...Rosa Parks and the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott HIST102 American History since 1877 The civil rights movement in the United States was a struggle against the racial discrimination and segregation the African Americans faced prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Dating back nearly 100 years, when the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, black people in the South had been fighting for equality from the moment they were freed from slavery. There were many events that contributed to the civil rights movement. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was established in 1909. Jackie Robinson broke the color lines of Major League Baseball in 1947. In 1954 Congress overturned the Plessy vs Ferguson ruling, determining that segregated schools naturally unequal. In 1963 more than 200,000 blacks and whites marched to the nation’s capital to protest racism and hear Martin Luther King Jr’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech. In 1964 the Civil Rights Act was passed, forbidding racial discrimination in schools, employment, hotels, public transportation, etc. Following the Civil Rights Act was the Voting Rights Act in 1965, which was instrumental in the expansion of black voters. There were many more events that helped shape the development of the civil rights movement and in the following information will discuss one in particular: The 1955 arrest of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott. Rosa Parks was born on February 4, 1913. She worked...
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...Birmingham movement was a culmination of King’s ideas, theology, experiences and civil rights tactics’. How far do you agree with this statement? Martin Luther King undoubtedly played a key role in helping black people win civil rights through the Birmingham movement in 1963. However it can be argued that his leadership though effective was only partly responsible for the gains made by the campaign; as the opposition changed their tactics, Martin Luther King’s ideas and theologies were tested and therefore he was made to harness alternative strategies that had been initiated by other civil rights activists. Essentially the Birmingham movement was crafted to allow the best possible outcome. King preached a distinctive philosophy based on the teachings of Jesus and the example of Mohandas Gandhi. He believed that all Christians should love their enemies and never retaliate. Nonetheless, he also taught that Christians should stand up to injustice. Consequently, he advocated civil disobedience and direct action, insisting that protest should always be peaceful. The perseverance shown through peaceful protest won mass support from both the public and media making it difficult for Federal government to ignore demands. King involved in provoking the authorities but it can be said that the brutality stimulated from such protests was what gave King the upper hand; it provided him with the driving force to challenge the system. Peaceful protest was applied to the Birmingham movement, since...
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...RESISTANCE & RACIAL JUSTICE The Civil Rights Movement was a movement that gave African Americans equal rights and freedom. One person who was important during this time was Martin Luther King, Jr. He was a strong advocate that used non-violent resistance against the racial oppression of African Americans. Racial justice is where everyone is treated equally and not discriminated against. No matter if a person has a different type of skin color, they should not be treated differently. The way King did this was speaking to people of other races. One of his well-known speeches was “I have dream.” He claimed that black people should have equal rights as the whites. “One day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.” Martin Luther King, Jr. wanted Americans to be unified. He wrote about six necessary characteristics of nonviolence and was inspired by Gandhi. Though these were big part of the movement, King really gave much emphasis to it by fighting for freedom, and treating people equally. Three significant aspects that he brought to The Civil Rights Movement were strength of spirit, friendship, and willingness to accept suffering without retaliation Black people bonded together during The Civil Rights Movement in 1950s and 1960s. When people were gathered in the fight for freedom, it kept their spirits strong...
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...Cultural Characteristics of African Americans The largest minority population in America, African Americans helped to build the foundation and culture of the United States of America from the beginning. Separated from their original homeland and culture, Black slaves struggled to find a new identity, religion, language, and core set of family values. Despite hardships like slavery, segregation, lack of proper education, and divided families, African Americans created a unique, spiritual, and creative culture that thrives in modern times. Definition of African Americans The term African American refers to any Black American who is a citizen of the United States. Every Black American of African descent falls into this racial and cultural category. According to 2010 census data, they are the second largest demographic group after Whites and the largest minority population in America. History All people within the African American culture share the common history of enslavement, acculturation, and racial oppression. This history and cultural heritage provides a common bond that gives relevance to the African heritage. The most important historical bond is the recognition that most all African Americans descended from slaves. Slavery The first slaves were introduced to the English-American colonies by a Dutch trader. He sold 20 slaves to settlers in Jamestown, Virginia. After this initial trade the larger global trade pattern between Europe, Africa, and...
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...perils of capitalism and how that system is slanted against Americanized Africans” (“Dr. Martin...
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...The Movement of The Past Throughout history, mankind has struggled to determine what is ethical and what is not. There are many leaders who stand out for their courageous efforts to change what was wrong with society to create a better place for posterity. These leaders go down in history as bold, brave heroes of our time and are looked upon for guidance. A more current movement than that of slavery, is the Civil Rights Movement, which still continues to have a huge effect on the United States of America, as well as other nations across the world. Two leaders that stand out and affect all of us personally are Malcolm X and Rosa Parks. These two distinct individuals broke away from the unjust laws and regulations that they had to abide by...
