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In the 1968 Mexico Olympics two American medal winners were disqualified after their protest against racial discrimination in the USA.

USA: 1945-1975 - The Struggle For Civil Rights In The 1960s

Revise the 1960s US civil rights struggle, from sit-ins and marches to new laws, key leaders and dramatic television images that challenged segregation and racism.

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Fascinating Fact:

The Birmingham campaign of 1963 used marches and boycotts against segregation. Images of police dogs and fire hoses used on protesters shocked many Americans.

In GCSE History, the struggle for civil rights in the 1960s explores campaigns against segregation, peaceful protest, the role of television and the impact of new laws passed in the United States.

Key Terms

Segregation: The enforced separation of Black and white people in schools, housing, transport and public places.
Civil Rights Act 1964: A law that banned segregation in public places and made it illegal to discriminate in jobs on grounds such as race or religion.
Voting Rights Act 1965: A law that removed unfair barriers which had stopped many Black Americans from registering and voting in elections.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What was the civil rights movement in the 1960s?

The civil rights movement was a campaign, mainly led by Black Americans and their allies, to end segregation and discrimination and to secure equal rights in law and everyday life.

What happened in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1963?

In 1963, civil rights leaders organised marches and boycotts in Birmingham to challenge segregation. Violent police responses were filmed and broadcast, increasing national support for change.

How did the US government respond to civil rights protests?

After years of protest, the federal government passed key laws such as the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act, using its power to protect rights when some states resisted change.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

In 1965 the Voting Rights Act was passed. Which was its principal feature?

Voters would not have to pass a verbal test on the US Constitution before being allowed to register

The whole process of registration was in all cases to be taken away from local officials and given to federal marshals

Voters would not have to pass a literacy test before they could register

Voters would not have to pay a fee in order to register

The results of the Act were dramatic: black voters qualified in large numbers, and the first elected black officials appeared in both north and south

2 .

In Jack Kennedy's presidency what post did his brother Bobby (Robert) Kennedy occupy?

Secretary of State

Secretary for Defence

Attorney-General

Welfare Secretary

Bobby was known as a liberal, and a possible alternative president to his older brother. He encouraged the Civil Rights Movement, but he too was assassinated in 1968

3 .

What was the main difference between the Nation of Islam and King's mainstream organisation?

The Nation of Islam advocated separatism, believing that black and white could not live together

The Nation of Islam believed that the central struggle was an economic one

The Nation of Islam only organised in the southern states

The Nation of Islam compelled its adherents to campaign actively against Christianity

Clearly this alliance was an uneasy one. King differed fundamentally with the Nation of Islam on many points

4 .

In 1963 King led the Washington march, when he made his famous "I have a dream" speech. What was the original goal of the march as expressed in its title?

"For voting rights"

"For integrated education"

" For jobs and freedom"

"For Black Power"

Many different groups were involved in the march, so the eventual title was a compromise

5 .

In 1964 the Civil Rights Act was passed under Johnson's leadership. It forbade discrimination of several kinds in areas like employment. So now discrimination on the grounds of race, colour or national origins was prohibited. There was one further kind of discrimination outlawed - what was it?

Sexual orientation

Gender

Religion

Disability

This measure was regarded as a major landmark in legislation, but there were several forms of discrimination which it did not cover

6 .

In the summer of 1964 three white civil rights activists were murdered in Mississippi. They were helping black voters to enrol on the official voting register. Which organisation was found to be responsible for the deaths?

The local police department

The local Democratic Party network

The Ku Klux Klan

The office of the State Governor

In the "Freedom Summer" of 1964 many white students from the north came to the southern states to assist the Civil Rights Movement. These particular murders shocked the nation

7 .

At the 1968 Olympics in Mexico, two US medal winners were disqualified from receiving their awards. On what grounds?

For refusing to mount the podium to accept their awards

For refusing to sing the US National Anthem during the medal ceremony

For giving the Black Power salute during the ceremony

For accepting their medals initially and then discarding them

The Olympic rules were enforced strictly, but the two protestors wanted to highlight continuing racial discrimination in the US

8 .

At what age was Martin Luther King awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964? He was the youngest ever recipient of the award.

The award was a huge boost to King, who was in the middle of his campaigning, and to the Civil Rights Movement as a whole

9 .

What term is used to mean employers choosing black candidates in favour of white ones, even if the latter appeared to be better qualified?

Positive discrimination

Affirmative action

Anti-discriminatory adjustment

Preferential advancement

Its advocates pressed for this method as the quickest way to even out inequalities; its opponents saw it as patronising to blacks. Nevertheless it was employed in certain types of employment in several parts of the country

10 .

Malcolm X changed his surname to X, because he regarded his original name as the residue of slavery. What had he been called previously?

Little

Small

Young

Cooper

Malcolm X was more radical than King, and less likely to gain the support of liberal whites

Author: Edward Towne