Civil Rights
Visit the websites associated with your assigned topic and type your responses in a Word document.
Plessy v. Ferguson
1. Think about the following questions and type your answers. (Answer 2 questions selecting from questions 2a-d.
2. Now read the background and answer the questions (6 total). Different reading levels. (Click on background tab)
3. Next read about how the case arrived at the Supreme Court. (Start reading at the bottom).
4. Answer questions 4 and 5 found on the majority opinion page.
5. Look at the cartoon.
6. Read The Impact of the Case (2 paragraphs). Pick one of the four situations and answer the two questions found in the paragraph under directions.
Brown v. Board of Education
1. Think about the following questions and type your answers. (Answer 2 questions selecting from questions 2a-d.
2. Now read the background and answer the questions (4 total). Different reading levels. (Click on background tab)
3. Next read about how the case arrived at the Supreme Court. (Start reading at the bottom). Answer the following question: How did the first Supreme Court ruling differ from that of the district court in Kansas?
4. Answer questions 1,5, and 6 from the majority opinion page.
5.Read two editorials from Immediate Reaction to the Decision. Answer question #1 but write two answers. One for a supportive editorial and one that rejects the court’s decision.
Little Rock Nine
This website discusses the Prudence Crandall Museum and the Little Rock Nine. You will just be focusing on the Little Rock Nine.
1.Read the second paragraph (begins with “At the intersection”) then scroll to the links at the bottom.
2.Click on Getting Started: Inquiry Question. Look at the photograph and answer the question. (Describe what is happening, look for details people, time period, why was the picture taken? What questions do you have about the photo?) Your response should be several sentences
3.Click continue on the bottom of the page and read Setting the Stage. Answer the following questions:
a.Describe how African Americans were treated before and after the Civil War.
b.How did the Supreme Court decision of 1954 change our educational policy?
c. Click continue to look at the map.
4. Read All Eyes on Little Rock and answer the questions (8 total)
5. Click Continue until you can see photos 5,6,7. Answer question #1 under photo 7.
Jim Crow Laws
1.Read the first paragraph and skim through the list of Jim Crow Laws. Notice those that seem interesting, strange, or especially mean.
a.Write a response to two of these laws. Describe the law in your own words, explain why you picked it and your reaction. (2-3 sentences each).
b.Then write a response to the following questions: Imagine you are an African-American living in the South during this time. What would it have been like living under these conditions? Knowing your personality how would you have reacted? Now answer the last question assuming you are a White Southern. What do you think of these laws? You should have at least two paragraphs to answer these questions.
2.Next visit the website Remembering Jim Crow. There are 6 different webpages found under Documentary Sections (Bitter Times, Danger, Violence, Exploitation, etc.) Visit each one and read the paragraph found on each page. Answer the following questions:
a.How long did the Jim Crow laws last and Why were they first implemented?
b.Describe what it was like for an African American to live during this time. How were assertive African Americans treated?
c.What does “living behind the veil” mean?
d.Describe the prevailing beliefs of the 1890’s that justified the Jim Crow laws.
e.How did African Americans “fight” the Jim Crow laws?
f.How are the Jim Crow laws remembered?
3. Define the term Jim Crow and describe how the term evolved. Visit this website to help answer these questions.
Montgomery Bus Boycott
1. Go to Montgomery Boycott. (Click on enter site). At the top of the page click on Overview.
a.Why do we remember Rosa Parks when others were arrested for the same charges?
b.How did E.D. Nixon contribute to the effort?
c.What was Nixon and Robinson’s plan?
d.Write a short summary of Robison’s flier.
e.What is the significance of Mon. Dec. 5?
f. What was the name of the new organization leading the boycott? Who was chosen as the leader and why?
g. How long did the boycott last? Why was it able to be sustained for so long?
h.Describe intimidation tactics that were used to try and end the boycott.
i. Write a short summary of the Browder v. Gayle court case and how it’s related to the bus boycott.
j. Why did the bus boycott end?
2.Write at least 4-5 sentences to answer one of the following questions: Why is a boycott an effective strategy? What obstacles stood in their way? What are some of the strategies for transforming institutional racism? How can every day people organize to transform a community?
3.Click on the link Newspaper Front Pages. Find an article associated with the bus boycott.
Write the name of the article and briefly describe its contents.