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...were: the oppression of women during the suffragette movement in the UK and the oppression of African Americans in the USA in the 1950s. Using explorative strategies and acted drama we brought these cases to the stage and appreciated for ourselves how fortunate we are that individual people have so bravely taken a stand against unacceptable social norms. The Suffragette Movement began in 1866 when the first campaigns for woman’s suffrage appeared; it began at this time because the Industrial revolution had lead to women’s full time employment, working together and being able to discuss political issues. Suffrage means the right to vote, and that is what the Suffragettes were campaigning and protesting for, they felt that they were being oppressed by the Government as they did not have the same rights as men. The Suffragettes protested in many ways; some of their protests were violent, and so when they were imprisoned they went on a hunger strike. Another form of getting public attention on the Suffrage movement than protesting was what Emily Davison did at The Derby. On 4th June 1913, the Epsom Derby, a horse race, was held. During the race, Emily Davison threw herself in front of the horse owned by King George V and died four days later in hospital. In my opinion, what Emily Davison did was a courageous act and made a statement in the name of what she believed in, the Suffrage movement. It drew attention to the movement and played a role in it’s succession in 1928. I believe...
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...How far were the actions of the African Americans the main reason for the advancement of the Civil Rights in the period 1865-1980? “Power concedes nothing without demand, it never has and it never will”[1]. Said by Fredrick Douglass in 1857, an escaped slave who had bearded the brunt of the slave years. He had come to the realisation that African Americans had a fountain of “power”; however that power that they possessed would never establish anything without a “demand”. Fredrick Douglass awoke the conscious of African Americans to make them realise that wanting to be free and wanting to achieve full civil rights was not enough, neither was enduring a life under white supremacy waiting for life after death to see a new dawn .Believing and hoping was not enough. “Power concedes nothing without demand” the solution is to be willing to work hard to establish it yourself by demanding what belongs to them. However using power in order to concede civil rights was a struggle which was acknowledged by Fredrick Douglass “Without struggle there is no success”. To achieve advancement in African American Civil Rights, African Americans had to undergo a process of struggle. A rainbow is not made without rain; you can not want rain without thunder and lightening being accompanied by it. To achieve full civil rights African Americans had to pay the price along the way which was persecution, de-humanisation and scrutiny. Martin Luther King being inspired by Fredrick Douglass said “Freedom...
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...The young college protestors used the act of civil disobedience to voice their anger with the country’s unfair policies. Their main goal was to put an end to the segregation on lunch counters in restaurants. When the Greensboro 4 peacefully protested J.W. Woolworths, many other colleges and citizens around the world began to follow. It wasn’t the intention of Ezell, Joseph, Franklin, or David to spark such a big movement but blacks were so outraged with the slow pace to equality. While the precedent of Brown v. Board of Education and the positive outcome of the Montgomery Bus Boycotts helped blacks, the country remained to have unfair policies which limited the success of African Americans. Whites were viewed as superior and were in control of the justice system. A lot of whites didn’t agree with the sitins because they didn’t want to eat with blacks nor wanted to enter a store that’s being protested by blacks. It ruined the businesses of white owners and many whites acted out violently towards the peaceful protestors. Sadly, hundreds of black students were arrested and fined for their actions but didn’t accept bond. They wanted to make a statement and they did because America looked bad by having so many young college students in jail. Luckily, people around the world like Senator John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr. and many churchgoers supported the Sitins and helped them reach their goal of desegregation. This movement brought whites and blacks together for a positive change...
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...The Leadership of Martin Luther King Jr. Abstract The visionary leadership of Martin Luther King Jr. influenced a nation, and ultimately affected a dramatic change in the area of Civil Rights. The achievements he accomplished in the arena of Human rights still serve as a platform for social change today, even decades after his death. Martin is hailed as a classic Charismatic and Transformational Leader, whose masterful rhetorical skills and personalized leadership empowered many Americans to stand up and claim their rights as American citizens. This paper will provide an analysis of Martin Luther King’s leadership style, and speak briefly about its development. We will discuss his background and the factors that greatly influenced his success as a leader. We will also cover Martin’s application of influence tactics, such as rational persuasion and inspirational appeals, and reveal an almost textbook ideal of leader, follower and situation dynamics. In general, we will discuss his vision and finally pinpoint the factors that ultimately led to his rise in power. “Always bear in mind that your resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing.” Abraham Lincoln, U.S. President. Introduction Of all of the leadership styles that have been studied, observed and researched throughout the ages, Charismatic and Transformational Leadership, are cited as being the most powerful. Martin Luther King Jr. is definitely one of the most charismatic and transformational...
