Civil Rights Movement
By: Maddie Roberts
Introduction to the Civil Rights Movement
The civil rights movement began in 1954 and ended in 1968. Over the 14 years, the society became more accepting of blacks and whites sharing the same facilities. This was made possible by peaceful protesting, sit ins, desegregation in schools.
Tactics of the Civil Rights Movement
Sit ins was a main tactic of the civil rights movement. In these sit ins, protesters would be peacefully breaking segregation laws so that the jails would be overcrowded and the laws wouldn't be enforced. The law enforcement reacted violently to the breaking of the laws and attacked the protesters with fire hoses, tear gas, and police dogs.
Peaceful protesting was another main tactic that was used during this movement. People in these communities were trying to end segregation and discrimination against blacks so that they would have equal rights.
Peaceful protesting was another main tactic that was used during this movement. People in these communities were trying to end segregation and discrimination against blacks so that they would have equal rights.
Boycotts were another tactic that was used during this time period. The Montgomery bus boycott is the most well known boycott of the civil rights movement. During this time blacks would hitch-hike or walk to the places that they needed to go instead of riding the busses.
March on Washington
In August of 1963, nearly 200,000 blacks and whites met at the Washington Monument during the march. This is the march where Martin Luther King Jr delivered his "I have a dream" speech.
Segregation
During the civil rights movement, segregation was found everywhere. Blacks and whites were not allowed to share restrooms or drinking fountains, and they had to sit in certain parts of the restaurant or bus.
Peaceful Protesters
Those who protested peacefully during the civil rights movement were treated horribly by the law enforcement. They were sprayed with fire hoses and tear gas, and attacked by police dogs.
Unsung Heros
George Lee is my favorite unsung hero from the civil rights movement because he was trying to help lead the blacks to pay polls to vote. Lee was shot and killed by a passing car on his way home and the sheriff's department refused to investigate his death.
My second favorite unsung hero is Medgar Evans. He was a volunteer soldier, and when her returned home from the war he wasn't allowed to vote. Upon arriving home he was shot by a sniper from across the street.
Maddie's Top 5 Events of the Civil Rights Movement
- March on Washington: This event is important because blacks and whites gathered together at the Washington Monument where they listened to a variety of speeches.
- Brown vs Board of Education: This event is important because this is when the Supreme Court told all white student schools to start allowing blacks.
- Selma to Montgomery Marches: This event is important because it took them three tries to get all the way from Selma to Montgomery.
- Montgomery Bus Boycott: This event is important because the blacks were protesting against the public transportation system in Montgomery.
- Little Rock Nine: This is an important event because the Little Rock nine were the first black students to attend an all white school.