Civil Rights Movement in the United States, from Jim Crow to the Voting Rights Act.

1. CIVIL RIGHTS FROM JIM CROW
TO THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT

2. CONTEXT
 In the aftermath of the CivilWar, southern states undertook a series
of measures to ensure continued white domination of politics and
society.
 Jim Crow Laws enacted and enforced racial segregation beginning in
1890 with a “separate but equal” status for African Americans.
 Jim Crow will remain in place (at least officially) from 1890 until 1964-
65 with the passage of the Civil Rights Act andVoting Rights Act – and
even then, it’s not over.

16. DISENFRANCHISEMENT INTHE SOUTH
 In the aftermath of the CivilWar, numerous obstacles are
introduced to prevent black voting:
 Grandfather Clause states that one cannot vote unless their
grandfather had voted; can be bypassed by the literacy test.
 Literacy tests were largely subjective tests given out to potential
black voters. Almost impossible to pass and administered by
white registrars.

17. DISENFRANCHISEMENT
(CONT.)
 Property requirements stipulated
that in order to vote, one must own a
certain amount of property.
 PollTaxes were used as well to
disenfranchise black voters, many of
whom were too poor to pay for
voting.
 Every measure taken meant, in some way or
another, to prevent influence of minorities on
state and local government.

18. THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
 Between 1954 and 1968, the Civil Rights
Movement gathers traction in order to end
racial segregation and discrimination.
 Largely a peaceful, nonviolent protest
movement meant to bring awareness to
the public about inequality in Southern
states.
 Martin Luther King Jr. acts as figurehead
for a large, diverse movement.

19. ACHIEVEMENTS
 The Civil Rights Act of 1964 bans discrimination based on race,
color, religion, or national origin in employment practices and
public accommodations. Signed in to law by Lyndon B. Johnson
in July, 1964.
 The Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibits racial discrimination in
voting practices by enforcing the Fourteenth and Fifteenth
Amendments to the Constitution.
 The Fair Housing Act of 1968 provides equal opportunities for
housing regardless of race, creed, or national origin.

20. SELMA
 Selma largely tells the story of the
passage of theVoting Rights Act of
1965.
 VRA considered the most important
piece of Civil Rights legislation by the
Department of Justice.
 Registration of black voters after
passage jumps from 1/3 in 1965 to ½
in 1967.

21. SIXTIES’ MUSIC ACTIVITY
 In front you, you have a protest song from the sixties. On your own, analyze
the song by answering the following questions:
 What is the subject of the song?To what (or whom) is the artist
responding?
 What is the tone of the song? (As in, what emotions does the song
convey)
 What sort of language does the song employ?What is the effect of such
language?
 What references do you understand in the song?What references do you
not understand? Note and list all of the cultural references.
 What does the song tell you about the civil rights movement?
I will be playing the songs as you work. Be sure to listen for your song, stop
writing, and enjoy the music!