March on Washington
1.Read these articles The March.pdf and 40th Anniversary, both from PBS. Answer the following questions:
a.What was the official title of the march and who organized it?
b.Who opposed the march?
c.How did President Kennedy feel about it?
d.What events lead up to the march?
e.Describe some of the logistics of organizing the march.
f.Was the March a success? Why or why not? What happened afterwards?
2. Skim read the text of Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech “I Have a Dream”? Answer the following questions:
a. King refers to a past American in the beginning of his speech. Who is it and why would King refer to this person?
b. King quotes some famous documents and songs. Find the quotes and give their reference.
c. King also refers to the "promises of democracy" not being fulfilled in American society at the time. What would those promises be and in what ways were they not being fulfilled?
d. The speech alludes to the laws at the time that segregated blacks from whites, particularly in schools, buses, restaurants, lodging facilities and public restrooms. These policies were collectively known as "separate but equal" and were ultimately dismantled by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. What prevents "separate but equal" from being practiced fairly in society, and why must there be legislation to assure it is not practiced? On the other hand, could our society today practice such a policy fairly if it were what the majority of Americans wanted?
e. An additional line from "I Have a Dream" states that, "we must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence." King was deeply committed to a philosophy of nonviolent protest. What renowned leaders from the past held a similar view?
f. Malcolm X, unlike King, believed that violence was necessary to facilitate change in the prejudicial policies of society. When, if ever, do you see violence as necessary to correct injustices?
3. What is Martin Luther King’s legacy?
NAACP & Medgar Evers
1. Visit the official NAACP website. Read about the history of the NAACP.
a. Why was the NAACP formed?
b. Who started the organization?
c. What is its objective?
d. What was one of the early court battles and what was it about?
e. How did the association aide in anti-lynching efforts?
f. What did the NAACP do during the 30’s and 40’s?
g. Describe two crimes of retribution against NAACP members.
h. Why was the NAACP criticized during the Civil Rights movement?
i. Who were some of the celebrities that assisted the NAACP during this time?
j. What does NAACP stand for?
Medgar Evers
2. Mute the video. Scroll to the bottom of the text. Read the last few paragraphs and then go to the second page to answer to questions.
a. Describe Evers’ death, burial, and the effect it had on the nation.
b.Describe the case against the convicted killer and the final result.
c.How has Evers’ wife been involved since his death?
3. How is the NAACP involved today?
Scottsboro Trials
1. Name two reasons why the Scottsboro Trials are still studied today.
2.Describe the event that led to the arrest of the nine defendants. Include names, date, and important details.
3.Why did the Scottsboro case become an international cause?
4.Why is the trial known as Scottsboro? Describe the mood outside of the courtroom? What was the result of the trial? Did the defendants receive a fair trial? Why or why not?
5.Which organization became involved after the first trial? Summarize what happened from the 3 following paragraphs.
6.What was Powell v. Alabama?
7.Describe the 2nd and 3rd trials and their outcomes?
8.Why did Liebowitz refuse to work for the ILD?
9.Why did the supreme court overrule the third convictions?
10. Summarize what ultimately happened to Patterson, Powell, Norris, both Wrights, Weems, Montgomery, Roberson, and Williams. Write 5-8 sentences.
American Experience--Scottsboro An American Tragedy
11. Scan through a few of the New York Times stories about the case. How would these stories differ from those reported by an African American newspaper? (1 paragraph).
1963 Birmingham Church Bombing
1. Read about Birmingham, Alabama in the 50’s and 60’s. In your own words write a paragraph describing what the city was like during the Civil Rights era.
2.Read “Innocent Victims” chapter one from 1963 Birmingham Church Bombing on Google Books or the library has one copy. Type responses to the following questions. What were the names and ages of the girls who were killed? What part of the church blew up? How many people were injured? Why was the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church a target? Who was responsible for the bomb?
3.Read the second and third newspaper articles, “Tension Mounts” and “Birmingham Pays Homage”, found on this page . Write a paragraph describing the aftermath of the church bombing.
4.Read “Pursuing the Past” (Start reading a couple of paragraphs above the heading Investigating the Case). Describe the developments and conclusion of the criminal cases for each of the four suspects: Robert E. Chambliss, Bobby Frank Cherry, Herman Frank Cash and Thomas E. Blanton.
5.Read this Washington Post article. Write a short summary of this article describing what finally happened to Bobby Frank Cherry and his court case. Include important, specific details.
