-
Period: to
Course Time Period
-
Detroit Race Riots of 1943
In the midst of WWII, migrations of BAs into Detroit had risen significantly and employment into Detroit's large defense armandments factories were high. However, high wages and little availible housing made racial tensions high. White supremacist groups such as Klu Klux Klan and the Black Legion were predominant. During the riot, where 25 BAs and 9 WAs were killed and $2mil worth of damage was inflicted, the city was put under martial law. In the same year, 9 BAs were killed in New York. -
Yalta Conference
The Yalta Conference was attended by Roosevelt (USA), Churchill (UK) and Stalin (USSR), the three leaders of the allies and post-war concession were discussed. Due to Roosevelt's percieved unwillingness to open a second front in Europe with US troops, Stalin was incredibly distrustful of the USA. In April 1945, Roosevelt died followed by Hitler who commited suicide two days later. A post-war occcuption by USSR to ensure free elections in the countries USSR occupied. -
Period: to
Truman's Presidency
-
Communism and WWII
SInce the end of WWI, America took a policy of isolationism, supported by both their geographical location and the public, who had been exhausted both financially and emotionally by WWI. Organisations such as the America First Committee opposed organizations giving aid to GB and FR. Roosevelt personally supported GB and FR against facism but wanted to stay in power. Pearl Harbour attack in 1941 allowed Roosevelt to convince the Congress to declare war on the Axis. USSR is now an ally of USA. -
Black Americans in WW2
Since the end of WWI, BAs migrated in masses to the North - there were higher wages and more opportunity for training. When WW2 began, there were about 125,000 BAs overseas. However, segregation continued in forces where menial and more dangerous taks were given and BAs were not allowed in the Air Force. Overseas, BAs were given more freedom and less discrimination. 1941, Roosevelt issued an order in which discrimination at workplace ended and 2mil BAs were in the industry by the end of the war. -
The Iron Curtain Speech
“An iron curtain has descended across the continent” Churchill warned America, who had been economically prosperous and unaware of the growing sphere of influence the Communist Soviets had on post-war Europe. Ideologically, Communism to America’s Capitalism threatened American citizen’s wealth and democracy, but moreover, threatened another war as the speech insinuated the Soviet Union’s intention to dominate the world. Immediately, media began to print caricutures and propaganda, as did USSR. -
Truman Doctrine
A policy of containment was introduced as Stalin continued to station USSR soldiers in Eastern EUcountries. The policy allowed Truman to send financial aid to the gvt. of Greece and Turkey who was fighting against communism. Their geographical location would lead USSR into oil-rich Middle-east.The Marshall Plan similarily gave $14bil in aid to rebuild EU's economy and prevent communism. -
The Hollywood Ten
Following a period of intense interrogation by the House UnAmericans Activities Committee HUAC where Hollywood actors and actress were investigated on their communist ties. The Hollywood 10 were a group of directors and writers who pled the Fifth Amendment (right not to incriminate yourself) and refused to answer to prevent freedom of speech and expression from being destroyed. They were all jailed for a year and sacked, leading to high profile protests by Hollywood stars. -
Executive Order 9981: Desegregation in Army Ends
Following the Executive Order 8802, which stopped discrimination in industrial and government employment, Executive Order 9981 ended the practice of racial segregation in armed forces. The order also established a committee to investigate and make recommendations to the civilian leadership of the military to implement the policy. -
Alger Hiss Case
Whittaker Chambers denounced Hiss as a member of an underground Communist club to Nixon (later to become a President), a member of HUAC. Hiss was a Supreme Court Judge and was at Yalta with Roosevelt and in 1948, was working for a peace organisation. Chambers had admitted to being a Communist before but nevertheless, Hiss was interrogated and discredited by Nixon. Chambers then revelared microfilm, known as "Pumpkin Papers" and Hiss was accused of espoinage and was jailed for 3 years. -
The People's Republic of China is formed
In 1949, despite financial aid, troops and equipment supplied to the democratic Guomindang, the Communist Red Army won the Chinese Civil War and set up a Communist government. Though the USA recognised Taiwan as the true government of China until 1979. -
First USSR Atomic Bomb Testing Successful
Following the succesful dropping of the two atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, often seen as the begining of the cold war, Stalin invested heavily in developing atomic bombs too. The US had until 1949, held complete monopoly over the nuclear bomb and predicted 10 years before USSR could develop its own atomic bomb. The discovery of a successful test is a trigger point to the Rosenburg Case. -
Wheeling Speech by McCarthy
Wisconsin Republican Joseph R. McCarthy first won election to the Senate in 1946 during a campaign marked by much anticommunist Red-baiting. He made this speech in 1950, called the Enemies from Within Speech -
Period: to
McCarthyism Era
