Topic 11 Concept Guide

MLK & Civil Disobedience - Leader of Civil rights movement during the 1960's; believed in peaceful protest; shot and killed in 1968. Organized acts of civil disobedience such as peace walks, strikes, sit-ins, and protests.

Power of "The Mob" - "2 is greater than 1" The more people you have behind a cause or against a power, the more power you have yourself. They power you are standing up against cannot possibly punish a mass mob of people, but instead compromise, or give in to them to return order.

Plessy V. Ferguson - Separate but equal was constitutional.

Brown V. Board of Education - Oliver Brown went to court with the School Board on behalf of his 8 year old daughter. Supreme Court ruled that segregation was unlawful.

Civil Rights Goals - Equal opportunity and treatment, desegregation, equal rights and facilities, and equal job opportunities.

Eisenhower's role in Little Rock - Legally made sure the 9 black students of Little Rock were able to attend their high school by sending in 1,000 soldiers to escort them in. Even though he did not fully agree, he respected the law.

Rights of the accused - 1.) Right to Representation 2.) Right to council 3.) Miranda Rights


Chavez and the UFW - Chavez founded the UFW and wanted representation for under paid, over worked farm workers. Organized many strikes, Union opportunities, and hunger strikes to strengthen his cause. Against immigration for it would defeat the purpose.

Sit-In's and Other protests - purpose was to peacefully demonstrate that they would not back down, and would continue to stand and pacifically fight for their equal opportunities that they were entitled to as American citizens.

Modern Civil Rights Era

               After reading the news article about the Situation at the Jena, Louisiana, it's hard to believe that something like this still continues to happen today. As we said in class, our generation seems to be one that sees race and color less, and less; and unfortunately, this is proof that there will always be hatred and racism throughout our society, even though the mass majority have done their best to abolish it. This particular incident is very similar, yet very different from the Little Rock scenario. They both deal with the issue of race in public schools, and the racist acts which are aimed towards blacks. However, the crowds and protesters are the exact opposite. In the Little Rock event, the protesters were angry Caucasians who were furious with the thought of integrated schools and thought racism was more than okay; but in the Jena case, it was the blacks and whites alike who thought that the acts of racism were wrong, and should be punished more severely.