However despite Sources 1, 5 and 2 to some extent seemingly portraying Marshall’s achievements as unquestionably significant not all the sources agree. Source 6 provides evidence of Chief Justice Earl Warren’s significance, as three of his colleagues state their beliefs that Warren was the main reason the Brown case succeeded. In the letter Warren’s colleagues state that “Warren must take the credit” for the Brown victory, with no mention of Marshall, suggesting that Warren was key to the success of the Brown case. Source 5 provides evidence to agree with 6. In the letter to Levy, Marshall states that “victory in this case was a combined effort of literally tens of thousands of people”, showing that Marshall himself does not believe he was the sole instigator of success in the case. Source 2 provides further evidence to agree with 5 and 6 stating that “Warren had persuaded Justice Stanley Reed to vote with the majority so the Brown ruling would be unanimous.” This provides disagreement with source 1 which simply states that “Marshall was the key figure behind the Brown victory.”
As well as instigating change through directly tackling segregation, Marshall was also significant as a public figure and a role model to others, aided by his confidence. Source 4 provides primary evidence of Marshall’s confident personality. The photo shows Marshall in the Whitehouse laughing with President Johnson, following his appointment to the US Supreme Court. Source 2 supports this and states that it was “Marshall’s style to apply pressure and fight even in the face of adversity” highlighting Marshall’s fortitude of character. Source 2 also states Marshall “brought achieving equality to the forefront of black Americans’ desires”, highlighting his significance as a role model to others. Source 3 provides insight from someone who knew Marshall’s personality first-hand. Melba Patillo attended Little Rock High School following its desegregation enforced by the Brown vs. Topeka ruling. Source 3 states Marshall inspired her to attend Little Rock school, when her mind was “filled with doubt and worry” about attending. Source 3 also says that, Marshall’s “Self assured air, commanding presence and confident tone” made her believe that she “deserved to be admitted to Little Rock High”, and in this way it agrees with Source 2 and 4 about Marshall’s strong character being key to his success, and also shows his significance as a role model to others.
Source 4 also shows that President Johnson respected Marshall, and thought he was worthy of a place on the Supreme Court. Source 2’s account of the moment when President Johnson appointed Marshall to the Supreme Court provides evidence to agree with source 4. Source 2 states that “For nearly an hour a giddy Marshall joked around” showing that Marshall was not intimidated by the occasion. Source 2 also quotes Marshall as saying “The president of the United States told me that he thought I was the best person at the time to represent the United States” showing that Johnson respected Marshall’s skills as a lawyer and believed him to be the obvious choice for filling the vacancy in the US Supreme Court. In this position of power Marshall could help to force the issue of civil rights further.
However despite Sources 1, 2, 3 and 4 all providing evidence that Marshall’s personality was key to his success, disagreement over Marshall’s personality and its influence on others is provided by sources 2 and 7 to some extent, with both providing evidence that to some extent Marshall’s stubbornness and bold personality even inhibited the achievements of others. Source 7 provides evidence of Marshall denouncing the actions of those advocating the use of violent methods to try to achieve change. In the source, Marshall states “Lawlessness is lawlessness. Anarchy is anarchy is anarchy. Neither race nor colour nor frustration is an excuse for either lawlessness or anarchy” again showing Marshall’s strong views that violent methods should never be used to achieve change. Although source 2 provided evidence of Marshall’s confidence and bold personality being highly significant, 2 also provides evidence to support 7 stating that “Marshall hit hardest at militants” and that Marshall had an “uneasy relationship with black militants”. Source 2 quotes Marshall as saying that the black power movement was just “a bunch of crazy coloured black students” highlighting Marshall’s complete lack of support for the black power movement. Sources 2 and 7 therefore agree this aspect of the civil rights movement never gained public appeal, partially due to Marshall’s public criticisms, meaning their achievements were limited to some extent by Marshall.
However one needs to go beyond simply cross referencing the sources, and analyse the usefulness of the evidence the sources provide. Sources 4, 5, 6 and 7 are all contemporary sources reflecting immediate reactions to Thurgood Marshall’s achievements. Source 5 is written by Marshall to a close friend and colleague Herbert Levy and herein lies its value, as it provides direct evidence of what Marshall himself believed his significance to be, without the possibility for the evidence the source provides being skewed by others. Source 4 is a photograph, meaning the evidence provided is direct and unaltered, again making it valuable as a source. Source 7 is also valid as evidence, as is an extract from a speech, it clearly shows Marshall’s opinions on those who advocate the use of violent methods to achieve change, and there would have been no motivation for Marshall to criticise those who advocate violence if that is not what he truly believed. The evidence provided by Sources 4, 5 and 7 is also largely backed up by the evidence provided by Sources 1, 2 and 3, suggesting that Sources 4, 5 and 7 are valuable as evidence.
However, Source 6, the letter to Earl Warren from his three colleagues is less valid as evidence. It is not in the three colleagues interests to praise Marshall even though they do not dislike him. Warren was chief justice during the Brown case meaning it was in their interests to show loyalty to him. This means that although they state Warren was the main instigator of success in the brown case, it is unlikely. Indeed Sources 1, 2 and 3 all largely provide evidence to disagree and state that Marshall was the main instigator of victory in the brown case, and not Warren. This suggests that the evidence provided by source 6 for Warren being the main instigator of success in the brown case is not entirely valid.
Overall however it does seem clear on balance from the evidence the sources provide that Marshall was massively significant in the years 1947-1967. The sources largely concur that Marshall was significant both at directly tackling laws enforcing segregation, and as a public figure and role model to others. Sources 4 and 5 both provide evidence which when the usefulness of the sources is analysed stands firm. Indeed the evidence 4 and 5 provides is then widely backed up by Sources 1, 2 and 3, suggesting that 4 and 5 are both accurate and valid. Although there is some disagreement provided by source 6 that Marshall was not the main instigator of victory in the brown case, when this is compared to the evidence which the secondary sources provide, it is clear that Source 6’s evidence has limited usefulness. However although there is little evidence to show that Marshall’s significance at directly tackling segregation was limited, source 7 provides evidence of Marshall’s public criticism of the black power movement. This public criticism certainly damaged the black power movement’s image and appeal, and this meant that Marshall perhaps limited the amount they could achieve. However although sources 1 and 2 both agree that Marshall refused to condone those who advocated violent methods, neither agree with 7 that Marshall’s criticism was a significant factor leading to the failure of the Black power movement. On weighing up of the sources it is clear that the evidence provided by 4 and 5 is valid, and is also backed up by the secondary works of Sources 1, 2 and 3. The evidence provided by sources 6 and 7 that suggests Marshall’s significance was limited in some ways, is weak when the usefulness of the sources is put under scrutiny, and sources 1, 2 and 3 provide very little evidence to support the arguments which 6 and 7 put forward.
Word Count: 1745
Sources
Source 1- Black Heroes, Valerie Wilson Wesley and Wade Hudson. Pages 482-487
Source 2- Thurgood Marshall “American Revolutionary”, Juan Williams.
Source 3- “Warriors Don’t Cry”- Melba Patillo Beals
Source 4- - 8th picture along in the gallery.
Source 5-
Source 6-
Source 7-
