Desegregation In The 1950's Analysis

Improved Essays
As the 1950’s came to a close Americans did not know what the 1960’s would bring. A large problem in the 1950’s had been the issue of segregation and the rights that the American black population believed should be allotted to them as well. Regardless of this only slow steps were made towards desegregation in the 1950’s. This was largely due to the president at the time that had no intention of doing anything that could potentially cause backlash towards him. Once it was ruled that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional and that desegregation would need to begin the backlash happened anyways. There were many states that not only fought this ruling but outright refused to begin the process of desegregation. As a result the idea of what became the Civil Rights Movement formed. While the beginnings of the Civil Rights Movement were relatively peaceful in the 1960’s things began to change. The more prominent changes of the 1960’s in the motives, assumptions, and leadership of the Civil Rights Movement ultimately caused it to slowly change into a movement that was both radical and violent. The black population of America gained new hope with the election of a new president, John F. …show more content…
Kennedy in the 1960’s. Kennedy and Cohen write that, “Kennedy had campaigned with a strong appeal to black voters” (Kennedy and Cohen, 2013). His promises of the elimination of racial discrimination in housing during his campaign won over much of the black voting population, but once he was in office it seemed as if these promises would not be fulfilled. After dealing with a president who chose to remain neutral on the racial issues of the 1950’s much of the black population in America felt cheated and betrayed. Kennedy’s lack of action on his promises after his election caused the black population to believe that they had to handle the process of desegregation on their own. The beginning of Kennedy’s presidency marked the hope of much of the black population that America would finally make large strides towards desegregation. Once Kennedy was in office however, it seemed as if desegregation once again had been postponed. Kennedy and Cohen state that, “political concerns stayed the president’s hand on civil rights” (Kennedy and Cohen, 2013). Much like Eisenhower, Kennedy was worried about the backlash that would come from taking action but for a different reason. Kennedy had hopes of passing several bills that he needed the help of southern legislators to pass. Nevertheless, once the black population realized that there was a lack of action on Kennedy’s part they tried to take action on behalf of themselves resulting in violent measures by those who did not support segregation. This marked a change in …show more content…
This moment marked a pivotal change in the leadership of the Civil Rights Movement from the black population to the government. Before the government had become involved, one of the most notable leaders of the Civil Rights Movement was Martin Luther King Jr. As the government became more involved in the movement they worked hand in hand with Martin Luther King to do the things that he could not. Kennedy and Cohen write that, “jolted by these vicious confrontations Kennedy delivered a memorable televised speech to the nation” (Kennedy and Cohen, 2013). It was during this speech that he declared his intentions to find a solution for the problem by the use of his governmental

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    John F. Kennedy or commonly referred to as JFK was President of the United States during a crucial time in the United States, the Civil Rights Movement. Kennedy’s Sothern Strategy will provide reason to why he did not want to give his opinion regarding the Civil Rights Movement while he was campaigning in the late 1950s. In truth, Kennedy supported the Civil Rights Movement because he promoted many African Americans to government jobs during his short time as President. Although Kennedy was assassinated before, he could finish his first term; his views on the Civil Rights Movement and desegregation were carried after his death as Lyndon B. Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act of 1965 through Congress in memory of JFK. Southern Strategy was a Republican vote getting strategy throughout the 1960s and early 1970s.…

    • 1117 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Desegregation is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as the “abolishment of racial segregation in schools and other institutions”. The fight to desegregate America was a long drawn out batter, and all efforts towards desegregation were consistently meet with opposition. Whites at the time had several motives for not wanting to desegregate. Then, once desegregation was to be legally enforced it was met with resistance from Whites, as well as reluctance from some African Americans.…

    • 1106 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    John F. Kennedy was too idealistic with his plans and the New Frontier was based on the incorrect assumption that the white population would welcome African Americans with open arms. In fact, during Kennedy’s first two years in office, he ignored the demands of the people to take a strong stand on civil rights legislation. Even after he decided to appease the public, Kennedy reenforced existing laws, rather than create new legislation that could possibly alienate his supporters. Kennedy was too apprehensive with his civil rights platform and usually only addressed racial incidents after they had resulted in violence and threatened his standing. Although he proposed the Civil Rights Bill in February 1963, it failed to address segregation in public institutions and was shot down in Congress without much of a fight from Kennedy.…

    • 2612 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Segregation was very well known during the 1960s. There were civil right protesters everywhere. The struggles for the civil rights went from Birmingham, Alabama to other cities and towns in the south. This was so popular that it caught the eyes of people who watch television so all of America could see. America and the world looked at the video carefully as they saw the people of the south get maltreated, assaulted by dogs, sprayed with heavy pressured water hoses, and other mistreating things.…

