'To what extent, was the Black Civil Rights Movement successful in bringing about social and political change for Black Americans between 1880 and 1990'?
‘To what extent, was the Black Civil Rights Movement successful in bringing about social and political change for Black Americans between 1880 and 1990?’ Despite the 13th Amendment being passed in January 1865 declaring that slavery was illegal in the United States in reality it had no effect to solve racial issues as white superiority was maintained through legal loopholes. The creation of legally enforced segregated societies through the Jim Crow Laws treated Black Americans as second class citizens. Furthermore, the establishment of Black Codes in the Southern States were designed to keep the blacks inferior to whites economically, socially, politically and legally as they (1) ‘were excluded from occupations where they might be in competition with whites.’. In spite of this, Whites claimed that they saw Black Americans as ‘separate but equal, albeit the Supreme Court ruling that it was legitimate through the case of Plessey vs. Ferguson and ’this created a ’halfway house between slavery and freedom that satisfied no-one.’ The 15th Amendment gave black Americans the right to vote however due to ‘Literacy Tests,’ ‘Property Qualifications,’ and ‘Grandfather Clauses,’ it wasn’t feasible. Legal constraints were further aggravated and Southerners took this to advantage knowing that Federal authorities’ attitudes towards this cause were
What is the short term significance of the Emancipation Proclamation?
What is the short term significance of the Emancipation Proclamation? The Emancipation Declaration was announced by Abraham Lincoln in 1863, it assured the abolishment of slavery, and this alone was a short term significance revealing the importance of Abraham Lincoln's decision. For the purpose of this discussion the meaning of short term significance will be defined as a pivotal moment of the period 1863-1865 in the American Civil war. To measure these criteria we must consider the short term significance of the main areas in this period the primary areas will be the lives of black Americans, black soldiers and white officers in the Union Army, Abraham Lincoln's decision on the Emancipation Proclamation and foreign affairs In 1863 Abraham Lincoln fulfilled his promise, the emancipation Proclamation: "that all persons held as slaves" within the states still in rebellion "are henceforward shall be, free ". This proves the support of an ideal politician promoting the freedom of black American slaves. In the short term period this reinforced the fundamental transformation of the war, as after the proclamation slavery was untouched. Therefore the war for the union became a war against slavery, both borders battling for Black slaves. This illustrates the desperation of people that how significant Black Salves have become to both North and South. Many would argue that in the
Were the 1960s and 1970s a turning point for the equality of Native Americans?
Were the 1960's and 1970's a turning point for the equality of Native Americans? The equality for Native Americans was slowly declining, with the white settlers taking over and the natives were just a hindrance and the whites began devising different ways they could be removed from their homes, land, tribes and even from society as a whole. However the 1970's were a major turning point, due to the change to become less militant in their approaches that they applied to their fight for their rights, including sit-in's, negotiation, gaining publicity and being inspired by the ever growing black power movement. This was as a new generation of Native Americans grew, and especially towards the 1940's (post war) they began to stand up and fight for their rights, religion and culture, and the 1960's and 1970's showed a predominate era for their movement in their equality. The 1960's and 1970's showed a massive growth in the Native American movement and a gain in their rights. In 1968 the natives has a 'fish-in' (which was a mock of a sit-in), in Washington supreme state court. They gave the government a list of 20 demands, including: allowing Native American leaders to address in congress and to rebuild Indian relations and protect religious freedom and cultural integrity, even though this wasn't successful. This brought the beginning of the term 'Red Power' made by the younger
What was the short term impact of the Montgomery Bus Boycott 1955-1957?
What was the short term impact of the Montgomery Bus Boycott 1955-1975? The Montgomery bus boycott which was organised by the newly founded Mississippi Improvement Association occurred between 1955 and 1956 and it can be seen that the boycott was a turning point for civil rights; it showed Alabama that African Americans were serious, and willing to go to great lengths for their cause. It has successfully lasted for 381 days, as the Supreme Court had come to the conclusion that the bus segregation was unconstitutional. The success clearly shows the significance of the event, as it would have encouraged the black community to stand up for their rights, however the economic result of the boycott and the backlash from people who had opposed desegregation, could show that the boycott was not in fact significant in the Civil Rights Movement. Rosa Parks was a dignified and respected women, she was friendly to neighbours and believed strongly in equality. Her attitude and reputation already gave her the moral high ground against opponents. As E.D Nixon said ‘nobody could point dirt at her… when she did something people figured it was the right thing to do’ (1) the source could be seen biased as E.D Nixon was the president of the Alabama NAACP and Rosa Parks was part of this, however she was respected by many people so what he was saying can be trusted. The fact that Rosa
To what extent was Hitler's foreign policy consistent and planned?
