EOC Spot Check Consensus Culture & Civil Rights

Identify the statements that CORRECTLY describe the era of racial segregation in the United States.

• The Supreme Court case of Plessy v. Ferguson allowed "separate but equal" facilities for the races to be legal.

• Northern states did not practice racial segregation.

• The period of racial segregation in the first half of the 20th century is called the "Black Codes" era.

• The armed services were desegregated by President Truman before all of society was desegregated.

• Segregation was declared to be "unconstitutional" in the mid-1950s.

Answer explanation

READ THE QUESTION CAREFULLY!

1. The Supreme Court case of Plessy v. Ferguson allowed "separate but equal" facilities for the races to be legal.: This statement is correct. The Supreme Court's decision in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine.

2. Northern states did not practice racial segregation.: This statement is incorrect. While racial segregation was more pervasive in the Southern states, Northern states also had their own forms of segregation, albeit less institutionalized.

3. The period of racial segregation in the first half of the 20th century is called the "Black Codes" era.: This statement is incorrect. The term "Black Codes" typically refers to laws passed in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War to restrict the rights and freedoms of African Americans, rather than the era of racial segregation in the first half of the 20th century.

4. The armed services were desegregated by President Truman before all of society was desegregated.: This statement is correct. President Truman issued Executive Order 9981 in 1948, which desegregated the armed forces. However, full desegregation of society took more time and effort.

5. Segregation was declared to be "unconstitutional" in the mid-1950s.: This statement is correct. The landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 declared racial segregation in public schools to be unconstitutional, marking a significant turning point in the fight against segregation.

Based on this analysis, the statements that CORRECTLY describe the era of racial segregation in the United States are:

• The Supreme Court case of Plessy v. Ferguson allowed "separate but equal" facilities for the races to be legal.

• The armed services were desegregated by President Truman before all of society was desegregated.

• Segregation was declared to be "unconstitutional" in the mid-1950s.

Which of these is the MOST accurate example of de jure discrimination?

• places of worship for "Blacks only"

• being harassed based on one's gender

• public schools designated for "whites only"

• churches that serve a specific racial neighborhood

Answer explanation

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Public schools designated for "whites only": This option is the MOST accurate example of de jure discrimination. De jure discrimination refers to discrimination that is mandated by law or official policy. In the United States, racial segregation in public schools was enforced by laws and policies that designated certain schools for white students only, while black students were relegated to separate, often inferior, schools. This practice was upheld by the Supreme Court in the case of Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), which established the "separate but equal" doctrine, allowing for segregated facilities as long as they were deemed equal. It wasn't until the landmark Supreme Court case of Brown v. Board of Education (1954) that segregation in public schools was declared unconstitutional.

Being harassed based on one's gender: While gender-based harassment is a form of discrimination, it does not specifically relate to de jure discrimination, which is discrimination enforced by law or official policy.

Places of worship for "Blacks only": While racial segregation in places of worship was a reality in some communities, it was not typically enforced by law or official policy to the same extent as segregation in public institutions like schools.

Churches that serve a specific racial neighborhood: While churches may serve specific racial or ethnic communities, this does not necessarily constitute de jure discrimination unless it is mandated by law or official policy.

Based on this analysis, public schools designated for "whites only" is the MOST accurate example of de jure discrimination because it was enforced by law and official policy.

"NOW THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States, by the Constitution and the statutes of the United States, and as Commander in Chief of the armed services, it is hereby ordered as follows:

1. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the President that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin. This policy shall be put into effect as rapidly as possible, having due regard to the time required to effectuate any necessary changes without impairing efficiency or morale."

Executive Order 9981
July 26, 1948

This executive order to integrate the armed services was issued by

• President Dwight D. Eisenhower
• President John F. Kennedy
• President Franklin D. Roosevelt
• President Harry S. Truman

Answer explanation

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President Harry S. Truman: This option is the correct answer. Executive Order 9981, which mandated the integration of the armed services and prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin, was indeed issued by President Harry S. Truman on July 26, 1948. This executive order was a significant step toward desegregation in the United States military and was aimed at promoting equality and fairness among all service members.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower: While President Eisenhower was in office during the early years of desegregation efforts, Executive Order 9981 was issued by President Truman before Eisenhower took office.

President John F. Kennedy: President Kennedy took office in 1961, several years after Executive Order 9981 was issued by President Truman.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt: Executive Order 9981 was issued after President Roosevelt's tenure in office, during the presidency of Harry S. Truman.

Based on this analysis, the correct answer is President Harry S. Truman.

This cartoon was MOST LIKELY published in what year?

• 1918

• 1933

• 1954

• 1972

Answer explanation

READ THE QUESTION, then use the subtext in the political cartoon. Remember the 1950s is when the Civil Rights movement started to win key rulings and the most notable was Brown v. Board in 1957.

In the case of Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896, the Supreme Court expressly declared that under the 14th Amendment, no person was denied any of his rights if the States provided separate but equal facilities. This decision has been followed in many other cases. It is notable that the Supreme Court, speaking through Chief Justice Taft, a former President of the United States, unanimously declared in 1927 in Lum v. Rice that the "separate but equal" principle is "within the discretion of the State in regulating its public schools and does not conflict with the 14th Amendment." - Senator Strom Thurmond, 1956 "Southern Manifesto" Based on this passage, which court verdict was Senator Thurmond speaking against?

• Plessy v. Ferguson

• Dred Scott v. Sanford

• Brown v. Board of Education

• Regents of the University of California v. Bakke

Answer explanation

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1. American defense spending remained high: This option is the correct answer. During the Cold War, the United States maintained high levels of defense spending to counter the perceived threat from the Soviet Union. This spending stimulated economic growth by creating demand for goods and services from defense contractors and related industries.