Visit the websites associated with your assigned topic and type your responses in a Word document.
Plessy v. Ferguson
1. Think about the following questions and type your answers. (Answer 2 questions selecting from questions 2a-d.
2. Now read the background and answer the questions (6 total). Different reading levels. (Click on background tab)
3. Next read about how the case arrived at the Supreme Court. (Start reading at the bottom).
4. Answer questions 4 and 5 found on the majority opinion page.
5. Look at the cartoon.
6. Read The Impact of the Case (2 paragraphs). Pick one of the four situations and answer the two questions found in the paragraph under directions.
Brown v. Board of Education
1. Think about the following questions and type your answers. (Answer 2 questions selecting from questions 2a-d.
2. Now read the background and answer the questions (4 total). Different reading levels. (Click on background tab)
3. Next read about how the case arrived at the Supreme Court. (Start reading at the bottom). Answer the following question: How did the first Supreme Court ruling differ from that of the district court in Kansas?
4. Answer questions 1,5, and 6 from the majority opinion page.
5.Read two editorials from Immediate Reaction to the Decision. Answer question #1 but write two answers. One for a supportive editorial and one that rejects the court’s decision.
Little Rock Nine
This website discusses the Prudence Crandall Museum and the Little Rock Nine. You will just be focusing on the Little Rock Nine.
1.Read the second paragraph (begins with “At the intersection”) then scroll to the links at the bottom.
2.Click on Getting Started: Inquiry Question. Look at the photograph and answer the question. (Describe what is happening, look for details people, time period, why was the picture taken? What questions do you have about the photo?) Your response should be several sentences
3.Click continue on the bottom of the page and read Setting the Stage. Answer the following questions:
a.Describe how African Americans were treated before and after the Civil War.
b.How did the Supreme Court decision of 1954 change our educational policy?
c. Click continue to look at the map.
4. Read All Eyes on Little Rock and answer the questions (8 total)
5. Click Continue until you can see photos 5,6,7. Answer question #1 under photo 7.
Jim Crow Laws
1.Read the first paragraph and skim through the list of Jim Crow Laws. Notice those that seem interesting, strange, or especially mean.
a.Write a response to two of these laws. Describe the law in your own words, explain why you picked it and your reaction. (2-3 sentences each).
b.Then write a response to the following questions: Imagine you are an African-American living in the South during this time. What would it have been like living under these conditions? Knowing your personality how would you have reacted? Now answer the last question assuming you are a White Southern. What do you think of these laws? You should have at least two paragraphs to answer these questions.
2.Next visit the website Remembering Jim Crow. There are 6 different webpages found under Documentary Sections (Bitter Times, Danger, Violence, Exploitation, etc.) Visit each one and read the paragraph found on each page. Answer the following questions:
a.How long did the Jim Crow laws last and Why were they first implemented?
b.Describe what it was like for an African American to live during this time. How were assertive African Americans treated?
c.What does “living behind the veil” mean?
d.Describe the prevailing beliefs of the 1890’s that justified the Jim Crow laws.
e.How did African Americans “fight” the Jim Crow laws?
f.How are the Jim Crow laws remembered?
3. Define the term Jim Crow and describe how the term evolved. Visit this website to help answer these questions.
Montgomery Bus Boycott
1. Go to Montgomery Boycott. (Click on enter site). At the top of the page click on Overview.
a.Why do we remember Rosa Parks when others were arrested for the same charges?
b.How did E.D. Nixon contribute to the effort?
c.What was Nixon and Robinson’s plan?
d.Write a short summary of Robison’s flier.
e.What is the significance of Mon. Dec. 5?
f. What was the name of the new organization leading the boycott? Who was chosen as the leader and why?
g. How long did the boycott last? Why was it able to be sustained for so long?
h.Describe intimidation tactics that were used to try and end the boycott.
i. Write a short summary of the Browder v. Gayle court case and how it’s related to the bus boycott.
j. Why did the bus boycott end?
2.Write at least 4-5 sentences to answer one of the following questions: Why is a boycott an effective strategy? What obstacles stood in their way? What are some of the strategies for transforming institutional racism? How can every day people organize to transform a community?
3.Click on the link Newspaper Front Pages. Find an article associated with the bus boycott.
Write the name of the article and briefly describe its contents.
