The Civil War was a turning point in the quest for equality in America. Despite its role in the long awaited abolishment of slavery, the black community in America still continued to endure discrimination at all levels. It is this discrimination that gave birth to the quest for social justice and equality. This article expounds on African American Civil Rights Movement Facts.
Following the Civil War, it was apparent that the systemic discrimination of blacks would not end soon, more so in many of the southern states. Towards the lead up to the mid twentieth century, the majority of them had had it. Many African Americans, with the support of a considerable amount of the white population, took to the streets in protests that lasted two decades.
It is a fact that the nation made some genuine efforts to rid itself of the grip of racial discrimination after the end of slavery. The enactment of the 14th amendment heralded this moment. This amendment was enacted in 1868 and gave all citizens equal protection in all facets of the law. In 1870, this law was redrafted into the 15th amendment, tentatively giving blacks a right to cast their votes. The amendment sent many whites in the southern states into a rage, reason being many of them still viewed black people through the prism of slavery.
The resulting hatred brought about the Jim Crow laws in the south, passed towards the end of the 19th century. The laws were primarily aimed at segregating the population based on race. Blacks were disallowed from utilizing the same public utilities, including schools, as whites. Interracial marriages also became illegal. Moreover, skewed voter literacy tests made it difficult for blacks to attain the right to vote.
Luckily, northern states did not take up these laws. However, discrimination continued unabated. An ordinary black would have to go through hell to get educated or purchase a house. A handful of northern states even passed legislation limiting the black population from voting.
A number of events led up to the start of the historic activism of the 1950s and 1960s. It all started on the 1st of December, 1955. Rosa Parks, a 42 year old lady, took up her seat on a bus after work in Montgomery, Alabama. Back then, segregation laws required blacks to seat at specific seats at the back of buses, which is exactly what Parks had done.
A white fellow then boarded the bus but could not get a free seat at his designated section. The driver then ordered Parks and three of her fellow blacks to get up for the standing whites. The lady turned down this order and was subsequently arrested.
This incident caused a furor among the black community. A justice and equality movement, led by Martin Luther King Jr, was then formed. The peaceful protest staged by its participants eventually resulted in segregated seating arrangements being declared illegal. In the years that followed, including after the assassination of Dr. King, equality was finally achieved in education, employment, housing and the general American social system.
Following the Civil War, it was apparent that the systemic discrimination of blacks would not end soon, more so in many of the southern states. Towards the lead up to the mid twentieth century, the majority of them had had it. Many African Americans, with the support of a considerable amount of the white population, took to the streets in protests that lasted two decades.
It is a fact that the nation made some genuine efforts to rid itself of the grip of racial discrimination after the end of slavery. The enactment of the 14th amendment heralded this moment. This amendment was enacted in 1868 and gave all citizens equal protection in all facets of the law. In 1870, this law was redrafted into the 15th amendment, tentatively giving blacks a right to cast their votes. The amendment sent many whites in the southern states into a rage, reason being many of them still viewed black people through the prism of slavery.
The resulting hatred brought about the Jim Crow laws in the south, passed towards the end of the 19th century. The laws were primarily aimed at segregating the population based on race. Blacks were disallowed from utilizing the same public utilities, including schools, as whites. Interracial marriages also became illegal. Moreover, skewed voter literacy tests made it difficult for blacks to attain the right to vote.
Luckily, northern states did not take up these laws. However, discrimination continued unabated. An ordinary black would have to go through hell to get educated or purchase a house. A handful of northern states even passed legislation limiting the black population from voting.
A number of events led up to the start of the historic activism of the 1950s and 1960s. It all started on the 1st of December, 1955. Rosa Parks, a 42 year old lady, took up her seat on a bus after work in Montgomery, Alabama. Back then, segregation laws required blacks to seat at specific seats at the back of buses, which is exactly what Parks had done.
A white fellow then boarded the bus but could not get a free seat at his designated section. The driver then ordered Parks and three of her fellow blacks to get up for the standing whites. The lady turned down this order and was subsequently arrested.
This incident caused a furor among the black community. A justice and equality movement, led by Martin Luther King Jr, was then formed. The peaceful protest staged by its participants eventually resulted in segregated seating arrangements being declared illegal. In the years that followed, including after the assassination of Dr. King, equality was finally achieved in education, employment, housing and the general American social system.
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