2. America limited markets for its exports: This option does not accurately describe how the Cold War contributed to economic growth in the United States. In fact, during the Cold War, the U.S. actively sought to expand its markets for exports to counter the influence of communist countries.

3. The Soviet Union traded more with the United States: While there may have been some limited trade between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, it was not a significant factor contributing to economic growth in the United States.

4. European countries failed to recover from World War II: While European countries did face significant challenges in recovering from World War II, their struggles did not directly contribute to economic growth in the United States during the Cold War period.

Based on this analysis, the Cold War contributed to economic growth in the United States primarily because American defense spending remained high, stimulating demand for goods and services and driving economic activity.

It was the first civil rights legislation enacted by Congress in the United States since Reconstruction. It led to a 24 hour, 18 minute filibuster from South Carolina Senator Strom Thurmond. It empowered federal officials to prosecute individuals that conspired to deny another citizen's right to vote. It created a six-member U.S. Civil Rights Commission charged with investigating allegations of voter infringement. Which Civil Rights era legislation are these facts describing?

• Executive Order 9981

• The Southern Manifesto

• The Civil Rights Act of 1957

• Brown v. the Board of Education, Topeka KS

Answer explanation

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The Civil Rights Act of 1957: This legislation is the correct answer. It was indeed the first civil rights legislation enacted by Congress in the United States since Reconstruction. It faced significant opposition, notably from Southern segregationist senators like Strom Thurmond, who famously conducted a 24-hour, 18-minute filibuster against it. The Civil Rights Act of 1957 empowered federal officials to prosecute individuals who conspired to deny another citizen's right to vote. Additionally, it created a six-member U.S. Civil Rights Commission charged with investigating allegations of voter infringement.

Executive Order 9981: This executive order, issued by President Truman in 1948, desegregated the armed forces of the United States. While it was a significant step toward civil rights, it does not match the description provided in the question.

The Southern Manifesto: The Southern Manifesto was a document issued in 1956 by Southern members of Congress in opposition to racial integration in public places. It does not refer to civil rights legislation enacted by Congress.

Brown v. the Board of Education, Topeka KS: This landmark Supreme Court case in 1954 declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. While it was a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, it does not match the description provided in the question.

Based on this analysis, the correct answer is The Civil Rights Act of 1957.

President Eisenhower's 1957 decision to send troops into Little Rock, Arkansas, was in response to

• a violent strike of railroad workers.

• student protests against the war in Korea.

• the bombing of an African-American church in Little Rock.

• local authorities' refusal to integrate Central High School.

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) was created in 1957 with the PRIMARY purpose of

• coordinating non-violent protests to segregation and discrimination.

• defeating the Democratic Party in the Presidential election of 1960.

• converting people in the American south to Christianity.

• urging people to turn in suspected communists.

Answer explanation

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Coordinating non-violent protests to segregation and discrimination: This option is the correct answer. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) was indeed created in 1957 with the primary purpose of coordinating non-violent protests against segregation and discrimination in the American South. Led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other prominent civil rights leaders, the SCLC played a pivotal role in organizing and leading peaceful demonstrations, marches, and boycotts to challenge racial injustice and advocate for civil rights reforms.

Defeating the Democratic Party in the Presidential election of 1960: This option does not accurately describe the primary purpose of the SCLC. While the SCLC was involved in civil rights activism during the 1960 presidential election, its primary focus was on advocating for racial equality, not partisan political activities.

Converting people in the American South to Christianity: While the SCLC was founded by predominantly Christian leaders and operated within the framework of Christian principles, its primary purpose was not focused on religious conversion. Rather, it was dedicated to promoting social justice and civil rights.

Urging people to turn in suspected communists: This option is unrelated to the primary purpose of the SCLC. The organization's mission centered on combating racial segregation and discrimination, not addressing concerns related to communism.

Based on this analysis, the correct answer is Coordinating non-violent protests to segregation and discrimination.

Which statement BEST describes the role of religion in the Civil Rights Movement?

• All Christians were against segregation and discrimination.

• Religious leaders often organized and led anti-discrimination protests.

• Very few religious leaders became involved in political activities during that era.

• Protesters avoided religious symbolism and discussion because of the First Amendment.

Answer explanation

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Religious leaders often organized and led anti-discrimination protests: This statement is the BEST description of the role of religion in the Civil Rights Movement. Many religious leaders, including prominent figures like Martin Luther King Jr., played crucial roles in organizing and leading anti-discrimination protests. They provided moral guidance, spiritual support, and mobilized their congregations to participate in civil rights activities, such as marches, boycotts, and sit-ins.

All Christians were against segregation and discrimination: This statement is overly generalized and does not accurately reflect the diversity of opinions within Christian communities during the Civil Rights Movement. While many Christians did support the goals of desegregation and equality, there were also individuals and groups who opposed or were indifferent to these efforts.

Very few religious leaders became involved in political activities during that era: This statement is inaccurate. In reality, many religious leaders actively engaged in political activities during the Civil Rights Movement, advocating for legislative change, participating in lobbying efforts, and endorsing specific candidates who supported civil rights reforms.

Protesters avoided religious symbolism and discussion because of the First Amendment: This statement is incorrect. Religious symbolism and discussion were integral to many aspects of the Civil Rights Movement. Participants often drew upon religious teachings and imagery to frame their struggle for justice and equality, and many protests and demonstrations included prayers, hymns, and other religious expressions.

Based on this analysis, the statement that BEST describes the role of religion in the Civil Rights Movement is Religious leaders often organized and led anti-discrimination protests.