Civil Rights Movement

The significance of the Civil Rights Movement came from its amplification of the once silenced voices of marginalized communities. Throughout the Civil Rights Movement, minority voices became more important than ever before, and African Americans expressed their demands for social equality, justice, and to end racial segregation. Activists were led by the likes of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Other marginalized groups such as the Latino, Native American, and LGBTQ+ community allowed turned their collective struggles into motivation through their strength in unity. 

Review Sources:

1.  Martin Luther King Jr. "I Have A Dream Speech"

2.  NAACP Impact on Civil Rights

3. Arrest Records of Rosa Parks 

4.  Native Americans In Civil Rights 

5.  LGBTQ Civil Rights Beginnings 

6.  The Relevance of Native America to Black History

7.  Audio and Video of Civil Rights Activism in Bay Area 

8.  Emmett Till Southern Justice Case Study 

9.  FBI Influential Civil Rights Activist Vault 

10.  Freedom Summer Primary Sources 

11.  Songs in the Civil Rights Era 

Review Questions:

1.  Who was Emmett Till and what did you learn about his murder that ended up catalyzing the civil rights movement? 

2.  What can you infer about the young activists during the Freedom Summer of 1965 while they worked to register African American voters in the face of violent opposition?

3.  By examining photographs taken during civil rights marches, can you identify the symbolism that activists used to convey their obstacles in comparison to their white counterparts? 

4.  How do the songs and lyrics of the civil rights era reflect the emotions and aspirations of the activists during that time?

5.  By examining courtroom transcripts of civil rights related trials, what can we learn about the legal battles and challenges faced by activists seeking justice as well as organizations formed for the purpose of fighting for civil rights on the legal front?