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Civil Rights for Kids: Timeline of African-American Civil Rights

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Civil Rights for Kids: Timeline of African-American Civil Rights

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Kids learn about the timeline of the history African-American Civil Rights in the United States from the Emancipation Proclamation to the March on Washington to Barack Obama becoming president.

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African American Civil Rights - History for Kids

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African American Civil Rights - History for Kids

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African American Civil Rights Movement

The Civil Rights Movement was one of the most important changes in America.

Even though the Emancipation Proclamation had been in place for over 100 years, there was horrible discrimination still being practiced against African-Americans.

The most drastic were in the Southern states that refused to allow African-Americans to sit in the front of buses, use the same bathrooms, drink from the same water fountains, stay in the same hotels or even eat in restaurants as white Americans.

There continued to be growing unrest among the African-American communities and the 'Movement' to make change finally took public notice in the 1955-1956 Montgomery Bus protest, led by pacifist activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Small protests over time

It's important to know that the Civil Rights Movement did not happen due to one situation.

It occurred over a number of years and in many phases.

Small protests that were both violent and peaceful began occurring in the Southern states, and it wasn't until the founding of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) that the voices and protests were not only heard, but carried any power in the courts.

There were many laws that had been passed to overturn prejudice and segregation, but they were ignored in the Southern states.

Rosa Parks

On Dec. 1, 1955, an uproar happened when an African-American woman, Rosa Parks, refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white person.

She was thrown in jail and this resulted in protests as well as boycotting (refuse to use) the community bus system.

Sometimes violence broke out

Not all African-Americans believed in the quiet method and over the next ten years violence broke out in a number of towns and cities as they tried to achieve the freedoms that white Americans enjoyed.

Even when there were peaceful protests and sit-ins, white police officers arrived with dogs and weapons and attacked those that were trying to make a statement.

Who was Dr. King

Dr. King became the voice of the African-American people, using words of reason and hope that all could live together in harmony.

Although he was a Christian minister, he used the approach of the Indian leader, Mahatma Gandhi as the method to make changes through peaceful protest and demonstration.

In 1963 the movement had grown to such an extent that over 200,000 people of all races joined Dr. King in the August 28th "March on Washington" where Dr. King delivered his famous "I have a dream" speech.

The importance of the freedoms of all Americans, combined with the marches, protests and proof of discrimination led to President John F. Kennedy's recommendation and the eventual passing of the "Civil Rights Act" in 1964.

This law did not allow discrimination of any American citizen based on race, color, religion or gender.

Civil Rights Act

Even though the law had been passed, many of the Southern states, whose roots were deeply buried in segregation and discrimination due to their history of slavery, did not choose to obey.

It became a focus for members of the African-American community to encourage their members to register to vote so that they could use their voting power to elect people that would help their cause.

The Black Panthers

Many new African-American organizations were formed across the country to help. The most powerful and radical organization was founded in Southern California by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale in 1966 and was known as The Black Panthers.

They believed in a less peaceful way to get their message to the people.

The violence increased against all that joined in any kind of protest. On March 7, 1965, a march was planned to start in Selma, Alabama and end at the Montgomery capital.

The courts passed a law forbidding the march, and when people showed up the police attacked the protesters with dogs and clubs.

This was known as "Bloody Sunday" and was an important time in the movement.

The death of some of the protesters combined with Dr. King and many people in attendance brought about the passing of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

By the 1960's, the Black Panthers were promoting a more violent way to get attention.

Other leaders such as Black Nationalist Malcom X continued to protest and, in some cases cause riots.

The laws that were in place were not being obeyed and there was still a lot of discrimination happening. Dr. King continued to promote peaceful protests and established the Poor People's Campaign in 1968 to help to bring a balance of wealth distribution, which continued into the 1970's and 1980's.

The Civil Rights Movement was one of the most important times in American history, because it became the ground base for many other types of movements towards equality.

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African American Civil Rights - History for Kids

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The Civil Rights Movement was one of the most important changes in America. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation had been in place for over 100 years, there was horrible discrimination still being practiced against African-Americans. The most drastic were in the Southern states that refused to allow African-Americans to sit in the front of buses, ...