March on Washington
1.Read these articles The March.pdf and 40th Anniversary, both from PBS. Answer the following questions:
a.What was the official title of the march and who organized it?
b.Who opposed the march?
c.How did President Kennedy feel about it?
d.What events lead up to the march?
e.Describe some of the logistics of organizing the march.
f.Was the March a success? Why or why not? What happened afterwards?
2. Skim read the text of Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech “I Have a Dream”? Answer the following questions:
a. King refers to a past American in the beginning of his speech. Who is it and why would King refer to this person?
b. King quotes some famous documents and songs. Find the quotes and give their reference.
c. King also refers to the "promises of democracy" not being fulfilled in American society at the time. What would those promises be and in what ways were they not being fulfilled?
d. The speech alludes to the laws at the time that segregated blacks from whites, particularly in schools, buses, restaurants, lodging facilities and public restrooms. These policies were collectively known as "separate but equal" and were ultimately dismantled by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. What prevents "separate but equal" from being practiced fairly in society, and why must there be legislation to assure it is not practiced? On the other hand, could our society today practice such a policy fairly if it were what the majority of Americans wanted?
e. An additional line from "I Have a Dream" states that, "we must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence." King was deeply committed to a philosophy of nonviolent protest. What renowned leaders from the past held a similar view?
f. Malcolm X, unlike King, believed that violence was necessary to facilitate change in the prejudicial policies of society. When, if ever, do you see violence as necessary to correct injustices?
3. What is Martin Luther King’s legacy?
NAACP & Medgar Evers
1. Visit the official NAACP website. Read about the history of the NAACP.
a. Why was the NAACP formed?
b. Who started the organization?
c. What is its objective?
d. What was one of the early court battles and what was it about?
e. How did the association aide in anti-lynching efforts?
f. What did the NAACP do during the 30’s and 40’s?
g. Describe two crimes of retribution against NAACP members.
h. Why was the NAACP criticized during the Civil Rights movement?
i. Who were some of the celebrities that assisted the NAACP during this time?
j. What does NAACP stand for?
Medgar Evers
2. Mute the video. Scroll to the bottom of the text. Read the last few paragraphs and then go to the second page to answer to questions.
a. Describe Evers’ death, burial, and the effect it had on the nation.
b.Describe the case against the convicted killer and the final result.
c.How has Evers’ wife been involved since his death?
3. How is the NAACP involved today?
Scottsboro Trials
1. Name two reasons why the Scottsboro Trials are still studied today.
2.Describe the event that led to the arrest of the nine defendants. Include names, date, and important details.
3.Why did the Scottsboro case become an international cause?
4.Why is the trial known as Scottsboro? Describe the mood outside of the courtroom? What was the result of the trial? Did the defendants receive a fair trial? Why or why not?
5.Which organization became involved after the first trial? Summarize what happened from the 3 following paragraphs.
6.What was Powell v. Alabama?
7.Describe the 2nd and 3rd trials and their outcomes?
8.Why did Liebowitz refuse to work for the ILD?
9.Why did the supreme court overrule the third convictions?
10. Summarize what ultimately happened to Patterson, Powell, Norris, both Wrights, Weems, Montgomery, Roberson, and Williams. Write 5-8 sentences.
American Experience--Scottsboro An American Tragedy
11. Scan through a few of the New York Times stories about the case. How would these stories differ from those reported by an African American newspaper? (1 paragraph).
1963 Birmingham Church Bombing
1. Read about Birmingham, Alabama in the 50’s and 60’s. In your own words write a paragraph describing what the city was like during the Civil Rights era.
2.Read “Innocent Victims” chapter one from 1963 Birmingham Church Bombing on Google Books or the library has one copy. Type responses to the following questions. What were the names and ages of the girls who were killed? What part of the church blew up? How many people were injured? Why was the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church a target? Who was responsible for the bomb?
3.Read the second and third newspaper articles, “Tension Mounts” and “Birmingham Pays Homage”, found on this page . Write a paragraph describing the aftermath of the church bombing.
4.Read “Pursuing the Past” (Start reading a couple of paragraphs above the heading Investigating the Case). Describe the developments and conclusion of the criminal cases for each of the four suspects: Robert E. Chambliss, Bobby Frank Cherry, Herman Frank Cash and Thomas E. Blanton.
5.Read this Washington Post article. Write a short summary of this article describing what finally happened to Bobby Frank Cherry and his court case. Include important, specific details.