African-American achievements during the peak civil rights era

Civil rights movement is considered one of the most complex and tumultuous times in this nation's history. Though the civil rights movement spanned many years, peak activity and highlights of the movement are most often credited with the time period up until 1965. Prior to this time, minorities living in the United States faced segregation and discrimination. The movement against 'colored' folk in the United States was grounded in years of unequal treatment, slavery and corruption which led to segregation and savagery.

For many years in the United States a separate 'class system' of sorts existed in which minorities and women alike were considered to some extent second class citizens. In fact, as late as the 1940s in the United States more than three fourths of African-American's still lived in rural and economically marginal areas of the south, living in more poverty stricken areas and under a lower standard of living than most whites.

African-Americans living in the United States were not afforded the same luxuries as white people were, and were also looked down upon as less deserving, intelligent and worthy of the same recognition and rights that white citizens were. All of this changed however, during the era of the civil rights movement, when black leaders emerged and began fighting for equal rights, representation and opportunity under the law.

The aim of this paper will be a discussion of the civil rights movement particularly with regard to achievements made by African-Americans during what is considered the 'peak' of the civil rights era. Among the many aspects of the civil rights movement to be touched upon will include the origins, highlights of a few significant leaders of the civil rights movement. The movement itself is too far reaching to cover in great detail; however every emphasis will be made to provide adequate reference to critical aspects of this momentous period in American history.

Many consider the time between 1955-1965 to be the peak of the civil rights movement, when many acts were passed including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These acts provided basic right for all Americans including the right to vote regardless of one's race. Thus much of the information presented is discussed with reference to this ten-year time period, though it is important to remember that the fight for liberty existed for many years before and after this particular span of time.

Origins of the Civil Rights Movement

It is hard to pinpoint an exact start to the civil rights movement. The exact origins of the movement might vary depending on who one consults with regarding the civil rights campaigns of the early 50s and 60s. There are many that credit Martin Luther King with initiating the climactic events of the civil rights movement. Certainly Kings March on the state capitol building in Alabama in March of 1965 was a momentous occasion, demonstrating the desire for equal opportunity and a unified front among the black population in this country.

Other than Martin Luther's works, the Montgomery bus boycott and Rosa Parks are credited with beginning of the true civil rights campaign, as these events are a hallmark of the civil right movement, where people started standing up for their rights and fighting to end segregation.

One might simply conclude that the civil rights movement began in earnest when citizens and leaders began standing up for the civil rights and liberties that were guaranteed them under the constitution of the United States. Though some early action during the 1940s is evident, for the most part the civil rights movement did not start up in earnest until the 1950s and 60s. The struggle for civil rights would end up being long but worthwhile in the hearts and minds of those dedicated to freedom and liberty for all.

Highlights of the Civil Rights Movement

There were many highlights of the civil rights movement including the passage of the two acts mentioned above. Among the more common events of note included marches, boycotts and freedom rides and rallies to solicit media attention regarding the struggle for racial equality. Some other significant events that worthy of mention include: military de-segregation, appointment of Thurgood Marshall to the Supreme Court, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Brown Decision and the March on Washington.

During the early 1900s most African-Americans lived in below average housing districts in the South. Those that had migrated north did eventually find more political, social and economic opportunities than their southern counterparts, but still did not realize the same equal opportunities that white men did in this country. Many blacks were "disproportionately relegated to low-skilled and poorly paying jobs."

Segregation often prevailed not only in common day-to-day events but even within residential neighborhoods where blacks were often confined to poverty stricken neighborhoods with little opportunity to move up the economic or social ladder of life.

Military Desegregation

Military desegregation was one of the initial successes of the civil rights movement. In 1948 President Truman issued two executive orders one of which provided equal treatment and opportunity for members of the armed forces. The passage of the armed forces order meant that people of any race, religion, color or national origin could now serve equally within the armed forces and represent the country they lived in. Truman also issued an order that required fair employment practices among the civilian agencies of the federal government.

Brown Decision

Soon after this monumental achievement the NAACP found itself working on among other things school desegregation case in Charleston South Carolina which became known as the Brown decision. The case appeared before the U.S. Supreme Court, upon which Thurgood Marshall, the first black man appointed to the Supreme Court, was serving. The court decided in favor of Brown, marking a victory for the civil rights movement because it allowed de-segregation in a school.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

There were many instances where African-Americans made headway and headlines, one of which was during the Montgomery Bus Boycott. During this monumental occasion African-Americans pooled together to boycott public buses, and formed an organization that supervised the boycott called the Montgomery Improvement Association. The boycott was successful because it eventually led the Supreme Court to ban segregated seating on busses in 1956.