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...ways in which we live. Ever since slavery was abolished in the United States, equality has been spread amongst African Americans throughout the world. This was achieved by the African Americans themselves, with their strong effort in fighting for what they felt was right. Following their strong attempts, “A terrible price had to be paid, in a tragic, calamitous civil war, before the new democracy could be rid of that most undemocratic institution” (G. Loury, 2015). A huge part of this time period was the Civil Rights movement. This movement was led by strong leaders that helped secure equal opportunities and privileges for African Americans. Although slavery was not officially outlawed until the 13th century amendment was passed, at end of the war slaves were set free. In M. Stevens (2015), “Fasts about the Slave Trade and Slavery, The Gider Lehrman Institute of American History,” slave trade and slavery itself has been thoroughly described. Steven starts off by stating that the United States had the highest natural increase in slave population. He then goes into slave trade, and explains what a slave would go through on a normal work day. This ties into the fact of the actual cost of slaves, and how vastly it changed through the years. The following line from the text demonstrates this idea, “During the 18th century, slave prices generally rose. Though they fell somewhat before the start of the revolution, by the early 1790s… Prices rose to a high of about $1,250...
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...have inflicted change upon society through their views. Martin Luther King Jr. and Cornel West are two examples of famous thinkers that has through years of trials and tribulations, had their personal journeys turn into societal change. This paper will chronicle their personal journeys and how their contributions changed the way society acts today. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929. He was raised in an environment where African-Americans were singled out and isolated in the southern part of the United States. He enrolled and graduated from a public school at the age of fifteen and earned his diploma in Sociology from Morehouse College in 1948. He later enrolled at a graduate school in Boston where he met his wife, Coretta Scott, who understood Martin’s purpose in the African-American society. Martin continued the legacy of his father and grandfather and joined the Ebenezer Baptist church, serving as co-pastor alongside his father. In this little Baptist church is where Martin Luther King Jr. began to instill has beliefs and values amongst the African-American society. As an African-American minister and belligerent leader, people looked up to him as he fought for the rights of the African-American society. Cornel West was born on June2, 1953 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He attended Harvard and received his graduate degree from Princeton. His influential book, Race Matters, was published one year after the Los Angeles riots. He was admonished by Harvard president Laurence...
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...American Civil Rights Background Timeline of events / Personalities 1860: Abraham Lincoln elected US president. * Made the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, a law which would see the release of all slaves in America. * Belief that the slaves should be freed was a key factor in sparking the American civil war. 1861: The American Civil War begins at fort Sumter. * Fought between the United States of America, who opposed slavery, and the Confederate States of America, a new nation established by seven slave states in the south. * Not the only reason for the civil war, slavery was a key issue being fought over. 1865: The 13th amendment is passed, permanently outlawing slavery. * Shortly after the surrender of all confederate forces, ending the civil war. 1866: The civil rights act is passed by Congress. * The first to define US citizenship as well as state that all citizens were protected by the law. * It is expected that the act was passed, despite being vetoed repeatedly by President Andrew Johnson, in order to protect the rights of African-Americans. 1870: The 15th amendment is passed, giving the black man the right to vote. 1875: A bi-racial senate and House of Representatives passes the civil rights act. * Designed to protect all Americans in their access to accommodations and facilities such as restaurants. * Never enforced and was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme court in 1883 1896: The Supreme Court introduces...
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...Nelson Mandela was known as a world leader for his role in fighting apartheid and being the first multi-racial president of South Africa. His presidency created a significant change in the perception and building of a multiracial society in South Africa and around the world. Nelson Mandela was also known to be a leader of a civil rights organization known as the African National Congress. The purpose of the African National Congress was to demolish racial segregation and discrimination. The two most significant social changes made by Nelson Mandela was his uniting of a fiercely divided country and his creation of a truly democratic society in South Africa. A great leader will always fight for what they believe in. Nelson Mandela's dream was building a society in which all South Africans could live in freedom and prosperity. He wanted a free, non-racial, and non-sexist society for all South Africans. In Mandela’s early years he was raised by the Thembu tribe located on South Africa’s southeastern coast. He wanted to escape the Thembu traditions of marrying a woman of his regent’s choice so he fled to Johannesburg. In Johannesburg, Mandela was able to find work at a Jewish law firm in 1942. His entry level position encouraged him to obtain a bachelor’s degree in law. Through this law firm, Mandela was introduced to many different ideas, communists, politicians, and the African National Congress. During this time, South Africa was ruled by a white government which believed in...
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...Ever since the Reconstruction era after the Civil War there has been the issue of race and equality and rights. A movement occurred and two men gained power and influence the African American community. Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X two men having experienced different things in their lives held different beliefs and morals and influenced people based upon those things. Martin Luther King Jr., came from a Baptist home with a fairly easy childhood, he was educated when he was younger and attended Morehouse College, an all black college, where he had several role models that shaped his beliefs. Malcolm X, on the other hand, experienced a hard childhood and used drugs and committed other crimes in his early adult years. While in prison he found a father figure in Elijah Muhammad and joined the Nation of Islam. There are many differences between Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X in the way they acted and influenced the African American community. This paper will look to describe their differing views and analyze their actions and their lives. In most cases a person’s childhood has a lasting affect on the rest of a person’s life. In comparing Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X this seems to be the case. Martin Luther King Jr., was born January 19, 1929 and was raised by a strong supportive family. He had a somewhat privileged life and “never experienced the feeling of not having the basic necessities of life.”[1] His father “was a community leader in Atlanta...
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