To what extent was Hitler's foreign policy consistent and planned? A subject of continuous interest in historical debate is whether Hitler's foreign policy aims, as outlined in Mein Kampf, was indeed a blueprint for the years to follow or infact a premeditated aversion from genuine foreign policy direction. Some may argue that Hitler's foreign policy through the inter-war years was merely an extension of Stresemann's policies and therefore consistent with the German aim. However opposing this belief are those who see a calculating, underhand opportunist whom spectacularly managed to camouflage a developing foreign policy and present it as consistent and ultimately unplanned. When Hitler was appointed German chancellor on 30th January 1933 Germany was still feeling the effects of the Great War. The military was very weak and the economy was in desperate need of recovery and reform. Many Germans had felt that along with the devastating effects resulting from the war, the Treaty of Versailles had been too harsh a measure. Hitler called for peace and, more significantly, equal treatment of Germany in European affairs, 'If other nations are not willing to carry out the disarmament stipulations of the Treaty, then Germany must at least maintain her claim to equality'. Britain respected the German grievances and felt sympathy with its cause. Along with most other European
Short term impact of Malcolm X
What short term impact did Malcolm X have on the Black Civil Right Movement 1965-1968? Malcolm X a 'symbol of hope' or 'father divine'. Historians have argued over the impact he had on the progression of Civil Rights, the methods he used and the overall persona of the man; Verney states "Malcolm X's achievements were of a more abstract and philosophical nature"1 however, Walter Myers would argue that he was much more forward in his thinking "Malcolm spoke for the voiceless, for the people from whom not even some black leaders wanted to hear"2. Clearly he had a much tougher upbringing than the likes of Martin Luther King, maybe this was why he stood for a much more radical approach. However, the likes of Stokely Carmichael would argue that his impact was just as great as other Black Civil Rights leaders, describing Malcolm as a "hero...-our heroes"3, just emphasising how highly thought of he was. "Malcolm could fairly be judged a failure by the conventional measures of leadership"4 and essentially Carmichael would agree to an extent "I wish that nigger would shut up talking about all this hate, killing and violence"5 on the other hand supporters argued that "Malcolm is a genius"6 and "he is the most brilliant speaker I have ever heard"7. There were so many sides to Malcolm X and from a young age could be described as lost with no purpose, after he was told that a career as
Freedom To peacefully Assemble
Freedom to peacefully assemble By ========= The first amendment states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." (4) Freedom to peacefully assemble allows the public to protest in what they believe in. Protests happen all the time throughout our country on all different issues. Should protest not be allowed to take place on public property without a permit? On some occasions protesters need to get a permit to protest, like in front of the State Capital Building. You shouldn't be force to get a permit if it's public property because public means everyone can use the area. It is legal to protest only on public spaces and sidewalks without blocking any traffic or pedestrians. (1) The right to protest is justified because it creates a balanced society of people who want change and people who are not willing to accept change. If individual rights are considered about protesting the common good is balanced. In Seattle, 1999 the WTO protest took place. This protest which had over 50,000 people at one time turned into a violent riot. Protests can lead to violence and usually cause disruption. There were many protests against the Vietnam War. Most of
What was the short term significance of Malcolm X?
What was the short term significance of Malcolm X? During the life time of Malcolm, he influenced black political agendas which are arguably one of the most crucial factors that led to the success in the civil rights movement. Also in the short term Malcolm left a political legacy in the form of the black panthers which also emphasised black power and increased black consciousness. Huey P. Newton a former member of the black panthers labelled the members of the movement as "the children of Malcolm."1There were many benefits Malcolm bought to the civil rights movement, firstly converting the movement from civil rights to human rights by internationalising the issue. He also made an effort to raise black consciousness which had a direct impact on African Americans and resulted in creating unity. However because of Malcolm's hard line approach to the civil rights movement, in order to speed up the process of gaining legal desegregation he maintained self defence or violence should be applied. This resulted in alienating white people which he also rejected the aid of. Furthermore to some extent his social impact was limited and not as effective as for example booker. T. Washington. Malcolm X attempted to internationalise the civil rights movement, to the extent that he informed the United Nations and urged them to act on it. Malcolm maintained that internal factors such as
Evaluate the view that overproduction of goods was the most important reason for the collapse in US economy from October 1929
Evaluate the view that overproduction of goods was the most important reason for the collapse in US economy from October 1929 On October 24th 1929 the share stock exchanged fell and the American economy faced its most serious economic obstacle. The traditional view of the event is that the Wall Street Crash caused the depression, however there are other interpretations which suggest otherwise. There is evidence which proves that the economy started to crumble much earlier than October 1929. America had other serious social and economic problems which were responsible for the collapse. The period of 1920s was well known for its rapid boom in the economy and in industry, which caused a change in the American life style. However, closer analysis of the decade reveals many difficulties, which America failed to solve. The overproduction of goods in the country was very significant as it was linked with other problems, however it was directly dependant on other factors, such as the set up of the banking system and the widely available buying on credit, which both largely contributed to the crash in 1929. There are other schools of thoughts which suggest that it was the widely popular speculation on the market which was responsible. Nevertheless it was the lack of governmental control of the situation and the steps taken to prevent the crash were too limited. Overproduction of
How important was the strength of opposition to impact the New Deal in the period 1933-1937.
Investigation History- The New Deal How important was the strength of opposition to impact the New Deal in the period 1933-1937. The New Deal had serious competition, which was fundamental towards the New Deal particularly in the period of 1933-1937 in numerous ways. There were alternatives which factored towards helping the economy providing radical yet simplistic reforms, several pressure groups also hindered the success of the New Deal, it was scrutinized by both sides of the political spectrum where Hugh Brogan claims the "Left for not doing enough"1 this is true, certain left wing activists such as Francis Townsend2, Father Coughlin3 and Huey Long4 did not enhance their potential to cause everlasting impact. He also claims the "right for doing too much"5 this can be interpreted differently, but I partially agree that the Liberty League tried to prevent the success of the New Deal "as business leaders were not going to help him"6 this suggests the Right aimed to hinder rather than help the New Deal. The strength of opposition had potential to cause serious impact, this varied as some more than others contributed. It is unclear how opposition enforced certain policies, but they certainly cause change to some extent, where many were able to prosper, as it was clear that "society needs reform"7. Politically there was enough opposition to create severe importance however