    • 201 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    At the meeting, King and the Congress of Racial Equality’s (CORE) McKissick with Carmichael and his associates, Sellers and Wise, awaited the arrival of NAACP’s representative Roy Wilkins and the Urban League’s Whitney Young. Peniel E. Joseph, a prominent researcher of the Civil Rights and Black Power era, described the latter two men as “two of America's most prominent civil rights leaders, they possessed tremendous influence, their range of contacts stretching from business and civic groups all the way to the White House.” As such, they commanded a presence in the room that was promptly challenged by Carmichael and his associates. Wilkins pledged NAACP’s support to the March as long as it would “focus national attention on achieving congressional passage of the Johnson administration’s new civil rights bill.” Carmichael was immediately contentious stating that the March should actually focus on criticism of the bill and a call for its strengthening, and he wanted the inclusion of armed self-defense by having the Deacons for Defense in the March. An interesting analysis of the meeting is presented by David Garrow, a celebrated biographer of King’s life.…

    • 793 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    (8) Many factors sparked the great controversy and conflict of the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s and 1950s. Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 was a pivotal point leading up to the 1960s because it reversed the Plessy v. Ferguson case, deciding that facilities could be “separate but equal.” Thus, integration began in the schooling system with the Little Rock Nine, while many other activists seized the chance to attack the Jim Crow laws. Also, World War II black veterans rallied under the slogan “Double V” day, which praised both the victory in Europe and progress with equality. President Roosevelt allowed the desegregation of defense industries with an executive order, which helped thousands of blacks find jobs and a steady source of income.…

    • 1094 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The 1940s to the 1960s, was a crucial time period in the Civil Rights Movement of America. Segregation happened only if you want it to happen. There were quite a bit of lies that were taught and that are still being taught to students today. Racism was not confined to the deep south, it was spread all through America. The federal government did not always come to the rescue for minorities.…

    • 598 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    This was an effective action that he helped take for the Civil Rights. He also acted in other nonviolent action to make a greater crisis, and to establish a creative tension to constantly negotiate the forces of an issue. This action that Martin Luther King Jr. took helped him gain people’s attention and to stand up for what they believed for the greater good. This is how he used his very strong and effective actions into making the Civil Rights have a stronger effectiveness for the lives of many different African Americans in one’s nation (Schuman,…

    • 678 Words
    • 3 Pages
    • 3 Works Cited
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    The Sit-In Movement

    • 756 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The Sit-In Movement Slavery and inequality was a major issue prior to the 1960’s, but when the sit-in movement started things began to change. This was not a quick and easy change however; many lives were lost in what were supposed to be non-violent movements employed by Martin Luther King Jr. Many African Americans were taking a stand, or shall I say “sit” for their rights. In the other hand many African Americans were avoiding any participation in the movements due to the possible consequences.…

    • 756 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Black Lives Matter Movement is definitely a topic for discussion, as well as all the backlash that comes along with the movement. I feel this movement has its pros and cons, just like any other movement. People started this movement on the unnecessary killings of unarmed black men. African American people were fighting for justice as well as being treated fairly and not being treated unfairly just by the color of their skin. In today’s society there is a lot of violence and killing amongst our black community or at least that’s…

    • 925 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    The early 1960’s was a heated time period of political tension in the United States. The civil rights movement for social justice and equal rights for blacks was being faced with fierce, violent opposition. In June of 1963, this opposition was very apparent when threats of violence and obstruction faced two young African-Americans who were enrolling in the University of Alabama. After the National Guard had to be mobilized to end the Alabama Governor’s blockade of the school, President John F. Kennedy quickly drafted an address to the American people.…

    • 1843 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    “The year was 2081, and everyone was finally equal.” (Kurt Vonnegut). Based on the Constitution, equality is achievable in America’s society. There are several amendments in the Constitution that have changed the possibilities of achieving equality; Amendments 1, 13, 15, 19, 23, and 26. Some people may say that equality isn’t achievable though, because everyone will have their own opinions and you can’t make people think a certain way.…

    • 900 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Demands Of Desegregation

    • 314 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Demands for Integration, and shows his philosophical views on how all races are equal. His speeches were spoken in front of large groups of African-Americans, and this inspired them. King also made the African American community feel equal by discussing and fighting for the necessity of desegregation and the integration of the white and black communities. Desegregation is only a step in the movement, and integration is the ultimate step according to King, which shows the equality of the two races. King stated in the same speech “We must always be aware of the fact that our ultimate goal is integration, and that desegregation is only a first step on the road to the good society.”…

    • 314 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Laws provide rules for what citizens can and cannot do. They play a big part in defining the cultural expectations of a society by establishing the rule of law, limiting corruption, and the handling of civil and criminal infractions. In principal , the laws reflect the needs and values of that society and will work for the best interests of the citizens. But laws can also strongly influence the society that created them.…

    • 120 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Superior Essays

    They had a cause to fight for and now all they needed was someone to lead them into battle. Enter: Martin Luther King Jr. “During the 1950s and the early 1960s, Martin Luther King, Jr., emerged as an important leader of the Civil Rights Movement.” King first appeared on the civil rights scene in 1955, as a key organizer of the Montgomery bus boycotts. The “militant nonviolence” strategy preached by King became a powerful forced in the movement. King believed that if the fight for civil rights was fought peacefully, that it would be looked upon favorably by other races.…

    • 1116 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays