MAY 2000
Compare the significance of the events at Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957 with those at Birmingham, Alabama in 1963 in the campaign for civil rights by African-Americans.
Both situations eventually drew in the federal government to overrule the local state authority. The power of television helped make the incidents national news. At Little Rock desegregation was started at the instigation of the local school board in line with the 1954 Supreme Court ruling, thus Federal troops were used to enforce that decision. Little Rock might be seen as setting a precedent for forcing through desegregation of education in the South, e.g. University of Mississippi 1961. On the other hand, desegregation in education proceeded slowly, and it might be asked whether the policy was truly successful. King continued his campaign of confronting the denial of civil rights though others might argue that he was riding a revolt against African-Americans. The events of 1963 might be seen as crucial in making the 1964 Civil Rights Act a reality, though the actual impact of the legislation and the extent of the change brought about by Kingís campaign might be discussed by stronger students.
An answer that gives an accurate account of these events and comments upon possible significance, but in a general fashion suggesting a continuity of progress, is likely to achieve [11 to 13 marks]. For [14 marks] or above, the answer will show ability to identify different features of the two situations and explore the significance of the various aspects.
NOV 2001
What impact did ëBlack Powerí have on the civil rights movement?
Answers should define Black Power, and trace its emergence to the continuation of racism after the legal victories of 1964 and 1965, and to disillusion with the ideal of peaceful change in co-operation with whites. The most enduring impact of the movement was to create a division within the civil rights movement between traditional black organisations that emphasised co-operation with whites and those that demanded a more radical approach: e.g. Black Panthers and Nation of Islam; Malcolm X.
NOV 2001 A
Assess the impact of Martin Luther King on the Civil Rights movement.
Martin Luther King emerged as a leader of the civil rights movement in 1955 with the Montgomery Bus Boycott. For the next thirteen years, as a leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an interracial group, he was the most influential black leader of the country. The popular movement that he came to represent spread throughout the South and the country. During this period King effectively applied the philosophy of non-violence and civil disobedience to protesting against the segregation laws in the south. His non-violent methods included boycotts, sit-ins, and marches. It was, however, this policy which helped to create internal divisions within the civil rights movement. King influenced politicians such as Kennedy and Johnson into action with events such as the demonstration in Birmingham, Alabama and the March on Washington in 1963 which brought about the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Also significant was the Selma Montgomery March in 1965, also later that year the Voters Rights was signed by the president. However, by 1966, King’s leadership began to decline. Many young radicals, particularly in the North, criticized him for being too moderate and inclusive in his movement. New attitudes and leaders emerged wanting a more radical, aggressive approach causing the Civil Rights movement to split.
This question is not asking for a narrative account of Martin Luther King’s career.
NOV 2002
Why had the civil rights movement come to the forefront of national attention in the United States by 1964?
Several factors can be mentioned in answering this question: activism after Second World War; growth of an urban black middle class; television and other forms of culture; Cold War; organizations for political mobilization of African-Americans; the Vietnam War.
MAY 2003
Account for the development of the Civil Rights movement in the USA during the 1950s. To what extent had the movement achieved its aims by the time of the March on Washington (August 1963)?
Account for. Candidates could refer to the leadership of Martin Luther King Jr, including leading campaigns to desegregate all public facilities (schools, restaurants, transportation, etc.) and to win for blacks the unrestricted right to vote and hold public office. Also influential were various organizations (Southern Christian Leadership Conference, National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People, Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, etc.) and the appeal of the movement’s aims and non-violent methods.
To what extent. In assessing the extent of the Civil Rights movement’s success in achieving its aims by 1963, candidates could refer to some of the following:
· Legal and judicial gains culminating in the Supreme Court case of Brown versus Board of Education of Topeka (1954) against school segregation.
· Montgomery bus boycott (1955) which won desegregation of seats.
· Federal troops sent to Little Rock (1957) to enforce school desegregation.
· Civil Rights Acts (1957, 1960) that set criminal sanctions for racial violence.
· Student sit-ins in 1960–61 that forced desegregation of cinemas, supermarkets, libraries and other public facilities.
· On the other hand, the ending of discrimination in public accommodation and employment as well as the lifting of restrictions on the right of blacks to vote were not immediately achieved.
Do not expect all the above. Maximum [12 marks] if only one part of the question is addressed.
[17 to 20 marks] for addressing the question in a direct and focused manner, with detailed explanation of development and perceptive assessment of what had and had not been achieved by 1963.
NOV 2003
In what ways, and for what reasons, did the African American struggle for civil rights in the United States change between the early and late 1960s?
What ways: the civil rights movement changed from the early sixties emphasis on integration and non violent tactics to a more radical movement in the late sixties and early seventies with emphasis on cultural identity, black nationalism, separatism and self improvement. Examples of the first phase of Civil Rights: Martin Luther King’s leadership and philosophy, sit-ins, freedom rides; the March on Washington (1963); March to Alabama (1965). Examples for the second phase: Black Muslims and Malcolm X’s advocacy of self-defence – using black violence to counter white violence. Black Power and the Black Panthers; race riots which erupted in black neighbourhoods of major cities from 1964 through 1968.
