Background:

To what extent did slavery cause political conflict in the USA?

Slavery was the central issue diving the North and the South politically, economically
and morally. Southern states relied on slaves economically, due to their heavily
agriculturally based economy. The North was much more industrialized and opposed
slavery.

Key Terms:
Abolitionism: Movement to end (abolish) slavery.

Atlantic Slave Trade:

Step 1) UK traders traded alcohol, guns and textiles (cheap stuff) for slaves in Africa.
Step 2) They then transported slaves to North America to work on plantations for sugar,
rice, tobacco and most commonly cotton.
Step 3) The harvested goods were transported back to the UK.

This system was a very effective business model, due to low costs. They didn’t have to
pay the slaves. The only costs were, cost of trade, transport and keeping the slaves alive
by the bare minimum requirements.

Conclusions drawn from the map:

• High concentration of slaves in Southeast

• Good Access from the ocean
• Agriculturally based industry → suitable climate
• Very little slavery in the West
• No slavery in the North
• Industrial Economy

The Civil War:

The war was fought between the Northern Union and the Southern Confederates states,
primarily over the issue of slavery and states’ rights. Abraham Lincoln (President) fought
against the Confederate states. The Northern Union eventually won the war, leading to
the abolishment of slavery through the 13 th Amendment.

The 13th Amendment:

Section 1: Abolished Slavery and involuntary servitude in the US, except as punishment
for a crime.
Section 2: Empowers Congress to pass laws neassary to enforce the amendment.

The 14th Amendment:

All persons born or naturalized in the U.S. were citizens for the nation and no state
could make or enforce any law that would abridge their rights of citizenship.
No state could deny any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.
No state could deny any person equal protection of the laws.

The 15th Amendment:

Outlawed the denial of voting rights due to race, color, or past servitude.

What were the Jim Crow Laws about?

Jim Crow laws were laws which segregated African Americans from white people. Jim
Crow laws were not written laws of the land. Instead they were local laws, codes and
agreements which enforced racial segregation. While the African American citizens
were technically allowed to vote, they were denied the right to vote by large poll taxes
(which most couldn’t afford), unfairly applied test (which most couldn’t pass due to
lack of eduction) and other unjust barries. These laws were enforced by police forces or
violent white mobs.

What is the goal of the Ku Klux Klan?

The Ku Klux Klan is a white supremacist organization founded in 1865. Their main goal
was to suppress Black political participation and maintain white dominanace through
violence and intimidation. African Americans and even white people which supported
African Americans were lynched by the KKK. Often times, law enforcements were
members or allies of the KKK which allowed the Klan members to partake in violent
activities without any [Link] Klan faded away in the 19th century as there
were laws, which allowed authorities to regulat Klan activites. Addtionally, the Jim Crow
laws largely suppressed black folks which ment that the KKK’s tactics were less
necessary for white supremacy.

Segregation and Education

To what extent did the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in Brown v. Board of
Education (1945) pave the way for the civil rights movement?
The court decision in the case of Brown v. Board of Education overturned Plessy v.
Ferguson and the principle of “separate but equal”. Racial segregation in public schools
was declared unconstitutional. This further energized the civil rights movement.
Southern states watched as their Jim Crow laws lost power and reacted with skeptisms.

Key Terms and Concepts:

Desegregation: The process of ending racial separation.
Equal Protection Clause: Part of the 14th Amendment, used to challenge segregation
laws.

Constitution:
The Constitution ist the equivalent to the Bundesverfassung, it is the base of all law. It is
essential to debate on civil rights, esp. 13th, 14th, 15th Amendments. The freedoms and
rights which were promised to all citizens were often denied to African Americans under
Jim Crow laws.
The Supreme Court:
Played a major role in interpreting constitutional rights. Made very important decisions
in the civil rights movement (e.g., Brown v. Board of Education), challenged state laws
and practices.

