, ALABAMA

“And I Say…

Segregation Now,

Segregation Tomorrow, and

Segregation Forever!”

Gov. George Wallace

THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON

When? August, 1963 Who?

– MLK leads effort– 250,000 Civil Rights supporters

Where? The Washington “Mall” Purpose?

– Pressure Congress to sign a law guaranteeing equal access to public accommodations

– Hopefully gain more national support / media attention Highlight: MLK’s “I Have A Dream” Speech Effect: LBJ signs Civil Rights Act of 1964

“I HAVE A DREAM” SPEECH Washington, D.C. - August, 1963

FREEDOM SUMMER

WHEN? Summer, 1964WHO? Robert Moses and SNCCWHERE? Deep South, especially MississippiPURPOSE?

-Increase African-American voter registration in Deep South-Push Congress towards new voting rights

laws-Gain media attention

RESULTS?-Extreme violence from white extremists, especially KKK-Murder, bombings, intimidation, etc. all used-Did not result in new voting rights laws

Freedom Summer Murder Victims

THE SELMA CAMPAIGN

WHEN? January, 1965 WHERE? Selma, ALABAMA WHO? MLK & SCLC PURPOSE?

– Voter registration in Deep South still needed attention– WHY? FREEDOM SUMMER had failed– MLK & SCLC decide to attempt same thing in AL

Results?– Much of the same (Shooting, beatings, arrests)– SCLC organizes protest march from Selma to Montgomery,

AL– Police violence attracts more media attention

Final Result? Voting Rights Act of 1965