Question

How did the tactics, goals, and/or strategies of the Civil Rights movement shift over the course of the early 1960s? what obstacles did these civil rights organizations confront? How did Martin Luther King Jr and others defend the policy of direct nonviolent confrontation and action?

300 words

Answer 1

Civil rights movement took place in 1950's and 1960's.It was a struggle for social justice and providing equal rights to blacks in the laws of United states.

Before world war 2 the blacks were low paid famers and workers but in 1941 equal employment law was signed and this opened defense jobs for blacks.They grabbed it with both hands and did great heroics in war but when they came back they had to face discrimination.In 1955 a women called Rosa parks had to face discrimination in a bus for occupying a seat .She refused to give the seat and was arrested.This ignited protests and she became mother of civil rights.

This led to formation of Montgomery Improvement Association under Martin Luther king.It protested for many injustices in 1950's and many laws were made due to these laws such as segregated bus seating was abolished in 1956, civil rights act of 1957 etc

In 1961 "13 freedom riders " mounted a bus to see if the law on abolition of segregation of bus terminal was actually implemented but they faced huge protests from the whites and police officers.Even their bus was bombed.Later under the pressure the government send Marshall's to control the situation.These riders continued on other bus and many people came to support them but they were arrested .Issue was taken to supreme court and sentences reversed.Later under pressure from Kennedy administration this bus terminal segregation was totally stopped

In 1963 March on Washington was done which was a peaceful march of 2 lac people for equal employment rights.It was under leadership of Philip,Rustin and King.Highlight of this march was statement by King "I have a dream" All these movements led to civil rights act 1964 which abolished segregation of public utilities,limiting voter literacy test and equal employment opportunity.

In 1965 the movement became violent.Around 600 peaceful protesters participating in Montgomery to Selma march were beaten up by police officers.Activists also wanted to resort to violence but Luther King pushed for non violent protests only and later He got permission for another march under federal protection.

In 1965 coatings rights act was passed which abolished poll tax and voter literacy test requirements.

The protests went on but on April 4 1968 Luther King was assassinated.This led to riots and put additional pressure on administration to pass additional laws for civil rights.The last act enacted was fair housing act in 1968.

Luther king always kept his trust on non violent protests and thorough non violent protests he was able to get many civil rights laws passed.