Plessy v. Fergusson (1896):

Legalized racial segregation under “separate but equal”. This decision allowed decade
long discrimination and gave legal justification for Jim Crow laws.

NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People):

The NAACP is an association which was founded in 1909 to fight for civil rights through
legal action. The NAACP played a key role in the court case of Brown v. Board of
Education and supporting civil rights activist.

Who were the Little Rock Nine (1957):

The Little Rock Nine were a group of 12 teenagers. After the court decision in the case of
Brown v. Board of Education, racial segregation in schools became regarded as
unconstitutional. These 12 teenagers were the first to start going to an all white school.
Even though, it was their right to attend this school, it was clear that they were not
welcome. The teenagers were brought to school with a military escort, ogranized by
Dwight D. Eisenhower, in order to ensure protection. Many white citizens protested
violently, shouted threats and blocked the students. The Arkansas governor even used
the National Guard to stop them from entering. The students felt scared, isolated, and
under constant pressure, but they were also brave and determined to fight for equal
rights and education.

Segregation and Public Transport

How did the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955/56 contribute to integration?

The Montgomery bus boycott was sparked by Rosa Parks, as she refused to get up from
a white seat and was arrested because of this. This boycott was oragnized by local
leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. The boycott encouraged all African Americans to
stop using the bus. By this they wanted to prove how essential they were to the
economy as a large part of the community which rode busses were also African
American. They managed to boycott the bus rides for almost a year, creating a great
economic impact and contribution to integration. After boycotting the bus rides for
almost a year, the Supreme Court decidied on banning bus segregation.

What did the Freedom Rides (1961) fight for?

Interracial group rode buses into the Deep South. They faced violent opposition,
including beatings and bombings. However, they never fought back with violence. The
Freedom Riders were taught to never fight back, even in defence. They strictly stuck to
the principles of non violent protest. Eventually, federal government enforced
desegregation orders.
Key Figures and Concepts:
Rosa Parks: Sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The woman who refused to give up
her bus seat.
Martin Luther King Jr.: Leader advocating for nonviolent resistance.
Dwight D. Eisenhower: President which enforced desegregation.
Boycott: Refusal to use services as protest.
Nonviolent Resistance: Inspired by Gandhi, key strategy in the movement.

Segregation and Law

To what extent was the Civil Rights Act of 1964 the high point of the Civil Rights
Movement?
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 landmarked legislation outlawing segregation in public
places and banning employment discrimination. It is considered to be the most
significant legal achievement of the movement. It marks a turning point in federal
commitment to civil rights.

What changed with the Civil Rights Act?

Discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin was banned. It also
finally put an end to unequal voter registration requirements. Additionally, it gave federal
government power to enforce desegregation.

Arguments in Favor:

• The bill ensures equal protection under the law for all citizens
• It bans discrimination in public places like hotels and restaurants
• African Americans who work, fight and die for their country deserve basic rights
• The bill promotes peaceful, legal solutions instead of violence
• Federal funds should not go to programs that discriminate
• Protection from unjust hiring practices

Arguments Against:

• The bill gives the federal government too much power over states and individuals
• It forces private businesses to serve people, which Thurmond calls “involuntary
servitude”
• It could lead to mob pressure and unrest rather than real equality
• It could damage constitutional freedoms, like property and employment rights
• It’s a form of government control and even “socialism” in Thurmond’s view
• It threatens the seniority system and could cause forced “racial balancing”

Hubert Humphrey:
Was a Democratic Senator and leading supporter of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He
believed the bill was a moral and constitutional necessity to ensure equal rights for all
Americans, especially African Americans who had been denies basic freedoms.

Strom Thurmond:
A Senator from South Carolina (initially Democrat, later Republican), strongly opposed
the bill. He argued it violated states’ rights, personal liverties, and the Constitution by
giving too much power to thte federal government and forcing racial integration.

John F. Kennedy:
Proposed the bill; was assassinated before its passage

Lyndon B. Johnson:
Signed it into law; pushed it through Congress.