As we have seen there were many changes

¨ As we have seen there were many changes taking place in America—most good, but some were relegated to pre-War traditions prejudicial and biased. ¨ Many African Americans joined the Military to prove their dedication and sacrifice to their country; ¨ Upon returning to America they founf “Jim Crow” alive and well.

¨ After WWII, the federal government began a policy of erasing racial segregation. ¨ It began with the government study “To Secure These Rights” (1947) that suggested that America’s racial policy was hazardous to the security of the nation and contradictory to racial, political, social and spiritual harmony. ¨ Pres. Truman followed up with eliminating racial segregation in the military and governmental hiring practices (July 1948).

¨ Though the Democratic Party split over the issue of Civil Rights, Pres. Truman’s victory with his Pro-Civil Rights stance proved it was not necessarily a political suicide stance; ¨ Also, Baseball integrated in 1947, When Jackie Robinson broke the colo barrier

¨ Then in 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education Topeka, Ks—this was the land mark case ending segregation in America; erasing Plessy vs. Fergusen (1896). ¨ The Supreme Court ruled that separate but equal was inherently inferior—and could no longer be legally or morally sustained; ¨ The Warren Court used sociology and psychology to prove segregation was not only unequal, but detrimental to one’s well-being. (use doll analogy) …

¨ Chief Justice Earl Warren had been the State Court Judge allowing for the internment of the Japanese during WWII; ¨ South was horrified that he had changed his mind on segregation—fatal flaw, however, “integration was to take place at all deliberate speed”

¨ Regardless of obstacles legal or illegal, Civil Rights activism accelerated in the late 1950 s and early 1960 s—Why was this? ¨ The modern leaders were more dynamic with different visions and methods: No more accommodation or aggressive antagonism—yes there was some, but different more intellectual approach. ¨ A more legal—constitutional approach—began with Thurgood Marshall and the New NAACP team of Lawyers—change would be legal, not necessarily revolutionary.

¨ The Exodus is a sense a beginning of the new Civil Rights movement—Thousands of African Americans fled the agriculture South and filled the Urban cities—mostly relegated to Ghettos; ¨ There blossomed a new African American Culture in the Harlem Renaissance and a political voice; ¨ African Americans began to create a unique artistic, social, economic and most importantly political voice.

¨ The Harlem Renaissance and the Great Exodus helped create two important aspects to African American Culture: ¨ 1) A powerful voting bloc; and ¨ 2) A national movement for civil rights ¨ This came about as many Americans White and Black realized that segregation was uniquely Southern—it was a national problem—The NAACP took steps to combat these injustices.

¨ NAACP Lawyers such as Thurgood Marshall developed organizational strategy around two principles: ¨ 1) the movement had to appeal to the consciences of the White northerners ¨ 2) It also had to appeal, or not be threatening to northern white politicians.

¨ The first march on Washington was organized by A. Phillip Randolph; A prominent civil rights and labor leader in the union of the Sleeping Car Porters. ¨ The March was planned for March 1941 to protest against New Deal policies not reaching the most distressed part of society—African Americans—and to end discrimination gainst Blacks in government and the military.

¨ FDR feared that a march on Washington would embarrass his administration; he called Randolph to the White House: ¨ Randolph made three demands: ¨ 1) immediate end to segregation and discrimination in federal hiring policies; ¨ 2) immediate end to military segregation; ¨ 3) Government support to end all segregation and discrimination in all American employment

¨ FDR issued Executive Order 8802, Fair Employment Practices Committee ¨ Though nothing much came of it due to Dec 7 1941, a group of civil rights activists created CORE in 1942 (congress of racial equality). ¨ After WWII, civil rights got a boost because many White’s also formed civil rights alliances with black groups; ¨ The election of 1946 proved that many districts could be heavily influenced by the black vote.

¨ Though Truman failed in many of his civil rights policies, he was the first President to actively support and push Civil Rights. ¨ Eisenhower, tried to avoid the issue as to inflammatory—he thought it wrong, but also said, “I don’t believe you can change the hearts of men with law. ” He did under political duress send troops to Little Rock and enforced the Brown decision—record essentially abysmal.