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Civil Rights for Kids: African-American Civil Rights Movement

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Civil Rights for Kids: African-American Civil Rights Movement

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History >> Civil Rights for Kids

African-American Civil Rights Movement

March on Washington Aug 28, 1963
from the United States Information Agency

The African-American Civil Rights Movement was an ongoing fight for racial equality that took place for over 100 years after the Civil War. Leaders such asMartin Luther King, Jr., Booker T. Washington, and Rosa Parks paved the way for non-violent protests which led to changes in the law. When most people talk about the "Civil Rights Movement" they are talking about the protests in the 1950s and 1960s that led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Background

The Civil Rights Movement has its background in the abolitionist movement before theCivil War. Abolitionists were people that thought slavery was morally wrong and wanted it to come to an end. Before the Civil War, many of the northern states had outlawed slavery. During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln freed the enslaved with the Emancipation Proclamation. After the war, slavery was made illegal with the thirteenth amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Segregation and the Jim Crow Laws

Jim Crow Drinking Fountain
by John Vachon

After the Civil War, many southern states continued to treat African-Americans as second class citizens. They implemented laws that kept black people separate from white people. These laws became known as Jim Crow laws. They required separate schools, restaurants, restrooms, and transportation based on the color of a person's skin. Other laws prevented many black people from voting.

Early Protests

In the early 1900s, black people began to protest the Jim Crow laws that southern states were implementing to enforce segregation. Several African-American leaders such as W.E.B. Du Bois and Ida B. Wells joined together to found the NAACP in 1909. Another leader, Booker T. Washington, helped to form schools to educate African-Americans in order to improve their status in society.

The Movement Grows

The civil rights movement gained momentum in the 1950s when theSupreme Court ruled that segregation in schools was illegal in the case of Brown v. Board of Education. Federal troops were brought in to Little Rock, Arkansas to allow the Little Rock Nine to attend a previously all white high school.

Major Events in the Movement

The 1950's and early 1960's brought about several major events in the fight for the civil rights of African-Americans. In 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested for not giving up her seat on the bus to a white passenger. This sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott which lasted for over a year and brought Martin Luther King, Jr. to the forefront of the movement. King led a number of non-violent protests including the Birmingham Campaign and the March on Washington.

Lyndon Johnson signing Civil Rights Act
by Cecil Stoughton

Civil Rights Act of 1964

In 1964, the Civil Rights Act was signed into law byPresident Lyndon Johnson. This act outlawed segregation and the Jim Crow laws of the south. It also outlawed discrimination based on race, national background, and gender. Although there were still many issues, this law gave the NAACP and other organizations a strong base on which to fight discrimination in the courts.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

In 1965, another law was passed called the Voting Rights Act. This law said that citizens could not be denied the right to vote based on their race. It outlawed literacy tests (a requirement that people be able to read) and poll taxes (a fee that people had to pay to vote).

Interesting Facts about the African-American Civil Rights Movement

The Civil Rights Act was originally proposed by President John F. Kennedy.

The 1968 Civil Rights Act, also known as the Fair Housing Act, outlawed discrimination in the selling or renting of housing.

The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee was once the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot and killed in 1968.

Today, African-Americans have been elected or appointed to the highest positions in the U.S. government including Secretary of State (Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice) and President (Barack Obama).

Activities

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To learn more about Civil Rights:

Civil Rights Leaders

Overview Works Cited

History >> Civil Rights for Kids

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Kids learn about the history of the African-American Civil Rights Movement including segregation, Jim Crow laws, protests, Martin Luther King, and the passage of the Civil Rights Act.

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Kids learn about the history of civil rights in the United States. Educational articles for teachers, students, and schools including civil rights leaders, movements, timelines, glossary, and major events. What are civil rights and why are they important?

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Rosa Parks facts for kids | National Geographic Kids

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Rosa Parks facts for kids | National Geographic Kids

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Rosa Parks facts for kids | National Geographic Kids

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Learn all about the African American civil rights activist who fought for equality and freedom in the USA in our Rosa Parks facts…

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Kids learn about the biography of Rosa Parks, civil rights activist who refused to give up her seat on the bus.

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A hero is born

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1929. At the time in that part of the country, segregation-or the separation of races in places like schools, buses, and restaurants-was the law. He experienced racial predjudice from the time he was very young, which inspired him to dedicate his life to achieving equality and justice for Americans of all colors. King believed that peaceful refusal to obey unjust law was the best way to bring about social change.

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Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., never backed down in his stand against racism. Learn more about the life of this courageous hero who inspired millions of people to right a historical wrong.

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Kid's Biography: Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Kid's Biography: Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Kids learn about Martin Luther King, Jr.'s biography. A great civil rights leader.