For what reasons: some African Americans argued that racist attitudes and institutions were too deeply entrenched in American society for integration to work. Despite the Civil rights Acts of 1964 and 1965, young African Americans, particularly in the North, were losing patience with the slow progress towards equality and the continued violence against their people by white extremists. The Kerner Commission, a federal investigation of the riots of the mid sixties, agreed with them. It concluded that racism and segregation were chiefly responsible and that the United States was becoming “two societies, one black, one white – separate but unequal”. The issue of civil rights had spread far beyond de jure segregation practised under the law in the South and now included de facto segregation and discrimination in the North and West.
NOV 2004
Explain why and how the Civil Rights movement became more radical as the 1960s progressed.
Why: some African Americans argued that racist attitudes and institutions were too deeply entrenched in American society for integration to work. Despite the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1965, young African Americans, particularly in the north, were losing patience with the slow progress toward equality and the continued violence against their people by white extremists. The Kerner Commission, a federal investigation of the riots of the mid sixties, agreed with them. It concluded that racism and segregation were chiefly responsible and that the United States was becoming “two societies, one black, one white-separate but unequal.” The issue of civil rights had spread far beyond de jure segregation practiced under the law in the south and now included de facto segregation and discrimination in the north and west.
How: the civil rights movement changed from the early sixties emphasis on integration and non violent tactics to a more radical movement in the late sixties and early seventies with emphasis on cultural identity, black nationalism, separatism and self improvement. Examples of the first phase of Civil Rights: Martin Luther King’s leadership and philosophy, sit-ins, freedom rides; the March on Washington (1963); March to Alabama (1965). Examples for the second phase: Black Muslims and Malcolm Xs advocacy of self-defense using black violence to counter white violence. Black Power and the Black Panthers; race riots which erupted in the black neighborhoods of major cities from 1964 through 1968.
MAY 2005
Evaluate the impact of Black Power on the civil rights movement in the United States during the second half of the 1960s.
In 1966 Stokely Carmichael advocated that the civil rights movement redefine itself by the concept “Black Power”, by which he meant that African-Americans should create their own base of political, economic and social power independent of – and separate from – whites. Evaluation of impact could include use of some of the following: Black Power provided a focus for those who questioned the ideals of peaceful change in co-operation with whites, were disillusioned with the continuation of racism after the legal victories of 1964 and 1965, and wanted a more radical policy. It led to a schism in the movement; many whites turned against the civil rights movement. It highlighted that the movement had not brought economic improvements to many African-Americans, particularly in the North; it increased cultural awareness among many African-Americans. It also meant that the issue of civil rights now included de facto segregation and discrimination in the North and West. Answers are likely to refer to the Black Panthers, Black Muslims and Malcolm X, but do not expect all the above.
NOV 2006
In what ways, and for what reasons, was there a shift in the focus and activities of US civil rights organizations by the mid-1960s?
Candidates should explain the shift from the Martin Luther King era of peaceful protest to a more militant and confrontational phase. Reasons could include that achievements of the first phase did not address major problems of urban and Northern African-Americans; also the belief that although the first phase had accomplished its main legal goals with the passage of Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act, discrimination was still prevalent; that new leadership challenged King; that the country as a whole was in a more militant stage. More sophisticated candidates will note that even the traditional civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s was becoming more militant as can be seen in the actions of SNCC and CORE and both at the time and now, different perceptions and points of view have been offered to explain the shift.
MAY 2006
For what reasons, and in what ways, did the Civil Rights movement in the United States become more radical between 1965 and 1968?
For what reasons: some African Americans argued that racist attitudes and institutions were too deeply entrenched in American society for integration to work. Despite the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1965, young African Americans, particularly in the North, were losing patience with the slow progress toward equality and the continued violence against their people by white extremists. The Kerner Commission, a federal investigation of the riots of the mid sixties, agreed with them. It concluded that racism and segregation were chiefly responsible and that the United States was becoming “two societies, one black, one white – separate but unequal.” The issue of civil rights had spread far beyond de jure segregation practised under the law in the South and now included de facto segregation and discrimination in the North and West.
In what ways: the civil rights movement changed from the early sixties emphasis on integration and non violent tactics to a more radical movement in the late sixties and early seventies with emphasis on cultural identity, black nationalism, separatism and self improvement. Examples of the first phase of Civil Rights: Martin Luther King’s leadership and philosophy, sit-ins, freedom rides; the March on Washington (1963); March to Alabama (1965). Examples for the second phase: Black Muslims and Malcolm X’s advocacy of self- defence using black violence to counter white violence. Black Power and the Black Panthers; race riots which erupted in black neighbourhoods of major cities from 1964 through 1968.
