Discrimination, Segregation, and the Origins of the Civil Rights Movement
Maya Hall
9 min read
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Study Guide Overview
This study guide covers the road to desegregation, focusing on systemic racism, the Civil Rights Movement, and the impact of Brown v. Board of Education. It examines the overturning of "separate but equal," the doll test's influence, and responses to school integration including de facto segregation and student integration attempts (e.g., Little Rock Nine). Key documents and images related to the Brown v. Board decision are also analyzed. Finally, the guide provides practice questions and exam tips.
#AP African American Studies: The Road to Desegregation - Your Ultimate Review Guide 🚀
Hey! Let's get you prepped and confident for your AP exam. This guide is designed to be your go-to resource, especially the night before the test. We'll break down the key concepts, make connections, and get you ready to ace it! Let's dive in!
#1. The Context: Enduring Segregation in the Mid-20th Century
#Discrimination in Daily Life
- Systemic Racism: African Americans faced relentless discrimination and segregation in all aspects of life. Think about it: education, housing, transportation, and even voting were all affected. This wasn't just in the South; it was happening across the nation.
- Civil Rights Movement: The need to eliminate segregation and ensure federal protection of rights led to the rise of the Civil Rights Movement. This was a push to make the promises of the Reconstruction Amendments and the Civil Rights Act of 1875 a reality.
- Reconstruction Amendments: These amendments aimed to grant citizenship rights and equal protection. But, let's be real, they weren't fully enforced, leading to ongoing struggles. 💡
- Reality Check: Despite legal protections, systemic racism was a daily experience for African Americans. This is a key point to understand the urgency and necessity of the Civil Rights Movement.
The Civil Rights Movement was a direct response to the failure of Reconstruction-era laws to protect African Americans from systemic racism.
#2. The Turning Point: Brown v. Board of Education
#Overturning "Separate but Equal"
- Landmark Decision: The Supreme Court's 1954 decision in Brown v. Board of Education ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. This was HUGE!
- 14th Amendment: The Court determined that state-sanctioned school segregation violated the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Remember, the 14th Amendment is all about equal protection under the law.
- Plessy v. Ferguson Overturned: Brown v. Board overturned the "separate but equal" doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896). No more separate but equal; it was time for equality. ⚖️
- Turning Point: This decision was a major turning point in the fight against racial segregation. It paved the way for further desegregation efforts.
#The Impact of the Doll Test
- Clark's Study: Psychologists Mamie and Kenneth Clark's "doll test" study from the 1940s was crucial to the Brown v. Board decision. This study showed the psychological damage of segregation on children.
- The Test: African American children were presented with dolls of different skin colors. They were asked to identify which dolls were "nice" or "bad."
- Results: The children often associated negative characteristics with the darker-skinned dolls. This showed the psychological impact of segregation on self-esteem. 💔
- Court Evidence:...
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