History - Civil Rights (Case studies 1-3)

• Who was Emmett Till?

  A black teenager murdered in 1955
• Where was Emmett Till from?

  Chicago
• Why was Emmett Till murdered?

  For allegedly making comments to a shop owner's wife
• Why did Till's murder gain significant attention?

  His mother insisted on an open casket viewing
• What was the public reaction to Till's murderers being cleared of charges?

  People were outraged and angered
• What did Till's murder reportedly contribute to?

  The rapid growth of the civil rights movement
• Who were the Dixiecrats?

  Southern Democrat politicians supporting segregation
• What was the influence of Dixiecrats in Congress?

  They blocked laws for black Americans' rights
• Why was it difficult for black people to get justice?

  There were no black judges or juries
• Who was Linda Brown?

  A black girl from Topeka, Kansas
• What was the issue Linda Brown faced?

  She had to travel far to a black school
• What was the outcome of the initial court case for the Browns?

  They lost their case to enter the white school
• What was the name of the Supreme Court case involving Linda Brown?

  Brown v. the Board of Education
• What did the NAACP argue in the Brown case?

  Segregated schools violated the 14th Amendment
• Who was appointed chief judge during the Brown case?

  Earl Warren
• What was the Supreme Court's ruling in 1954?

  Segregated education was unconstitutional
• What was the issue with the desegregation timeline?

  No specific timescale was set for desegregation
• What was the follow-up case to Brown called?

  Brown II
• What did Brown II order regarding desegregation?

  Schools to desegregate "with all deliberate speed"
• What were the significant outcomes of the Brown case?

  • Reversed the Plessy ruling
  • Encouraged more desegregation cases
  • Southern border states desegregated schools
  • Increased awareness of civil rights issues
• What limitations did the Brown ruling face?

  • Deep South schools refused to desegregate
  • Politicians called for "massive resistance"
  • White Citizens’ Councils formed against integration
  • KKK membership grew, increasing violence
  • Southern Manifesto rejected Brown ruling
  • Racism persisted in integrated schools
  • Vague timescale led to slow desegregation
• How did black people feel after the Brown ruling?

  Many felt worse despite gaining a legal right
• What happened in Little Rock in 1957?

  25 black students were to start at a high school
• What was the outcome for the Little Rock Nine?

  Only nine of the 25 enrolled due to threats
• Who was the governor of Arkansas during the Little Rock crisis?

  Orval Faubus
• What action did Governor Faubus take against the black students?

  Sent in 250 state troops to block them
• What did the NAACP do for the Little Rock Nine?

  Arranged for them to arrive together
• What happened when Elizabeth Eckford arrived alone?

  Troopers refused to protect her from the mob
• How did the government respond to the situation at Little Rock?

  President Eisenhower sent federal troops
• What did Eisenhower do regarding Faubus' troops?

  Forced Faubus to remove his troops
• What was the purpose of the federal troops sent to Little Rock?

  To protect the black students
• What happened to the black students after federal troops were sent?

  They continued to receive threats
• What did Faubus do in the following school year?

  Closed all schools in Little Rock
• Why did the government become more concerned about segregation?

  Little Rock was publicized worldwide