Civil Rights Legislation (WJEC Eduqas GCSE History): Revision Note

Summary

During the early 1960s, the United States government began to take a more active role in supporting civil rights. President John F. Kennedy promised to back the movement and became increasingly committed after witnessing violent racism in the South. He appointed black Americans to important positions and protected campaigners such as the Freedom Riders and James Meredith. Kennedy attempted to introduce a Civil Rights Act in 1963, but Congress blocked it before his assassination later that year. His death shocked the country and helped unite politicians. The new President, Lyndon B. Johnson, used this momentum to pass the Civil Rights Act in 1964 and later the Voting Rights Act in 1965. Together, these laws marked major progress in ending discrimination and removing barriers that prevented black Americans from voting.

Civil Rights Legislation

• As part of his campaign to become President, Kennedy had promised to support the civil rights campaign

• Once President, he became even more committed to improving the lives of black Americans after witnessing peaceful protestors being attacked by police in Birmingham

  • He appointed black Americans to important roles, sent US marshals to protect the Freedom Riders and soldiers to defend James Meredith

  • He attempted to introduce a Civil Rights Act in 1963, but was unable to get Congress to approve it

• Any further attempts by Kennedy to improve the civil rights movement were ended by his assassination on 22 November 1963

• The death of Kennedy both horrified and unified America’s politicians

  • The new President, Lyndon B. Johnson, argued that a new Civil Rights Act was the greatest wish of the murdered president

    • This, along with Johnson’s Southern background, was enough to overcome the opposition of the Dixiecrats and get the Civil Rights Act through Congress in 1964

The Civil Rights Act, 1964

• The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was celebrated as a great victory by many campaigners

  • However, it left others greatly frustrated as it failed to enforce desegregation and end discrimination

Successes of the 1964 Civil Rights Act

• Ended segregation in public places, including hotels, restaurants and theatres

• Furthered school desegregation

• Introduced the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to end discrimination in the workplace

Failures of the 1964 Civil Rights Act

• The ban on voter registration tests was not enforced by federal laws, meaning states could still prevent people from voting through tests

• Did not completely end school desegregation, as ways were found around the laws

• The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission only dealt with complaints

The Voting Rights Act, 1965

• The failure of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to completely ban voting literacy tests led to a protest march in Selma, Alabama

  • This took place on 7th March 1965, and was led by Martin Luther King

  • The march was stopped on a bridge, and police attacked the marchers on horseback and with tear gas

  • On 21st March, undeterred by the police violence, King led a peaceful march of 25,000 people from Selma to Montgomery

• The success of the march and the support it received from the American public caused President Johnson to pass the Voting Rights Act