Reading Comprehension Passage
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Jim Crow Laws
Jim Crow Laws were a set of laws that enforced racial
segregation in the United States. These laws were
named after a popular character in a 19th-century
minstrel show. The laws were in effect from the late
1800s to the mid-1900s.
Under Jim Crow Laws, African Americans and White
Americans were treated differently. African Americans
were not allowed to go to the same schools, use the
same restrooms, or sit in the same areas of public transportation as White
Americans. They were also not allowed to eat in the same restaurants or
stay in the same hotels.
These laws were very unfair and made life difficult for African Americans.
They were treated as second-class citizens and were often denied basic
rights and opportunities. Even though they were free citizens, they were not
treated with the same respect and dignity as White Americans.
Many people fought against Jim Crow Laws and worked towards ending
racial segregation. One of the most famous figures in this fight was Rosa
Parks. In 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus to a White
person, which was against the Jim Crow Laws. Her act of defiance sparked
the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a year-long protest that eventually led to the
desegregation of buses in Montgomery, Alabama.
The Civil Rights Movement, which took place in the 1950s and 1960s, also
played a significant role in ending Jim Crow Laws. African American leaders
like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X fought for equal rights and an end
to racial discrimination. Their efforts led to the passing of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964, which made it illegal to discriminate against people based on
their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
In conclusion, Jim Crow Laws were a form of racial segregation that
treated African Americans unfairly. However, through the bravery and
determination of individuals and the Civil Rights Movement, these laws were
eventually abolished, leading to greater equality and justice for all.
Jim Crow Laws
Name:_____________________________ Date:_____________
1. What were Jim Crow Laws?
2. Who were Jim Crow Laws named a er?
A set of laws that enforced racial segrega on in the
United States A popular character in a 19th-century minstrel show
Laws that allowed African Americans to go to the A famous civil rights leader
same schools as White Americans The President of the United States
Laws that made life easier for African Americans An African American ac vist
Laws that promoted equality and jus ce
4. What were African Americans not allowed to do
3. When were Jim Crow Laws in effect? under Jim Crow Laws?
From the late 1800s to the mid-1900s Go to the same schools as White Americans
From the 1950s to the 1960s Use the same restrooms as White Americans
From the early 1900s to the late 1800s Sit in the same areas of public transporta on as
From the 1960s to the 1970s White Americans
All of the above
5. How were African Americans treated under Jim
6. Who sparked the Montgomery Bus Boyco ?
Crow Laws?
Rosa Parks
As first-class ci zens
Mar n Luther King Jr.
With respect and dignity
Malcolm X
As second-class ci zens
The President of the United States
With equal rights and opportuni es
8. Who fought for equal rights and an end to racial
7. What was the Montgomery Bus Boyco ?
discrimina on?
A year-long protest against Jim Crow Laws
Mar n Luther King Jr.
A movement to desegregate schools
Rosa Parks
A campaign for vo ng rights
Malcolm X
A protest against discrimina on in employment
All of the above
9. What did the Civil Rights Act of 1964 make illegal? 10. What was the outcome of the Civil Rights
Movement?
Discrimina on based on race
The aboli on of Jim Crow Laws
Discrimina on based on color
Greater equality and jus ce for all
Discrimina on based on religion The passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
All of the above All of the above
Jim Crow Laws
ANSWER KEY
1. What were Jim Crow Laws? 2. Who were Jim Crow Laws named after?
A set of laws that enforced racial segregation A popular character in a 19th-century minstrel
in the United States show
Laws that allowed African Americans to go to A famous civil rights leader
the same schools as White Americans The President of the United States
Laws that made life easier for African An African American activist
Americans
Laws that promoted equality and justice
3. When were Jim Crow Laws in effect? 4. What were African Americans not
allowed to do under Jim Crow Laws?
From the late 1800s to the mid-1900s
From the 1950s to the 1960s Go to the same schools as White Americans
From the early 1900s to the late 1800s Use the same restrooms as White Americans
From the 1960s to the 1970s Sit in the same areas of public transportation
as White Americans
All of the above
5. How were African Americans treated 6. Who sparked the Montgomery Bus
under Jim Crow Laws? Boycott?
As first-class citizens Rosa Parks
With respect and dignity Martin Luther King Jr.
As second-class citizens Malcolm X
With equal rights and opportunities The President of the United States
7. What was the Montgomery Bus Boycott? 8. Who fought for equal rights and an end
to racial discrimination?
A year-long protest against Jim Crow Laws
A movement to desegregate schools Martin Luther King Jr.
A campaign for voting rights Rosa Parks
A protest against discrimination in Malcolm X
employment All of the above
9. What did the Civil Rights Act of 1964 10. What was the outcome of the Civil
make illegal? Rights Movement?
Discrimination based on race The abolition of Jim Crow Laws
Discrimination based on color Greater equality and justice for all
Discrimination based on religion The passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
All of the above All of the above
Name:_____________________________ Date:_____________
Jim Crow Laws
Note: Words are hidden in all directions including backwards and diagonally.
H Z N E Q P N C R H F A E R H K M M E K
W H I T E B Q B Q C R O W Y R N X P R K
T P S G A N O I T A N I M I R C S I D Z
X I R Y F L E T X X U K K E P C N S V P
L M V I R K Z P R I F T O M L A U Q E B
Y T I V I E V F E L K Q E V F N T H E W
S T T S C P M D S R P Z A J L I V I C L
O T T I A R G O T E S S Y H S K Q E L B
C L H H N C A V G S G O J D M J R A A T
Y N D G R P P B Q T L R N A K U R A H N
N K K D I A B L X J N S E E V J L T Z E
R U H V R R N I D M R O D G P M S C V M
U B N K P U F X K E Z R M C A N I R L E
L P S D V R X Z D B G N Y D A T M A P V
N H Q G E V U A O E V I N C I Z I F S O
B G Y K O R E Y T Z X H I B Z C U O N M
L A S O R L C E Y S D R Q H A H L D N P
Z J K O A O J I M G E L R R S N A T M Y
T E F D T F W I B M X T G Q S U W Z M V
U E J T R Z W B A J F A F Z U H S Z C W
PARKS CIVIL WHITE EQUAL
DISCRIMINATION MOVEMENT MONTGOMERY ROSA
AMERICANS RIGHTS LEADERS BOYCOTT
LAWS NUNDER CROW RACIAL
SEGREGATION AFRICAN PERSON NTHE
