Introduction
The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950's and 1960's was meant to eliminate segregation and gain equal rights for black Americans... effectively ending the Jim Crow Laws. Black American men had been granted the right to vote in 1870 under the 15th Amendment to the Constitution. This amendment stated that the right to "vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude." But despite the amendment, the black vote was blocked by discriminatory laws for the following century. Blacks were physically and emotionally intimidated to be kept away from the polls. Many were harmed or killed. Both by choice and by law, blacks and whites were kept segregated in a public spheres, perpetuating stereotypes and misunderstandings about one another, and deep cultural traditions developed. This included prejudice against interracial relationships and children.
Using this website, consider the question, "What is the proper pace of change?" Is it strange that it took black people over 100 years to get more secure access to the vote? Do some of these same issues or ideologies still exist today? Were leaders ahead of their time?
Using this website, consider the question, "What is the proper pace of change?" Is it strange that it took black people over 100 years to get more secure access to the vote? Do some of these same issues or ideologies still exist today? Were leaders ahead of their time?
Instructions
Explore the website and complete the Civil Rights Activity, found on this Document. Digitally, you will answer the questions by:
- Reading through the Timeline and journaling about your observations. What events or incidents stand out to you as significant? Choose at least three to discuss in your reflection.
- Exploring key People of the Movement and completing the activities on each page.
