The Civil Rights Movement began in 1955 with Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her bus seat to a white man, sparking the Montgomery bus boycott led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Major civil rights issues included school desegregation through Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 and the integration of Little Rock Central High School in 1957 which faced violent resistance. Sit-ins organized by figures like Jesse Jackson protested segregation in public places. Non-violent protests continued through groups like the Freedom Riders but faced attacks. James Meredith's enrollment at the University of Mississippi in 1962 required federal protection. Violence against peaceful protesters in Birmingham in 1963 helped lead to the Civil Rights Act.

1. Chapter 18 Civil Rights Movement

3. Chapter 18 Civil Rights MovementThe BeginningsThe Civil Rights Movement really began on December 1st 1955in Montgomery Alabama.Rosa Parks would not give up her bus seat to a white man and thus started the Montgomery bus boycott.A local pastor in Montgomery namedDr. Martin Luther King Jr. was selected to lead this bus boycott.

6. MLK meeting with advisors to determine a plan for the boycott

10. MLK at church during the bus boycott

11. Civil Rights IssuesIn Topeka Kansas, Linda Brownsued to attend the white school. Her case went to the Supreme Court.In May of 1954 Brown v. Boardof Education was heard.Decision: “separate but equal is not equal” and officially overturned Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)The Supreme Court ruled in favor of her. This allowed blacks and whites to attend school together.The first integrated school was Central High School in Little Rock Arkansas in 1957.

12. Little Rock 9When Brown v. Board of Education ruled that segregation was unconstitutional, this would very slowly start the de-segregation of schools in America.When Central High School was integrated, this started many race riots across the country.Army and National Guard troops had to be called to maintain peace and order.Nine black students enrolled and attended classes that fall.

18. Sit-insIf a black person was refused service somewhere, they would organize a “sit-in”.They would sit there until they were served. Sit-ins were held at restaurants, gas stations, barber shops, and hotels.One of the most famous organizers of “sit ins” was Jesse Jackson.The first “sit-in” was at the Woolworth’s Department Store in Greensboro N.C.

19. Greensboro Four (1960)

20. Greensboro Four

22. Non-violence ResistanceMLK had read the non-violent words of Gandhi and Henry David ThoreauProtesters were not allowed to use violence….if you are hit you simply take itNice dress to set them apart from those committing the abuses

23. Freedom RidersThese were college students (both black and white) who went into the south to protest segregated bus terminals.When the Freedom Riders stopped in Alabama, they were harassed and beat.Birmingham police chief Bull Conner ordered police dogs and KKK members to attack the riders.

30. James MeredithSlide 6 of 7He was a veteran of the U.S. military.He wanted to enroll to take classes at the University of Mississippi.He was not allowed admission due to his race.President Kennedy sent 500 federal marshals to escort him to class each day.Protestors threw rocks at the marshals.JFK then sent in the army to protect him.James Meredith eventually graduated.

31. Violence in BirminghamSlide 7 of 7Dr. King had organized a peaceful protest in Birmingham in the spring of 1963.Bull Conner ordered police dogs to once again attack the protestors.Conner also ordered that high powered water hoses be used to the protestors.This brutality will eventually lead to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.