21.1 "Taking on Segregation" (Guided Reading Lesson)

​The Civil Rights Act of 1875 aimed to ensure equal rights for all citizens, regardless of race, in public accommodations like hotels and theaters.

However, it was struck down by the Supreme Court in 1883, ruling that the federal government couldn't regulate private acts of discrimination.

This decision weakened the protections provided by the act and allowed segregation and discrimination to persist until later civil rights laws were passed.

Multiple Choice

What was the main purpose of the Civil Rights Act of 1875?

• To ensure equal rights for all citizens in public accommodations such as hotels and theaters

• To provide free education for all children.

Multiple Choice

What was the impact of the Supreme Court's ruling on the Civil Rights Act of 1875?

• The ruling weakened the protections provided by the act and allowed segregation and discrimination to persist.

• The ruling strengthened state-level protections against discrimination

In 1896, the Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson upheld the idea of "separate but equal" treatment for different races.


This decision allowed segregation laws to continue, leading to separate facilities and services for African Americans and white people.

Multiple Choice

Which statement accurately describes the outcome of the Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson?

• Racial segregation was upheld under the 'separate but equal' doctrine.

• The case ruled in favor of desegregation in public facilities.

During World War I, many African Americans moved from the South to the North in a period known as
the Great Migration, seeking better job opportunities and escaping discrimination.


However, they still faced racism and segregation in the North, including in housing and employment. 

Multiple Choice

What was one main reason why many African Americans moved from the South to the North during

World War I?

• Better job opportunities in industrial cities and escape discrimination

• To attend newly desegregated schools.

Multiple Choice

What was a challenge faced by African Americans who moved from the South to the North during

World War I?

• They still experienced racism and segregation in housing and employment.

• They were not allowed to vote in their new communities.

World War II played a significant role in laying the groundwork for the Civil Rights Movement.



During the war, many African Americans served in the military and worked in factories to support the war effort, yet they faced discrimination and segregation.



This experience of fighting for freedom and equality abroad while facing inequality at home inspired many African Americans to demand civil rights and equality upon returning from the war.

Multiple Choice

How did World War II impact African Americans' involvement in the workforce?

• Increased job opportunities in industries like manufacturing and defense due to labor shortages.

• Decreased job opportunities in agriculture and service industries

Multiple Choice

What effect did World War II have on the Civil Rights Movement?

• Many African Americans were inspired to demand civil rights and equality.

• 
  It caused the Civil Rights Movement to lose support.

At the start of the Civil Rights Movement, the
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) used legal strategies to fight against segregation and discrimination.


They focused on challenging unfair laws and policies through court cases, aiming to secure equal rights for African Americans. 

Multiple Choice

Which organization used legal strategies to fight against segregation and discrimination at the start of the Civil Rights Movement?

• NAACP

• CORE

Multiple Choice

What was the main goal of the NAACP at the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement?

• To challenge unfair laws and policies through court cases

• To organize peaceful protests against segregation

Several of the cases became legal milestones, each chipping away at the segregation platform of Plessy v. Ferguson.


In the 1946 case Morgan v. Virginia, the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional those state laws mandating segregated seating on interstate buses.


In 1950, the high court ruled in Sweatt v. Painter that state law schools must admit black applicants, even if separate black schools exist. 

Multiple Choice

In the case Morgan v. Virginia, what did the Supreme Court rule?

• That state laws mandating segregated seating on interstate buses were unconstitutional.

• That state laws mandating segregated seating on trains were unconstitutional.

Multiple Choice

What was the outcome of the Sweatt v. Painter case?

• 
  State law schools were required to admit black applicants, even if separate black schools existed.

• 
  State law schools were required to admit black applicants only if separate black schools existed.

Thurgood Marshall was a NAACP lawyer who fought for civil rights and equality for all people.


He played a crucial role in the Civil Rights Movement by working to end segregation, particularly in schools, through landmark cases like
Brown v. Board of Education.


Marshall's dedication to justice and his work as the first African American Supreme Court justice inspired many to continue the fight for equal rights.

Multiple Choice

What organization was Thurgood Marshall a lawyer for during the Civil Rights Movement?

• 
  The NAACP

• 
  Niagara Movement

Multiple Choice

Which landmark case did Thurgood Marshall work on to end segregation in schools?

• Brown v. Board of Education

• Morgan v. Virginia

Multiple Choice

What was Thurgood Marshall's significance as a Supreme Court justice?

• He became the first African American to serve on the Supreme Court.

• He became the first African American to serve in the Senate.

Marshall’s most stunning victory came on May 17, 1954, in the case known as Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka.



"Brown v. Board of Education Topeka" was an important court case in the United States.



It made it illegal to have separate schools for white and Black students.



This decision helped make schools more fair and equal for everyone.

Multiple Choice

What was the outcome of the case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka?

• It made it illegal to have separate schools for white and Black students

• It allowed each state to decide whether to have separate schools.

Brown v. Board of Education was initially met with resistance and controversy in the United States.



Some people disagreed with the decision to end segregation in schools and tried to resist its implementation.



However, over time, the decision gained acceptance as people recognized the importance of equal education for all children regardless of race.

Multiple Choice

How was Brown v. Board of Education initially received in the United States?

• With resistance and controversy

• With immediate acceptance and celebration

Multiple Choice

What was one reason why some people resisted the implementation of Brown v. Board of Education?

• Because they disagreed with the decision to end segregation in schools

• 
  Because they believed in equal education for all children regardless of race

Multiple Choice

How did opinions on Brown v. Board of Education change with time?

