Civil Rights Movement

2020 AP US History | Unit 8 SOCIAL CHANGE Source: Packed adapted from Georgia Virtual ‐ Shared Content SOCIAL CHANGE ‐ INTRODUCTION Introduction: Remember during Radical Reconstruction when African Americans were allowed to vote and have greater opportunities in society? You also may remember that those rights were taken away after Reconstruction and a system of racial segregation emerged. During the mid‐20th Century, new leaders emerged to lead a movement that pushed for equal rights in society. In the 1950s and 60s, African Americans successfully challenged segregation, won voting rights, and made other gains. Civil rights legislation was a part of a much larger drive of equality for a variety of groups. American involvement in Vietnam grew over time until half a million U.S. troops were involved in a ground war to prevent the spread of communism. As the war dragged on, many Americans became involved in a movement to end American involvement in the conflict. Richard Nixon began withdrawing troops and pursued a policy of attempting to relax Cold War tensions known as detente. Later, his involvement in the Watergate scandal led to his resignation. The 1970s featured many challenges on the economic front with unemployment, inflation, and gas prices rising rapidly. Essential Questions: How did the Civil Rights Movement achieve major goals in restoring and expanding equality and access for many Americans? Why did Vietnam become such a controversial war that had a large impact both in foreign policy and domestic affairs? What were some of the major events and challenges of the 1970s? Module Minute: During the 1950s and 60s people rose up against institutionalized discrimination. The entrenched system of Jim Crow was shook from its foundations as Martin Luther King, Jr. and others led the African American community in non‐violent civil disobedience. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 ended segregation in all places open to the public and the Voting Rights Act one year later opened up political power to previously disenfranchised voters. Other causes were advanced in addition to equal rights for African Americans including: women's rights, Hispanic rights, and environmentalism. The Vietnam War raged and ended up being a divisive issue. In the 1970s Richard Nixon resigned amid the Watergate Scandal and large numbers of Americans became distrustful of the government. The economy also faced struggles in the decade as well. What to Expect: Key Concepts Assignment Check Quiz Virtual Visit: National Civil Rights Museum Document Analysis Assignment Check Quiz: The Tumultuous 60s Discussion: The Vietnam War Essay: The 1970s Test: MC and Short Answer Don't forget to read the chapter(s) on the Social Change period in your textbook! Reading assignments from the following textbook have been included: America’s History for the AP Course (9th Ed.), by James A. Henretta, Rebecca Edwards, Eric Hinderaker, and Robert O. Self. In addition, the following exam preparation book is recommended for all learners: AMSCO Advanced Placement United States History, by John J. Newman and John M. Schmalbach, 2020 Edition. Assignment: Read pages 744‐747 and page 810 in your textbook. Describe what you will learn in this unit after you read the pages above and review the key terms in the pages that follow. Key Terms: Review key terms. Return to review the key terms as you encounter them in the rest of the module. Warren Court ‐‐‐ activist court headed by Chief Justice Earl Warren. It’s rulings often overruled state laws in favor of individual rights and desegregation. Miranda v. Arizona ‐‐‐ controversial decision of the Warren Court that stated police must inform people of their rights prior to arrest. Jackie Robinson ‐‐‐ became the first African American to play for a major league baseball team when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Harry Truman ‐‐‐ the U.S. President who issued an executive order in 1948 to desegregate the federal government, including the armed forces. Brown v. Board of Education ‐‐‐ landmark Supreme Court ruling in 1954 that forbade segregation in public schools, struck down the “separate but equal” doctrine of the Plessy v. Ferguson case (1896). Martin Luther King, Jr. ‐‐‐ was the most prominent leader of the civil rights movement, a Baptist minister who advocated a strategy of non‐‐‐violent civil disobedience. TV News Coverage of the Civil Rights Movement ‐‐‐ Americans saw much of the violence directed toward civil rights protesters on the nightly news and this helped turn sympathies toward ending racial segregation. Letter from a Birmingham Jail ‐‐‐ written by MLK to address the fears of some white religious that he was moving too fast on desegregation. I Have a Dream ‐‐‐ is MLK’s most famous speech, delivered to a quarter million people in Washington D.C. in support of the Civil Rights Bill. Civil Rights Act of 1964 ‐‐‐ prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, national origin, and gender for any place or organization open to the public. Voting Rights Act of 1965 ‐‐‐ outlawed literacy tests and removed barriers from keeping African Americans from registering and voting. Vietnam War ‐‐‐ was a war between the communist north and pro‐‐‐West south. The U.S. was directly involved with combat troops in the late 1960s and early 1970s; after the U.S. troops were withdrawn communist North Vietnam took over South Vietnam. Tet Offensive ‐‐‐ this 1968 surprise offensive was named after the Vietnamese New Year. The U.S. and South Vietnamese militarily won, but it was a psychological and political defeat for the U.S. as much of the American public began to turn against the Vietnam War. Anti‐Vietnam War Movement ‐‐‐ gained strength in the late 1960s as the Vietnam War became more unpopular, centered on college campuses and opposed to the draft (selective service). Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. ‐‐‐ in 1968 MLK was shot and killed in Memphis, TN. Race riots erupted in many U.S. citizens as the civil rights movement had lost its greatest voice for non‐‐‐violence. Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy ‐‐‐ shot and killed in 1968 while running for the Democratic presidential nomination on a platform of reform and opposition to the Vietnam War. 1968 Democratic National Convention ‐‐‐ held in Chicago, it is remembered for the violent street clashes that occurred between police and anti‐‐‐war protesters. Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) ‐‐‐ founded by MLK and others to carry out non‐‐‐violent acts of civil disobedience. Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) ‐‐‐ founded as student wing of the SCLC and spearheaded the sit‐‐‐in movement at lunch counters, later became a more militant and violent organization. Sit‐Ins ‐‐‐ a tactic employed by civil rights protesters, especially at lunch counters, where they would enter a business and sit there until they were served or forcefully removed. Freedom Rides ‐‐‐ civil rights advocates would ride interstate buses in defiance of segregation laws affecting buses and stations. Women’s Movement ‐‐‐ women began pushing for a larger role in society in politics, working outside the home, social equality, and reproductive issues. National Organization of Women (NOW) ‐‐‐ a group that led much of the women’s liberation movement and the push for the Equal Rights Amendment. Sexual Revolution ‐‐‐ a dramatic shift in attitudes toward sexual morals that began in the 1960s. Traditional attitudes were challenged by a greater acceptance in society for divorce, pre‐‐‐marital sex, cohabitation, abortion, and homosexuality. United Farm Workers’ Movement ‐‐‐ organization founded by Cesar Chavez that wanted higher wages and better benefits for agricultural workers, especially migrant workers. Cesar Chavez ‐‐‐ led the United Farm Workers and a nationwide boycott of California grapes that were picked with non‐‐‐union labor. Environmental Movement ‐‐‐ is a movement that began in the 1960s that promoted conservation and preservation of the earth and its natural resources. Silent Spring ‐‐‐ book published in 1962 that brought forward dangers from pesticides; helped lead to passage of the Water Quality Act of 1965. Rachel Carson ‐‐‐ the author of Silent Spring which jump‐‐‐started the modern environmental movement. Earth Day ‐‐‐ began in 1970 as a way to heighten awareness of environmental issues; still observed by thousands of schools each year. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ‐‐‐ created by President Nixon in 1970 to set limits on pollution, conduct environmental research, and assist state and local governments in cleaning up polluted sites. Conservative Movement ‐‐‐ a reaction to the more liberal movements and the changes that they were causing in society. Conservatives were alarmed at the challenges to traditional values, the expansion of government, and saw many of the anti‐‐‐war protesters as unpatriotic Barry Goldwater ‐‐‐ Republican Senator from Arizona who lost the 1964 Presidential to Johnson in a landslide, but is credited with launching the modern conservative movement. Roe v. Wade ‐‐‐ 1973 Supreme Court case that legalized abortion based on a right to privacy. Regents of University of California v. Bakke ‐‐‐ 1978 Supreme Court Case on affirmative action that ruled that race can be considered in college admissions, but not racial quotas. Richard Nixon ‐‐‐ elected to the Presidency in 1968, his presidency featured significant changes and ended in major scandals. Détente ‐‐‐ a French term for “relaxed”. Beginning with Richard Nixon and continuing throughout the 1970s, the U.S. soughta less confrontational approach toward communism and the Cold War in general. Nixon’s Visit to China ‐‐‐ in 1972 Nixon visited China to seek scientific, cultural, and trade agreements; this resulted in closer relations with China and leverage in the rivalry with the Soviet Union. Watergate Scandal ‐‐‐ centered on the Nixon’s administrations attempt to cover up a burglary of the Democratic headquarters. It led to the resignation of Nixon and a greater feeling of distrust by the public towards government and lawyers. Gerald Ford ‐‐‐ took office when Nixon resigned, he pardoned Nixon and struggled to deal with the economic recession.

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