¨ By the time Eisenhower entered the White House, the Civil Rights campaigns were developing a life and momentum of their own; ¨ The “Graduate School Cases” preceded Brown and dealt with ensuring ‘Separate schools were truly Equal. ’

¨ Dr. Martin Luther King, jr. bounded onto the scene in the early 1950 s, in response to the Busing issues in Montgomery Alabama. ¨ As a Preacher he had time and also the organization and oratory skills to organize a cohesive and successful movement to end Bus segregation: ¨ He used and preached Nonviolent Civil disobedience.

¨ Rosa Parks, a local NAACP member, tested the legality of Bus segregation—since it dealt with the commerce clause of the constitution ¨ Montgomery Ala, 1955 convinced to act by local civil rights leaders, she refused to give up her seat—she was consequently arrested. ¨ NAACP women met and arranged a protest by boycotting the Bus system and electing Dr. Martin Luther King, jr. to lead the boycott. ¨ It was successful eliminating one racial barrier and the encouragement to try other barriers.

¨ King maintained routine Church meetings and kept a fire under community solidarity; ¨ It was a year long boycott that proved successful. ¨ “There comes a time when people get tired of being kicked around by the brutal feet of oppression. ”

¨ Dr. King organized carpools and had regular services to keep up enthusiasm; ¨ A word: It was the women mostly that filld the ranks of the NAACP and local organizations; ¨ It was Preachers that led the new activism; they had time and did not have to fear losing their jobs for their activism

¨ Power of the media; ¨ New tactic: any and all protests were organized around the availability and access to media, mostly TV and large Newspapers; ¨ Always inform the media of an event—if the ‘White Extremists’ over reacted as King knew they—Posterity would record them as the evil aggressors against peace loving Americans seeking justice.

¨ CORE, SNCC, and SCLC all had seminars and training sessions to protect themselves, but without violence. Always maintain the moral high ground. ¨ Dr. King used the Bible as an effective weapon—he would recite a bible verse to his audience White and Black; ¨ God is Love, peace amd mercy, not violence against one’s fellow men ¨ “are we not all God’s children? ”

¨ In Atlanta, mayor Hartsfield realized what the NAACP was doing—getting media coverage against racist cities and administrations. ¨ He had accepted segregation, but he also decided he could live without it. ¨ “Atlanta, the City to busy too Hate”

¨ Southern resistance: over 100 southern congressmen signed the “Southern Manifesto” against integration. ¨ The country seemed to be splitting along the old North/South seams again. ¨ Eisenhower signed the 1957 Civil Rights Act, then called in the troops at Little Rock to force the state to comply to a federal mandate

¨ The Civil Rights ctreated two things: ¨ 1) A National Civil Rights Commission; ¨ 2) Empowered the Justice Department to enforce universal suffrage, no more rules or gimmicks to keep minorities from voting. ¨ First piece of Civil Rights legislation since Reconstruction; ¨ JFK, like Eisenhower, did not want to define his administration on civil rights and racial issues—he dragged his feet.

¨ JFK knew he needed the ‘Solid South’ which was a large number of segregationists; as a Northern catholic, he needed their votesto win and keep the White House. ¨ He disliked what was happening in the South, but did very little: Dr. King in fact had a higher opinion of Nixon than he did of JFK

¨ In spite of Kennedy, three major events or cumulative actions took place; ¨ 1) Greensboro, NC. 4 Black college students sat a Woolworth’s segregated Lunch Counter—they endured much silently and without retaliation.

¨ 1961—Freedom Rides; CORE members decided to test the Bus segregation depots in the South challenging the interstate commerce act— Brown had ended segregation in public facilities and accommodations, ie resturants, cafes, motels etc along the interstate highways

¨ 1963 and 1964 were the most violent. ¨ Birmingham Ala was to be the scene at Easter time for a confrontation with Public Safety Commissioner, Theophilus Eugene “Bull” Connor. Dr. King was confident “Bull” would over react— ¨ Connor used fire hoses and attack Dogs against the marchers—and later after King was eventually talked into it—Connor did the same to the young children. Now JFK had no choice but to send in the U. S. Marshall’s and the Troops.

¨ It was at this time that King wrote the famous “Birmingham Jail Letter. ” He said this was an international problem not just a local problem; ¨ Later in the year, they felt ready to organize the march on Washington DC where King gave the famous “I Have A Dream Speech. ” ¨ Kennedy knew now that something had to be done—he introduced the 1963 Civil Rights Bill. State’s Rights was a shelter for the extremist to hide.