Martin Luther and Other Leaders

There are several individuals credited with truly helping the civil rights movement succeed. Among the earliest noted and most well-known figures of the civil rights movement was Martin Luther King, Jr.. Martin Luther is credited with furthering the goals of the early civil rights movement and leading the nonviolent efforts of the civil rights movement during its critical years.

He is most well-known for his "I have a dream" speech in 1963 which inspired many to take on the fight for justice and equality under the law.

Rosa Parks was well-known for refusing to sit in the Negro section on a bus in Montgomery Alabama in 1995, and was arrested. She is thought to have inspired the Montgomery bus boycott.

Martin Luther was assassinated in 1968, which led to rioting and aggression among many black communities in cities and rural areas. Martin Luther had been considered by most to be the foremost leader in the non-violent quest for civil rights that existed in this country. He is also credited with coming together with leaders including Charles Steele and Fred Shuttlesworth in the early years of the civil rights movement to form the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which became a leading force in organizing the civil rights movement based on the principles of nonviolence and civil disobedience.

In the years that followed his death, there was a move among other civil rights leaders to achieve more political power in the government and more representation. Affirmative action for past discrimination became a big issue among civil rights activists.

Malcolm X surfaced as a Black Nationalist and more radical leader during the civil rights movement as well. Founder of the Organization of Afro American Unity, he too was assassinated in 1965.

Major Achievements

The Civil Rights Movement experienced many ups and downs during the course of its lifetime. The movement created an expanding Black middle class in the United States and representation among governing authorities by minority leaders. The idea of 'separate but equal' no longer resounded, and was instead replaced by the idea that everyone deserved fair and equal representation and benefits.

The March on Washington is often considered the single most crowning achievement of the civil rights movement and the single largest protest to take place in the capital since its creation; it virtually "paved the way for a series of mass demonstrations" that furthered the movement and set the stage for the eventual passage of the civil rights act of 1964, which is considered the most important civil rights legislation passed "since the Reconstruction."

Other campaigns that augmented the civil rights movement included the Birmingham campaign and the efforts of individuals who dedicated their life to the civil rights era. Was their resistance to the civil rights movement? Absolutely. The North's reaction to the movement is considered more ambiguous than the reaction in the south; many polled in the white felt that southern white supremacist operating in the south were not necessarily justified in their actions. However following the passage of certain rights including the voting rights act many white Northerners faced integration particularly in schools and within other urban areas; at this point more resistance developed such as that seen in the south.

There were many southern leaders that attempted to preserve their way of life, while others were more progressive and open to civil rights legislation and changes.

The civil rights movement merely demanded what this country promised when it was established, namely democracy, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all.

Many have claimed that it was difficult to define the boundaries of the civil rights movement as it touched so many lives in so many different ways. The civil rights leaders and organizations that surfaced during this time were often seen in the greater context of the fight for freedom and liberty, however there is a large body of evidence that the civil rights movement accomplished more than merely eliminating racial barriers in this country. Rather the civil rights movement transformed the consciousness of individuals living in this country and helped people to truly understand the principles of democracy and freedom.

Conclusions

The civil rights movement is credited with changing the face of this great nation. Prior to the civil rights movement racial segregation and discrimination were blatant facts of life for many people living in the United States. It wasn't until the mid 1950s that the movement for civil liberties and freedom began in earnest in this country. The civil rights movement is the changing point during which the governing body of this nation was forced to recognize and uphold the constitutional rights guaranteed to all citizens.

During this time many strong leaders emerged that fought adamantly for the rights guaranteed all citizens under the constitution of the United States. There are many highlights of the civil rights movements, and many leaders that still resonate in the hearts of many, including Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and Malcolm X the civil rights movement stands out as a turning point in American history where an underserved and underprivileged group of citizens decided to take a stand for their rights under the law. Though much of the civil rights campaign was non-violent in nature, particularly the protests led by Martin Luther King Jr., the civil rights movement also spurred some aggression, discontent and violence. However, despite this the end result of the campaign was the movement in this nation toward equality and peace for all.

One thing is certain, the nation that stands today is much better for the achievements and successes of all the individuals who fought for liberty and justice during the civil rights movement. This era will be remembered as one that changed the social landscape of this nation permanently, and afforded all people equal opportunity without regard to race, gender, color or national origin.