What was the Civil Rights movements
Decade long struggle in the 1950s and 1960s aimed to end racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans in the Unites States and ensuring equal rights
Origin of the Civil Rights movement
- The American Civil War ended slavery in 1865, but African Americans continued to face systemic discrimination and were far from achieving equal rights.
- The 1896 Supreme Court decision in Plessy v. Ferguson upheld racial segregation under the “separate but equal” topic, leading to the creation of Jim Crow laws
- The establishment of the NAACP (1909) by Black and white activists laid the groundwork for challenging racial inequality and promoting equality, marking the official beginning of organized civil rights movement.
Jim Crow Laws
Jim Crow laws were a set of state and local laws that enforced racial segregation in the American South from the 1870s to the 1960s
When was the NAACP formed and what was its goal
The National Association for Advancement of Coloured People was formed in 1909 to increase racial equality and challenge policies like the Jim Crow Laws
Causes of Civil Rights movement
- Black citizens were systematically disenfranchised through violence, and high taxes to their right to vote
- Jim Crow laws enforced segregation in schools, transportation, and public spaces, treating African Americans as second-class citizens
- Economic inequality persisted as African Americans were denied access to equal jobs, housing, and public services, deepening racial disparities in society.
disenfranchised
deprive someone of the right to vote
Key events of Civil Rights movement and what did it show
- Brown v. Board of Education (1954) declared school segregation unconstitutional, paving the way for integrated schools in the U.S., with the first opening in 1955.
- The Little Rock Nine (1957) was when nine African American students integrated into a high school in Arkansas, facing significant resistance but breaking barriers in education.
- The Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955), initiated after Rosa Parks’ arrest, demonstrated the power of nonviolent protests and brought national attention to the civil rights movement.
March on Washington
- In 1963Martin Luther King Jr organized the March on Washington, which was primarily focused on working opportunities and freedom for the blacks
- Over 250,000 people attended it
- It ended on the Lincoln Memorial with MLK giving his iconic speech ‘I have a Dream’
- This march significantly influence John F kennedy and other US leaders to act on civil rights
Martin Luther King Jr
African American minister and activist who emerged as the leader of the movement, advocating nonviolent resistance and delivering iconic speeches like “I Have a Dream”, which inspired millions.
Rosa Parks
American activist who through her defiance during the Montgomery Bus Boycott, became a national symbol of dignity and courage in the fight against racial injustice.
Malcom X
Provided contrasting belief to that of Martin luther King Jr as he belived the Blacks should have their seperate nation and should protect themselves from white violence
Impact and Legacy of the Civil Rights movements
- It Led to landmark policies which ended segregation in public spaces, eliminated racial barriers to voting.
- Social attitudes began to shift as schools and public institutions integrated, and systemic racial discrimination became illegal, inspiring other equality movements worldwide like the Apartheid movement
- The movement’s long-term legacy includes milestones like the election of Barack Obama as the first Black president of the United States
Policies implemented after the Civil Rights movement
John F Kennedy proposed the Civil Rights Bill in 1963 to the national congress to end segregataion in puclic spaces. This bill was accepted following his death
Voting Right Act - happened in 1965 which ended the prejudiced voting system
What did MLK do during the Montgomery bus boycott
This incident inspired a young 26 year old MLK who helped organize the boycott from his church. This was also the first time when he achieved heavy influence
Southern Christian Leadership conference
After the Montgomery incident, MLK helped from the Southern Christian Leadership conference, a collation of black leaders and church leader who pushed for integration
All major events of Civil rights in order
- End of American Civil war made Blacks equal but seperate = 1865
- Plessy vs Ferguson case of 1896 and later, the JIM CROW laws were also formed
- Formationn of NAACP in 1909
- Brown vs Board of education of Topeka case in 1954,
- led to opening of first integrated school in 1955
- Montgomery Bus Boycott Incident and Rosa Parks = 1955
- Fomration of the Southern Christian Leadership conference in 1957
- Little rock nine in 1957
- March on Washington in 1963
- Civil rights bill in 1964
- Voting rights act of 1965
Origin of the Salt March protest
- The British colonial government imposed heavy taxes on salt, a basic necessity, making it unaffordable for many Indians and symbolizing colonial exploitation.
- Mahatma Gandhi’s 11 demands to Viceroy Irwin as an ultimatum werent fullfilled, leading to the creation of the civil disobedience movement and the salt march which saw a mass participation for the fight for independance
- Gandhi used this as a way to unit the indians in the fight for freedom
Key events of the Salt march
The march happened from march 12th to april 6th in 1930
On April 6th Gandhi broke the salt law by producing his own salt from seawater
This movement resulted and widespread protests, and strikes across India with a lot of leaders as well as common people being arrested
Importance and Lgeacy of the Salt march
- The Salt March gained international attention, exposing British colonial oppression and garnering sympathy for India’s independence movement.
- It strengthened the Civil Disobedience Movement, mobilizing millions and increasing pressure on the British government to negotiate with Indian leaders.
- The march became a lasting symbol of peaceful resistance, influencing global leaders and movements like Martin Luther King Jr.’s civil rights activism and Mandela’s anti appartheid movement
Major indians impacted after the arrest of Gandhi
Usha Mehta - Who made an undercover radio named the Congress Radio 42.34 to spread the messages of Gandhi and other activists to the common people
French Revolution in short
France was in severe debt, but the clergy and nobility continued to enjoy their lives on the back of the war. While the Lower class made up 98% of the population, however they were the one treated very unfairly.
After the death of his granfather, Kind Louis th 16th became King of France in 1774. He tried to stabalise France’s economy by firstly going against the British and funcing the American Revolution. bu tAmerica didnt pay them back and France was in severe financial crisis. Due to this, taxes on the poor people increased and the worst part was that the taxation rules were incosistent across the country. A series of natural disaster further added to the anger of the 3rd Estate and the 1st and 2nd estate had to pay very little tax.
Seeing the turmoil that France was in, King Louis 16th summoned the Estate General, but due to its unfair voting system, Taxes ont he 3rd estate were increased.
Seeing this injustice, the 3rd estate formed the National Assembly and formed their own governemnt with laws to take over France. They violently protested against the elites, and majority were led by Women. This protest includes the Storming of the Bastille Prison
After months of protest, on Oct 5th 1789, they finally retreated the King to a corner and forced him to resign. The new constitution was made in 1791 and Republic of France was declared in 1792.
price the frrench paid for the french revolution
the monarchy was overthrown, but France paid a heavy price: civil unrest, wars, and instability for decades. Violent revolutions often destroy more than they build.
Storming of Bastielle - French revolution
Happened in 1789
- KNown as the event which officially marked the starting of the French revolution and started the widespread unrest and mob violence
- Commoners armed themselves and marched towards the Bastille Prison
- They killed all nobility and guards present there and put the heads of their victims on their spears as a symbol of power
- They went to the prision in search for gunpowder and weaponry
Womens March on Versailles - - French revolution
On October 5th 1789, Thousands of women with bread in their hand (as a symbol of oppression) marched towards King Louis the 16th hideaway palace in Versailles.
The demanded the king to return ot Paris and accept their orders of a Democratic and Republic France
This showed how even ordinary citiznes, espacially women gained immense poltiical power and influence during the revolution
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unit 1 + 1.5 - IR and Sociology62
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unit 2 - Biomes26
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unit 3 - globalisation65
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unit 4 - economic agents65
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unit 5 - Growth vs Development34
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unit 6 + 7 - Population and Urbanisation117
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unit 8 - protests31
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Unit 9 - Peace and conflict63
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Unit 10 - Resource Extraction33
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unit 11- Empires and Superpowers22
