The Civil Rights Movement

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The Civil Rights Movement (90:00) Civil Rights Anniversary, :00) Read "The Progressive Legacy," by Sowell, from Enterprise/Salt Lake City (2012). Explore "Civil Rights" on the Library of Congress website. Read "The Women’s Rights Movement," located on the U.S. House of Representatives website. Explore "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair located on the Gutenberg website.

View "Black/White & Brown: Brown v. The Board of Education of Topeka" from Digital Films. View "Amendment 13: The Abolition of Slavery" from Digital Films. View "Amendment 14: Civil Rights of Citizens" from Digital Films. View "The Progressive Era" from Digital Films. View "Civil Rights: Selma to Montgomery" from Digital Films. View "The March on Washington, 1963" from Digital Films. View "Let Freedom Ring: Moments from the Civil Rights Movement" from Digital Films.

HST-144 Civil Rights Movement Matrix Part I: Utilize the Topic 6 Readings as a resource to complete the "Civil Rights Movement Matrix." Be sure to cite and reference all sources. Summarize and state the significance of each of the snapshots of the Civil Rights movement.

The first one is an example. This assignment uses a scoring guide. Instructors will be using the scoring guide to grade the assignment; therefore, students should review the scoring guide prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment. While GCU style format is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and in-text citations and references should be presented using GCU documentation guidelines, which can be found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. You are not required to submit this assignment to Turnitin.

Here is an example of a snapshot:

Second Mississippi Plan: The Second Mississippi Plan was a series of laws that established barriers for former slaves from participating in voting, including poll taxes and literacy tests. These measures were designed to disenfranchise African Americans and maintain white supremacy in the southern states. The laws effectively prevented many former slaves, many of whom were illiterate or poor, from exercising their voting rights. These policies initiated in Mississippi were later adopted by other Southern states, solidifying a system of racial segregation and inequality that persisted for decades. This legal and social structure was challenged during the Civil Rights Movement, leading to landmark decisions and legislation such as Brown v. Board of Education and the Civil Rights Act. (citations)

The significance of this snapshot lies in its illustration of institutionalized racial discrimination and the legal strategies used to uphold segregation and white dominance, which civil rights activists sought to dismantle through protests, legal challenges, and legislative reforms.

Paper For Above instruction

The Civil Rights Movement was a pivotal period in American history that aimed to end racial discrimination and promote equal rights for African Americans. This movement was characterized by a series of legal battles, protests, and legislative acts that collectively reshaped the societal landscape of the United States. The various "snapshots" of this movement, including landmark court cases, protests, and legislative milestones, depict the struggle and resilience of those fighting for justice and equality.

One of the earliest significant steps was the passage of the Second Mississippi Plan, which exemplified the systemic strategies used to disenfranchise African Americans after the Civil War. Poll taxes and literacy tests were legally instituted to suppress Black voters, effectively reversing the gains made during Reconstruction. This legal disenfranchisement was part of a broader strategy to maintain white supremacy through institutional means. Civil rights advocates viewed these laws as a direct threat to democracy and worked tirelessly to challenge their legitimacy, culminating in federal legislation and court rulings that aimed to restore voting rights (Foner, 2014).

The Brown v. Board of Education case (1954) represented a major judicial victory against segregation. The Supreme Court declared that "separate but equal" facilities were inherently unequal, thus striking a blow to the Jim Crow laws that enforced racial segregation. This decision galvanized the Civil Rights Movement, leading to more direct actions such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the formation of organizations like the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (Pitts, 2012). The protest led by Rosa Parks and the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. embodied nonviolent resistance as a powerful tool for social change.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a landmark legislative achievement that prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It addressed segregation in public facilities and employment, effectively dismantling legal barriers to racial equality. This act, combined with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, laid the foundation for ongoing efforts toward racial justice and equity (Bass & Reynolds, 2018). Key moments like the March on Washington and Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech symbolized the movement's ideals and its call for a racially integrated society.

The movement also faced setbacks and resistance, exemplified by the violence during the Selma to Montgomery marches and the persistence of segregationist policies. Nevertheless, these struggles highlighted the resilience and unity among civil rights activists. The Civil Rights Movement fundamentally transformed American society, leading to greater awareness and legislative protections against racial discrimination (McAdam & Boudin, 2012).

In conclusion, the Civil Rights Movement was a complex and multi-faceted struggle that involved legal challenges, grassroots activism, and extraordinary leadership. The snapshots examined—such as judicial rulings, protests, and legislation—represent essential moments that collectively advanced racial equality in the United States. Through persistent efforts, this movement altered the social fabric, promoting justice, equality, and human dignity for generations to come.

References

• Bass, L. J., & Reynolds, K. (2018). The Civil Rights Movement and the Politics of Change. Routledge.
• Foner, E. (2014). Give Me Liberty!: An American History. W.W. Norton & Company.
• McAdam, D., & Boudin, R. (2012). The Dynamics of Social Movements. Oxford University Press.
• Pitts, J. (2012). Side by Side: The Civil Rights Movement and the American Political System. Routledge.
• Schwartz, B. (2010). The Civil Rights Movement: A Photographic History, 1954–1968. Abrams Books.
• Oates, S. B. (2014). Let the Trumpet Sound: A Life of Martin Luther King, Jr. HarperOne.
• Sitkoff, H. (2008). The Struggle for Black Equality. Hill and Wang.
• Kelso, P. (2010). Civil Rights: Racial Discrimination and the Law. Greenwood Press.
• Carson, C. (2016). In Struggle: SNCC and the Black Awakening of the 1960s. Harvard University Press.
• Garrow, D. J. (2010). Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. W. W. Norton & Company.