The McCarthyism Era was marked by the emergence of Senator Joe in a time of a heightened fear of communism following the successful detonation of an atomic bomb by the Soviets. Senator MC produced a list, alleging the names of 205 Communist spies in the civil service and in elite positions. The impact of McCarthyism was that a shroud of fear and shame remained, as did the labelling of anyone who sought to achieve rights as a "commie". McCarthy died of hepatitis in May 1957, unpopular and ignored -
Period: to
Korean War
-
US Troops enter Korea on behalf of UN Troops
-
Rosenberg Case
Julius and his wife, Ethel Rosenberg was arrested in the same month the successful USSR atomic bomb testing was discovered. Accused of selling atomic secrets to the USSR, the "net" of espionage included Gold and Greenglass, the latter who was a witness against the Rosenbergs. The two Rosenburg had no ties with Communist clubs by 1949 and despite appeals to repeal the death sentence, both were executed in June 1953 on the same day. -
The McCarren Internal Security Act
Against the attempts of President Truman's to veto it, the Act was passed at the height of fear of communism. It forced the Communist Part to register with the justice department and its member could be carefully monitered. In the event of a war, suspected communist could be heldin detention camps. A anti-subversive committee was set up. -
Chinese Troops enters war as NK's Ally
-
Period: to
Eisenhower's Presidency
-
Stalin Dies
-
McCarthy Unsucessfully Challenges the US Military
The media coverage of the Army-McCarthy trial brought about the end of McCarthy's popularity and influence. In line with increasingly high-profile accusations, McCarthy accused the US Army of lax security in which the army retaliated with preferential treatement of a former McCarthy aid. The televised 3-month case revealed McCarthy's lack of evidence and bullying behaviour. McCarthy then accused a jr attorney of Welch's, the lawyer of the Army which resulted in "Have you no sense of decency?" -
Brown v Topeka
Since the abolishment of slavery in 1865, state laws concerning segregation of BAs and WAs worked under the doctrine of "seperate but equal". The parents of Linda Brown, who had to travel 1 mile to a segregated school instead of the WAs school 7 blocks away challenged the Supreme Court with NAACP's support. A unaminous decision declared that "seperate educational facilities are inherently unequal". Further ruling ordered schools to be intergrated, meeting strong resistance in the Deep South. -
The Fall of McCarthy from Political Power
Daily newspaper summaries were frequently unfavorable toward McCarthy, while television audiences saw the junior Senator from Wisconsin as foolhardy, dishonest and intimidating. On December 2, 1954, the Senate voted 67–22 to censure McCarthy, effectively eradicating his influence, though not expelling him from office. Only 1 democract, J.F Kennedy voted not to censure McCarthy -
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Sparked by Parks' arrest, the non-violent movement challenged the segregation on buses. By the 5th, 90% of BAs stayed off buses in Montgomery. The Montgomery Improvement Association then elected Martin King as president. The role of BA ministers met with city officials to no avail and created carpools. During this time, King and Nixon's houses were bombed. In federal and Supreme court, segregated buses were declared unconstitutional. The success of a non-violent doctrine increased WAs support. -
Civil Rights Act of 1957
Shocked by the Little Rock incident, Eisenhower, a man forced more by publicity rather than morals, finally passed a Civil Rights Act 82 years after the consitution. The bill ensured BAs could exercise their right to vote and allow BAs to be part of the jury. The bill faced strong opposition and weakening by Southern democrats and upon it's "landmark" (SNCC) passing, little implementation of the Act was ensured by the State, only 3% more BAs were registered from 20% previously. -
Little Rock Nine, Arkansas
Following court ruling, integration in Arkansas began with the enrollment of 9 BAs. This was met with strong hatred and protest by pro-seg. crowds who gathered in front of the school. Faubus, the gov, ordered the National Guard to block the entrance to "preserve the peace". After making international headlines, President Eisenhower took a landmark decision to send troops to escort the 9. Faubus then closed down schools to prevent segregation. This was used as a pretext to attack the BA community -
Greensboro Sit-ins
Four BA university were refused service at a segregated WA-only counter at the Greensboro branch of Woolworth. By the next day, 27 students joined them at the counter. The loss of revenue from the branch of Woolsworth resulted in an integrated counter. The success of this non-violent way of protesting garnered them attention and sympathy. "Sit-ins" and variation of it spread throughout states. By 1961, 70000 students were involved and 2000 protesters were arrested. -
Period: to
Kennedy's Presidency
-
Freedom Riders
Organised by CORE, the aim was to send 13 volunteers to ride buses to experience the extent of BA civil rights practiced from Washington to Oklahoma. In Montgomery and Birmingham (Alambama), incidences of firebombing and mob attacks were signifcant with the KKK chapter working with the police. National attention was given when US Attorney R. Kennedy offered gvt. escort. The second attempt resulted headlines of WA Zweg. Despite so, riders were immediately arrested upon using facilities at depot. -
