Civil Rights

• What type of government does the USA have?

  Federal system of government
• How are laws created in the USA?

  States can create laws under federal oversight
• What is the role of the Supreme Court in state laws?

  The Supreme Court can overrule state laws
• What is meant by 'checks and balances' in government?

  It prevents any one branch from being too powerful
• When were Africans first brought to America?

  As slaves during colonial times
• What significant event occurred in 1776 in America?

  America became independent from Britain
• What issue arose as new states were created in the 1600s?

  Whether they would be free or slave states
• What was the American Civil War about?

  Conflict between anti-slavery and pro-slavery states
• What did President Lincoln issue after the Civil War?

  The Emancipation Declaration, ending slavery
• What was the situation for African Americans after Lincoln's death?

  Governments were either unhelpful or racist
• What was segregation in the 1950s?

  Separation of black people from whites
• How was segregation enforced in the South?

  By laws requiring separate facilities
• What were the Jim Crow Laws?

  Segregation laws in the South
• What principle did the Jim Crow Laws operate under?

  'Separate but equal' facilities for races
• What was the outcome of Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896?

  It upheld the legality of segregation
• What could happen to black people who didn't comply with segregation laws?

  They could be arrested or thrown out
• How did many Southern whites view black people?

  As inferior and unintelligent
• What was the Ku Klux Klan (KKK)?

  A racist group attacking non-whites
• How did World War II affect black Americans' views on equality?

  They hoped for more equality after the war
• What tactics did white people use to prevent black voting in the South?

  Violence and literacy tests
• What is a civil rights activist?

  Someone who campaigns for equal rights
• Why did the civil rights movement grow in the 1950s?

  Increased awareness of racial inequality
• What role did television play in the civil rights movement?

  It raised awareness of racial issues
• What did the NAACP focus on?

  Fighting for civil rights in courts
• What was the NAACP's strategy against Plessy v. Ferguson?

  Show facilities were not equal and harmful
• What methods did CORE use for civil rights activism?

  Non-violent protests like boycotts
• What was the role of black church leaders in the civil rights movement?

  Organized events and promoted non-violence
• What was the significance of Emmett Till's murder?

  It sparked outrage and civil rights activism
• Who were the Dixiecrats?

  Southern Democrats supporting segregation
• What was the outcome of Till's murder trial?

  The murderers were cleared of charges
• What was the impact of the Brown v. Board of Education case?

  It ruled segregated education unconstitutional
• Who was Linda Brown?

  A black girl from Topeka, Kansas
• What did the Supreme Court rule in Brown v. Board of Education?

  Schools must desegregate
• What limitations followed the Brown ruling?

  Many schools refused to desegregate
• What was the Little Rock Nine?

  Group of black students at Little Rock High
• What did Governor Faubus do regarding desegregation?

  He opposed desegregation and sent troops
• How did President Eisenhower respond to the Little Rock crisis?

  Sent federal troops to enforce integration
• What was the Montgomery Bus Boycott?

  A protest against bus segregation
• What sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott?

  Rosa Parks' arrest for refusing to give up her seat
• What role did Martin Luther King play in the boycott?

  He led the Montgomery Improvement Association