The Civil War was a turning point in the quest for equality in America. Despite its role in the long awaited abolishment of slavery, the black community in America still continued to endure discrimination at all levels. It is this discrimination that gave birth to the quest for social justice and equality. This article expounds on African American Civil Rights Movement Facts.
In the years that followed the Civil War, there was a clear lack of commitment to end the habitual discrimination of black people, a habit that was more prevalent in the southern states of the nation. Towards the middle of the twentieth century, a vast majority of blacks felt they could not take it anymore. With support from a considerable number of whites, they partook in protests that spanned the course of two decades.
It is no secret that there was a genuine attempt to bring equality after the historic abolishment of slavery. If one moment best chronicles this attempt, it is the passing of the fourteenth amendment. It was passed in 1868, granting every black person equal protection as provided by law. In 1870, a redraft resulted in the 15th amendment, allowing the black population to participate in elections through voting. This particular law maddened a great number of southern based whites, with lots of them viewing blacks as less significant beings due to their history as slaves.
The resulting hatred brought about the Jim Crow laws in the south, passed towards the end of the 19th century. The laws were primarily aimed at segregating the population based on race. Blacks were disallowed from utilizing the same public utilities, including schools, as whites. Interracial marriages also became illegal. Moreover, skewed voter literacy tests made it difficult for blacks to attain the right to vote.
Luckily, northern states did not take up these laws. However, discrimination continued unabated. An ordinary black would have to go through hell to get educated or purchase a house. A handful of northern states even passed legislation limiting the black population from voting.
A number of events led up to the start of the historic activism of the 1950s and 1960s. It all started on the 1st of December, 1955. Rosa Parks, a 42 year old lady, took up her seat on a bus after work in Montgomery, Alabama. Back then, segregation laws required blacks to seat at specific seats at the back of buses, which is exactly what Parks had done.
After taking her seat, a white man hopped on but could not get a place to seat. The driver then instructed four blacks, including Parks, to give up their seats. Upon resisting, she was arrested.
This incident caused a furor among the black community. A justice and equality movement, led by Martin Luther King Jr, was then formed. The peaceful protest staged by its participants eventually resulted in segregated seating arrangements being declared illegal. In the years that followed, including after the assassination of Dr. King, equality was finally achieved in education, employment, housing and the general American social system.
In the years that followed the Civil War, there was a clear lack of commitment to end the habitual discrimination of black people, a habit that was more prevalent in the southern states of the nation. Towards the middle of the twentieth century, a vast majority of blacks felt they could not take it anymore. With support from a considerable number of whites, they partook in protests that spanned the course of two decades.
It is no secret that there was a genuine attempt to bring equality after the historic abolishment of slavery. If one moment best chronicles this attempt, it is the passing of the fourteenth amendment. It was passed in 1868, granting every black person equal protection as provided by law. In 1870, a redraft resulted in the 15th amendment, allowing the black population to participate in elections through voting. This particular law maddened a great number of southern based whites, with lots of them viewing blacks as less significant beings due to their history as slaves.
The resulting hatred brought about the Jim Crow laws in the south, passed towards the end of the 19th century. The laws were primarily aimed at segregating the population based on race. Blacks were disallowed from utilizing the same public utilities, including schools, as whites. Interracial marriages also became illegal. Moreover, skewed voter literacy tests made it difficult for blacks to attain the right to vote.
Luckily, northern states did not take up these laws. However, discrimination continued unabated. An ordinary black would have to go through hell to get educated or purchase a house. A handful of northern states even passed legislation limiting the black population from voting.
A number of events led up to the start of the historic activism of the 1950s and 1960s. It all started on the 1st of December, 1955. Rosa Parks, a 42 year old lady, took up her seat on a bus after work in Montgomery, Alabama. Back then, segregation laws required blacks to seat at specific seats at the back of buses, which is exactly what Parks had done.
After taking her seat, a white man hopped on but could not get a place to seat. The driver then instructed four blacks, including Parks, to give up their seats. Upon resisting, she was arrested.
This incident caused a furor among the black community. A justice and equality movement, led by Martin Luther King Jr, was then formed. The peaceful protest staged by its participants eventually resulted in segregated seating arrangements being declared illegal. In the years that followed, including after the assassination of Dr. King, equality was finally achieved in education, employment, housing and the general American social system.
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