Influential Minority Groups From 1865-Present by Taylor Morris

Plessy v. Ferguson (May 18, 1896)

taymorris735 — 2025-07-25 19:18:37 UTC

Plessy v. Ferguson was a Supreme Court case that ended in the ruling of "separate but equal". This was a ruling that influenced the lives and politics of the African American community. It allowed Jim Crow Laws to be a legal way to keep African Americans separate from White citizens, but still claimed that they were equal. This made the lives of African Americans and their involvement in politics and regular social life much more challenging and allowed for strong roots in systemic racism in America.

Pre 1865 Context: Indian Removal Act (May 28, 1830)

taymorris735 — 2025-07-25 19:27:43 UTC

This law was put into place and it forced Native Americans to relocate from their original lands. It led to the infamous title of the "Trail of Tears" and it disrupted many communities and families while displacing them off of their land. This was influential on the Native American culture because many of these individuals were forced to assimilate and abandon their culture due to this law being passed.

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire (March 19, 1911)

taymorris735 — 2025-07-25 20:58:29 UTC

This incident was a fire within a factory that killed 146 workers which were mostly immigrant women. These workers were killed due to the conditions the factory had them working under, so this incident led to reform for working conditions and it also paved the way for labor unions to be established. This was the first catalyst for the labor reform movement in the early 1900s where journalists revealed the truth about working conditions and new labor laws were implemented protecting workers. Ultimately, this event led to major political changes that protected worker's rights.

Nineteenth Amendment Passed (June 4th, 1919)

taymorris735 — 2025-07-25 21:06:31 UTC

This amendment was passed by congress and it allowed women from all walks of life the right to vote. After many protests and arguments for women's suffrage rights, congress finally passed this amendment in June of 1919. This was a major influence by women of all races on law. Through protests and petitions, this law was finally put into place which allowed women to have influence in politics and who they want in office.

The Great Migration (around the 1920s)

taymorris735 — 2025-07-25 21:16:11 UTC

This was a movement of African Americans from the South to the North and into Northern cities such as New York. African Americans had a huge influence on culture and politics during this move and it led to things such as the Harlem Renaissance. This was a period defined as a re-discovery of Black culture and there was huge influence of African American culture on music, social life, art, poetry, and many more mediums.

Brown v. Board of Education (May 17, 1954)

taymorris735 — 2025-07-25 22:12:55 UTC

This supreme court case ruling determined that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional and it overturned Plessy v. Ferguson. This was due to the influence of African Americans on politics and the law was changed due to African American protests of racial inequality in the school system. This allowed African Americans more educational and social opportunities and was a huge beginning to the Civil Rights Movement.

Chinese Exclusion Act (May 6, 1882)

taymorris735 — 2025-07-25 22:21:44 UTC

This act was signed in order to prohibit the immigration of Chinese citizens for 10 years. This was due to the massive influx of Chinese immigrants during the time of the gold rush. The influence of Chinese immigrants on culture in Western America was impactful in cities such as San Francisco. However, the American people resorted to racial violence against Chinese immigrants due to competition over jobs. Regardless of this, these immigrants brought a change of culture with them and integrated that culture in areas of education, healthcare, and places of worship until this act was passed.

Pre 1865 Context: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (February 2, 1848)

taymorris735 — 2025-07-25 22:27:01 UTC

This treaty was put in place to end the Mexican-American War and it promised US citizenship to a number of Hispanic people who were then living in Southwest America. Those who stayed in the area faced discrimination from White Americans and from laws that were passed. Hispanic people had a huge influence on the politics of the time when laws such as "Sunday Laws" and "Greaser Laws" were passed to try and minimize the impact of Hispanic culture in the region.

Hippy Movement (around the 1960s-1970s)

taymorris735 — 2025-07-25 22:34:11 UTC

In the 1960s and 1970s, the younger generation in America began to align themselves with the hippy movement. This movement rejected societal norms and challenged traditional ideas. It was characterized by Americans embracing alternative lifestyles. This movement had a huge impact on culture in America with shifts on ideology surrounding sex, drugs, marriage, social status, and gender roles. Not only did this movement challenge these ideas, but there was legal action taken due to this movement too such as Roe v. Wade.

Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage (June 26, 2015)

taymorris735 — 2025-07-25 22:37:59 UTC

The legalization of same-sex marriage was a policy passed due to actions of the LGBTQ+ minority groups in America. Protests and legal action was taken in order to make this law possible, and it was finally passed due to the influence of these groups. This law had an important influence on culture in America because the societal norms shifted with same-sex marriage being legal. While there is still discrimination against LGBTQ+ groups in some areas, the passing of this law made it more socially acceptable to Americans.

Rosie The Riveter & Women in the Workforce (around WWII in the 1940s)

taymorris735 — 2025-07-27 17:45:51 UTC

Due to the gap in the labor force from soldiers leaving for war, women entered work fields that they typically wouldn't have entered otherwise. Women were appointed in different careers such as factory workers, administrative jobs, and even into the military where those positions were typically held by men. During this time, the "Rosie the Riveter" idea became popular and influential to the culture in America. Women were relied on to assist at home while soldiers were at war. However, once men returned from war there was another culture shift, and many of these previously employed women left their fields voluntarily or they were forced out. During World War II, this was a huge change in the labor culture in America and it contributed to many open doors for women.

9/11 Al-Qaeda Attacks (September 11, 2001)

taymorris735 — 2025-07-27 19:59:01 UTC

These attacks were orchestrated by the militant group Al-Qaeda that was led by Osama bin Laden. This group was responsible for several attacks on American military bases and the tragedy of 9/11. However, these attacks completely changed the culture of America and the ideology of Americans towards Muslim and Middle Eastern citizens. These communities faced massive backlash from Americans and many were victims of hate crimes due to their heritage. Many Americans directly associated these minority groups with acts of terrorism which changed the ideology and culture in America post 9/11. With the US facing the fear of other terrorist violence, this led to legal action and the passing of the Homeland Security Act and the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security.