The other central element of our study is the Civil Rights Movement 1955-92.
Campaigns for improved freedoms came from groups right across the country, from Native Americans to Women and from Hispanic immigrants to gay people. Our main focus, though, is the African American struggle for civil rights and many of you will choose to complete your coursework on this topic.
To begin to understand this, read the article linked here, watch the video and complete the task below.
Answer the questions below and be prepared to discuss in class;
What were the Jim Crow laws? What triggered their introduction?
Despite not having legal segregation, in what ways was life still challenging for black Americans in the north?
What did the Supreme Court rule in Plessy v Ferguson? How did they justify their decision?
What were the four main ways that black Americans were disadvantaged by 1955?
Which type “inferiority” do you think would have had the biggest impact on life for black Americans?
How did early campaigners fight for better Civil Rights? Why do you think they weren’t successful at this stage?