29 2 Kennedy Johnson Civil Rights CORE Congress

29. 2 – Kennedy, Johnson, & Civil Rights

CORE Ø Congress of Racial Equality Ø Plans Freedom Rides – desegregate interstate buses Ø Freedom riders are routinely attacked Ø Kennedy sends Federal Marshalls

Protests in Birmingham Ø To integrate public facilities Ø Provide better jobs & housing opportunities Ø Protestors know violence to stop protestors will horrify Americans

Protests in Birmingham Ø SCLC recruits children to march Ø Police use dogs & fire hoses Ø RESULTS: • Desegregate lunch counters • Take down segregation signs • Employ more African Americans

March on Washington Ø Ends at Lincoln Memorial • Over 250, 000 marchers Ø King gives his “I Have a Dream” speech Ø President Kennedy promises his support

Civil Rights Laws Ø Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas (Nov. 1963) Ø Lyndon Johnson promises to continue Kennedy’s policies Ø Result: Civil Rights Act of 1964

Civil Rights Act of 1964 Ø Bans segregation in public places Ø Creates “Equal Employment Opportunity Commission” • Prevent job discrimination • Promote “affirmative action” Ø Voting standards must be equal

Voting Rights Ø African Americans have trouble registering to vote despite legislation ensuring right Ø Freedom Summer • Brings Northern college students to Mississippi to register voters • They experience bombs, beatings, arrests, murders while working

Why Mississippi…? Ø Mississippi is chosen for Freedom Summer because, in the 1960’s, 86% of nonwhite families live below national poverty line. Half of population is black, but only 5% are registered to vote. Ø Literacy tests are given (reading & interpreting state constitution), graded by whites. African Americans w/ doctorate degrees fail while whites w/ little education pass.

Voting Rights Act - 1965 Ø Bans literacy tests & other laws that keep blacks from registering

Pres. Johnson’s Program Ø Great Society – programs to ensure fair voting & provide for poor, elderly, women Ø Legislation promotes education, ends discrimination, protects environment

MLK Assassination Ø Memphis, TN – April 4, 1968 Ø Riots break out nationwide – African Americans angry about his assassination Ø Many African American Groups resort to violence (“Black Power”)