MAY 2007
To what extent had African Americans in the United States gained their civil and political rights by 1968?
By 1968, African Americans’ civil and political rights had progressed a long way in just a quarter of a century: segregation in public places had disappeared from all but the most resistant parts of the Deep South. This was a remarkable achievement in such a short time. Most transport facilities were now thoroughly integrated. Far more African Americans were now registered to vote. Racial integration of schools was now proceeding in many states. Where housing patterns discouraged this, the possibility of busing students from one area to another to achieve a racial mix had been introduced. Armed forces integration was well established and African Americans were starting to rise to high rank both within the forces and in many different walks of life. By the time of Martin Luther King’s assassination, legal segregation was rapidly coming to an end in the “Old South”. However, the fact was segregation still existed across the United States. Although African Americans could vote freely, many still faced severe economic hardship and poor educational systems and housing compared with whites. African Americans still faced far greater social and economic problems than the majority of the white population. Instead of being a year of triumph for African Americans, 1968 became a year of riots in almost every major city of the United States. The Civil Rights movement was weakened and divided over tactics. Its two greater spokesmen had been assassinated.
Candidates should focus on “to what extent” by discussing the gains obtained but also making assessment of the conditions of the civil rights movement by 1968. Accept discussion of the specifics of the movement but if no assessment is made of conditions by 1968, mark out of [12 marks].
NOV 2007
Analyse the reasons for the rise of the Civil Rights movement in the United States after the Second World War.
A number of factors are involved in the emergence of the Civil Rights movement. African-American participation in World War II had both positive and negative effects. On one hand, they were credited with bravery in battle and groups such as the Tuskeegee Airmen were admired. Still, military units were segregated as were blood banks and African-American soldiers were often treated worse than the POWs they were guarding in the Southern United States. These kinds of things were motivators for young men who fought in the war, and felt that a country fighting against racism abroad should also be addressing the question at home. After the war, the GI Bill of Rights gave young African-Americans opportunities for professional training and helped them join the middle class. By the 1950s, NAACP cases that had been in the court system for years were coming to the Supreme Court, culminating in the landmark Brown vs. Board of education 1954. Another factor was the Cold War. US racial policy was prime propaganda material for the USSR in appealing to Third World countries. When Eisenhower sent troops to Little Rock, world opinion was a key reason. Kennedy was also concerned about world opinion when he saw the TV coverage of the 1963 events in Birmingham, Alabama. The increasing news coverage by television also served the cause. Another fortunate factor was the emergence of talented and inspiring leadership in the African-American community. In the early days of the movement, many African-American Southern ministers and other professionals were willing to lead in often dangerous circumstances. Candidates will no doubt mention Martin Luther King Jr, but other examples should also be credited.
MAY 2008
What were the reasons for the change in the Civil Rights Movement in the United States during the second half of the 1960s?
MAY 2009
How successful was the supreme court in challenging segregation in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s?
“Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X had similar philosophies but used different methods to campaign for civil rights.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?
MAY 2010 Sample exam
How did Malcolm X and the Black Panthers affect the goals of the Civil Rights Movement?
Some of the following issues could be discussed:
· Malcolm X: voice of Nation of Islam in the 1950’s and early 1960’s initially proposed militant tactics as opposed to King’s strategy of nonviolence but later changed his views and working with nonviolent organizations. His emphasis on selfsufficiency and armed defence was a call for other activists dissatisfied with the nonviolence approach
· One of these groups was the Black Panthers Party for SelfDefence. Unlike previous Civil Rights organizations, the Black Panthers demanded immediate equality for all blacks, including increased and fair employment opportunities, exemption from military service in Vietnam, health care and educational services. Whereas Malcolm X had merely preached revolution, the Black Panthers prepared for war. Their extremism and willingness to use violence alienated and threatened many moderate whites in the North. The federal government also perceived the Panthers as a threat and cracked down on the group between 1968 and 1969, effectively dissolving the organization.
11. Civil rights and social movements in the Americas
This section focuses on the origins, nature, challenges and achievements of civil rights movements after 1945.
Movements represented the attempts to achieve equality for groups that were not recognized or accepted
as full members of society. The groups challenged established authority and entrenched attitudes.
• Native Americans and civil rights: Latin America, the United States and Canada
• African Americans and the Civil Rights Movement: origins, tactics and organizations; the US Supreme
court and legal challenges to segregation in education; ending of the segregation in the South
(1955‑65)
• Role of Dr Martin Luther King in the Civil Rights Movement; the rise of radical African American activism
(1965‑8): Black Panthers; Black Muslims; Black Power and Malcolm X
• Role of governments in civil rights movements in the Americas
• Youth culture and protests of the 1960s and 1970s: characteristics and manifestation of a
counterculture
• Feminist movements in the Americas
No comments:
Post a Comment