• Opinions changed from resistance to acceptance as society evolved towards supporting desegregation and racial equality.

• Opinions remained stagnant over time with no significant changes.

The Little Rock Nine were a group of African American students who bravely enrolled in Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas in 1957.



They faced tremendous opposition and were initially prevented from entering the school by the Arkansas National Guard under orders from the governor.



Eventually, with the help of federal troops, they were able to attend school, paving the way for desegregation in education across the country.

Multiple Choice

Who were the Little Rock Nine?

• A group of African American students who bravely enrolled in Little Rock Central High School.

• A group of soldiers in the Arkansas National Guard.

Multiple Choice

What obstacle did the Little Rock Nine face when trying to attend school?

• They were initially prevented from entering the school by the Arkansas National Guard.

• They were denied transportation to school.

Multiple Choice

What significant change did the Little Rock Nine help bring about?

• They were the first African American students to attend an integrated school in Little Rock.

• They initiated a lawsuit against the state of Arkansas.

Rosa Parks was a courageous woman who became an important figure in the Civil Rights Movement.



In 1955, she refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white person, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott.



Her actions led to changes in the law and inspired others to stand up against segregation and discrimination.

Multiple Choice

What action did Rosa Parks take in 1955 that sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott?

• She refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white person.

• She organized a protest march.

The Montgomery Bus Boycott was a powerful protest led by African American citizens in Alabama in 1955.




They refused to ride the city's buses to protest segregation laws that required them to give up their seats to white passengers.




This successful boycott lasted over a year and led to the desegregation of buses in Montgomery, inspiring other nonviolent protests in the Civil Rights Movement.

Multiple Choice

What was the main goal of the Montgomery Bus Boycott?

• To protest segregation laws on city buses.

• To promote the use of public transportation.

Multiple Choice

How did the Montgomery Bus Boycott impact segregation on buses?

• It resulted in the desegregation of buses in Montgomery.

• It led to stricter segregation laws.

Martin Luther King Jr. played a key role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott by leading the protest against segregation on city buses.



He emerged as a prominent leader during this time, advocating for nonviolent resistance and inspiring others to join the movement.



Additionally, King was a founding member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), which aimed to coordinate civil rights efforts across the South and advance the cause of equality through peaceful means.

Multiple Choice

What was Martin Luther King Jr.'s role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott?

• He led the protest against segregation on city buses.

• He was a passenger who refused to give up his seat.

Multiple Choice

What organization did Martin Luther King Jr. help found to coordinate civil rights efforts?

• The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)

• Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)

Martin Luther King Jr. believed in peaceful resistance to racism and injustice.




He encouraged nonviolent protests, such as marches and boycotts, to bring attention to the need for civil rights.




King's approach emphasized love, understanding, and working together to create positive change in society.

Multiple Choice

What did Martin Luther King Jr. believe was the best way to fight racism and injustice?

• Through peaceful resistance, such as marches and boycotts

• Through violent protests and riots

Multiple Choice

What values did Martin Luther King Jr.'s approach to fighting for civil rights emphasize?

• 
  Love, understanding, and working together

• By isolating oneself from society

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) was a group founded by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others in 1957 to fight for civil rights.



They believed in using peaceful methods like protests and marches to bring about change.



The SCLC played a key role in the Civil Rights Movement, helping to end segregation and promote equality for all people.

Multiple Choice

Who founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957?

• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others

• James Meredith

Multiple Choice

What methods did the SCLC believe in using to fight for civil rights?

• Peaceful methods like protests and marches

• Violent protests and riots

The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) was a group of young people who worked together during the Civil Rights Movement.





They believed in using peaceful methods, like sit-ins and protests, to fight for equal rights for African Americans.





SNCC played a big part in making changes to unfair laws and practices that discriminated against Black people.

Multiple Choice

What was the main goal of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) during the

Civil Rights Movement?

• To use peaceful methods, like sit-ins and protests, to fight for equal rights

• Focus on international diplomacy, ignoring the issues of segregation and discrimination

Sit-ins were peaceful protests where people sat down in places like restaurants or businesses to challenge segregation and unfair treatment.

They refused to leave until they were served or their demands were met.

Sit-ins helped bring attention to the injustice of segregation and played a role in ending it during the Civil Rights Movement.

Multiple Choice

What was the main purpose of sit-ins during the Civil Rights Movement?

• To demand equal treatment and challenge segregation

• To cause destruction and chaos

Multiple Choice

Where did sit-ins typically take place during the Civil Rights Movement?

• Segregated lunch counters in restaurants

• Movie theaters

The sit-in movement had a big impact on the Civil Rights Movement.





It involved African American people sitting peacefully at segregated lunch counters, demanding to be served like everyone else.




These protests helped to end segregation in many places and showed the power of peaceful protest in creating change

Multiple Choice

What impact did sit-ins have on the Civil Rights Movement?

• They helped end segregation in many places and showed the power of peaceful protest.

• They led to violent clashes between protesters and authorities.

​MAIN IDEA

​The Civil Rights Movement aimed to end segregation and discrimination against African Americans. Important legal battles, like Brown v. Board of Education, challenged segregation in schools and paved the way for equal education opportunities. Through nonviolent protests and leadership from figures like Martin Luther King Jr., the movement fought for civil rights and equality for all.

​WHY IT MATTERS NOW

​Landmark Supreme Court decisions beginning in 1954 have guaranteed civil rights for Americans today.