The Development of Changing Attitudes towards Civil Rights (1890-1945)

The Development of Changing Attitudes towards Civil Rights (1890-1945)

The Plessy v. Ferguson Case (1896)

  • The doctrine of ‘Separate but Equal’ came into existence, affirming the legality of racial segregation.
  • African Americans were allowed access to the same facilities and services as Whites, but the separation between the races was maintained.

The Role of the NAACP

  • Established in 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was major in combating racial discrimination and advocating for equal rights.
  • Through litigation, lobbying and publicity, the NAACP played a significant role in changing attitudes towards civil rights.

World War I Impact (1914-1918)

  • The Great War created labour shortages leading to the Great Migration, with over 400,000 African Americans moving North for industrial jobs.
  • The African American soldiers fighting for ‘freedom’ overseas grew disillusioned at the lack of rights at home, thus fueling a new sense of African American nationalism.

Harlem Renaissance (1920s)

  • A cultural, social, and artistic explosion in Harlem, aptly named the Harlem Renaissance, altered White perceptions of the African American community.
  • Major players like W.E.B. Du Bois and Marcus Garvey illuminated the plight of African Americans, influencing attitudes on a national and international scale.

Impact of the Great Depression (1929-1942)

  • The dismissal of Black workers in favour of Whites, and discriminatory New Deal policies, highlighted the ongoing economic discrimination towards African Americans.
  • However, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt’s support for civil rights and involvement with the National Youth Administration helped change attitudes within the White House.

World War II Impact (1939-1945)

  • The war amplified African Americans’ demand for a Double V Campaign – victory against fascism abroad and racism at home.
  • The Fair Employment Act (1941) was passed after A. Philip Randolph threatened a ‘March on Washington’, demonstrating a shift in government attitude.
  • The war efforts and the rhetoric of freedom further highlighted contradictions in American society and ignited civil rights movements in the ensuing years.

Formation of CORE (1942)

  • The creation of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) signified an important milestone in the mobilization of mass protests against racial discrimination.