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Major Civil Rights Organizations

Maya Hall

Maya Hall

8 min read

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Study Guide Overview

This AP African American Studies study guide covers the Civil Rights Movement, focusing on the "Big Four" organizations (NAACP, SCLC, CORE, SNCC), their nonviolent protest strategies, and key events like the Birmingham Children's Crusade, March on Washington, and Mississippi Freedom Summer. It also examines the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965, along with required source analysis of texts by MLK Jr. and John Lewis. Finally, it provides exam tips and strategies for success.

AP African American Studies: The Civil Rights Movement - Night Before Review 🚀

Hey! Let's get you prepped for the AP Exam. This guide is designed to be your go-to resource for a quick, high-impact review. We'll break down the key concepts, make connections, and get you feeling confident. Let’s do this!

1. The Foundation: Unity and Nonviolent Resistance

1.1. Unity Through Common Goals

  • The "Big Four" Civil Rights Organizations:
Memory Aid

Remember Nice Students Can Cook: NAACP, SCLC, CORE, SNCC

* **NAACP** (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People): Focused on legal strategies and litigation. * **SCLC** (Southern Christian Leadership Conference): Led by MLK Jr., emphasized nonviolent protest and civil disobedience. * **CORE** (Congress of Racial Equality): Pioneered sit-ins and freedom rides. * **SNCC** (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee): Organized grassroots activism and voter registration. *
Key Concept

These groups, despite different approaches, united under the common goal of ending racial discrimination and securing equal rights for Black Americans.

* They collaborated on major initiatives like the **March on Washington**, showcasing a united front.

1.2. Nonviolent Protest Strategies

  • Civil Disobedience: Marches, sit-ins, economic boycotts, and using mass media to raise awareness.
Quick Fact

Nonviolent protests often faced violent backlash, yet this commitment to peace helped gain public sympathy.

* **Grassroots Organizing**: Empowered local communities and developed new leaders like **Fannie Lou Hamer**.
Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions:

  1. Which of the following best describes the primary goal of the "Big Four" civil rights organizations? (A) To promote Black nationalism and separatism (B) To achieve racial equality and end discrimination (C) To advocate for armed self-defense (D) To establish separate Black communities

  2. Which tactic was most associated with the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE)? (A) Legal challenges in court (B) Sit-ins and Freedom Rides (C) Mass marches and demonstrations (D) Voter registration drives

2. Mobilization and Key Events

2.1. Birmingham Children's Crusade

  • In 1963, children and teenagers marched to protest segregation in Birmingham, Alabama.
Quick Fact

Police responses with dogs and fire hoses were televised, shocking the nation and turning pu...

Question 1 of 12

Which of the following organizations primarily focused on legal strategies and litigation? ⚖️

SCLC

CORE

NAACP

SNCC