The Little Rock Nine - 1957 De-segregation of schools – 1954
After segregation of schools had been The NAACP (National Association for the
abolished, a group of nine black students Advancement of Coloured People)
started at Little Rock High school. But they successfully campaigned for segregated
were faced with angry protesters and federal schools to be banned, claiming that it was
troops (army) had to escort them into the harmful to black students and
racially segregated school. unconstitutional. The Supreme Court agreed
and schools were integrated.
Student sit-ins – 1960 The Klu Klux Klan – 1915
Students sit at white only food counters in A second wave of the Ku Klux Klan was
places like Woolworths - many are arrested formed; this was a group of extremists who
and beaten by police opposed African-Americans and many
religious groups.
Civil Rights Act - 1964 Rosa Parks – 1955
This law recognised that black Americans Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give
lived in poorer housing, had lower paid jobs up her seat for a white person. To support
and less access to healthcare and education. her, many white and African Americans
The Act tried to bring equality by making the boycotted buses in Montgomery, Alabama.
segregation of public places illegal. The bus company lost 80% of its profits and
Many southern states opposed this law, and was forced to de-segregate its buses.
many felt it didn’t do enough.
MLK’s I have a Dream speech – 1963 The Voting Rights Act – 1965
Over 200,000 people came to hear Martin African Americans had been prevented from
Luther King make his speech – now voting in many southern states through
recognised as one of the most famous intimidation and ‘literacy tests’. This law
speeches in history – and they took part in a made these tests illegal and as a result there
peaceful march for Civil Rights in Washington was a huge increase in African Americans
DC. registering to vote.
“Jim Crow” laws – 1870s. 1865 – Abolition of Slavery
A series of laws were introduced in southern President Abraham Lincoln abolishes slavery
states, they legalised discrimination against after his victory in the American Civil War.
black people.
Civil Rights Movement – Key Events