Albany Movement
The Albany Movement was a non-violent attempt to force the Georgian city to concede to deseg.facilities, ie bus centres. It acheived limited success due to the strategies of the cheif police, who conducted mass arrest and distrubuted prisoners accross the South-west and prevented "martyrs" of the cause. Though the movement was intially started by SNCC, MLK was invited & jailed for a brief period. MLK left as the city officials promised to investigate seg, though turned back (bus centres deseg.) -
Voters' Education Program
The program was one of the first and most prominent campaigns hosted in partnership with all 5 civil groups, SNCC, NAACP, SCLC, CORE & the National Urban League to advance BAs ability to exercise their right to vote. The 1961 events prompted USAG R. Kennedy to discuss the future of CRs. MLK believed the exemption from tax to firms who donated would encourage support to the CR. Though there was success (500vts in 2wks), it was obvious no less than fed. intervention would allow BAs equal votes. -
Birmingham Campaign
Birmingham was facing slumping involvment by BAs who believed conditions in the KKK stronghold city would improve after the imminent retirement of "Bull" Connors , police sheriff. The Campaign found publicity after King was arrested, famously then publishing his "Letters from B Jail". 1300 children were arrested. Imges of children facing down water hoses and dogs set by Connors made headlines and the attention King sought for caused sentors to press for the CR Bill amid international attention. -
Washington March
To commence the 1863 freeding of slaves, the march is credited for the CR Act (1964) and the Voting Rights Act (1965) and is famed for King's 'I Have A Dream' speech. Organisers estimated less than half of the 250000 marchers (60000WAs) that appeared. The March's original purpose for "Jobs and Freedom" then encompassed all CRs the BAs felt they were denied of. Following the televised march, King and other leaders met Kennedy to speak of future legislations and about Kennedy's CR Bill. -
Period: to
Johnson's Presidency
-
Freedom Summer (Events)
The death of J Kennedy delayed the CR Bill and BA leaders were anxious to register as many BAs in Mississppi for the upcoming election as possible. Since the 1800s, BAs were disenfrachised by poll taxes and literacy tests subjective to WA registrars. 1000 WA and BA volunteers taught at 'Freedom Schools' and were viciously targetted by the closed community and KKK chapters. At least 80 were beaten but headlines were made after 3 CRs (2 WAs) workers were found murdered by police and KKK. -
Freedom Summer (Impacts)
The attention given to the Mississippi electorate campaign after the murder of 2 WAs embittered BAs who believed WA dominance over the campaign only reflected their "superiority". Despite this, media coverage once again reported deep-rooted racism in the South and racist beatings internationally during the Cold War. 12,000 new BA voters were registered and the project is accredited to the passing of Voting Rights Act. Importantly, for the first time, 3 KKK were convicted and jailed for murder. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act was introduced by J.F. Kennedy in 1963 following violent protests. This bill was met with strong opposition from Southern members of the Congress until Kennedy's assasination persuaded them to vote for the bill under President Johnson. The Act banned discrimination in public accommodations, and enabled the U.S. AtG to join in lawsuits against state governments which operated segregation. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission also investigated racial dis. in jobs. -
Selma Campaign (Bloody Sunday)
The Selma to Montgomery March was the accumulation of a series of WA killings of BA (incl. 4 BA children). Despite Governor Wallace's denouncement and the court's restraining injunction, John Lewis of SNCC led the march until Edmund Pettus Bridge, where a wall of state troopers met them with violence. This 'Bloody Sunday' was met with horrified attention by the world and Pre. Johnson. A 2nd march, led by King, turned around. The 3rd march was escorted by 1000 military police and 2000 army troops -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Despite the 15th Amendment allowing BAs to vote, state laws often excercised impossible literacy tests and poll taxes subjected upon WA registrers will and BAs who attempted to vote were often threatened, beaten, evicted and fired. The act banned the use of literacy tests, provided for federal oversight of voter registration in areas where less than 50 percent of the BA population had not registered to vote, and authorized the U.S. AG to investigate the use of poll taxes. -
Kent State University Shooting
When President Nixon extended the war to the neighbouring Cambodia, protests by students reached a peak, with the National Guardsmen often instructed to keep order. Such appearence by the NG only sought to agitate the already fierce students. At Kent State University, 4 students were shot dead and further 28 injured. Immediately, students at 450 colleges striked, and the US government was forced to acknowledge and make amends to its divided country. By 1973, Nixon had begun peace talks with NK.