Omeed Faghih Annotated Timeline Hollenbeck Period 3

ANNOTATED TIMELINE
Plessy Vs. Date/What/Where: The trial of Plessy versus Ferguson took place in April
Ferguson and May of 1896 and was held in the Supreme Court. The trial was
(Dierenfield regarding the constitutionality of racial segregation in public areas.
9) Homer Plessy was riding a train and when asked to move to the colored
(Kousser) section of the train, he refused, thus neglecting the Seperate Car act of
1890. Judge Ferguson stated that under the law he was required to
move under the notion that the cars were supposed to be seperate but
equal. This trial was pushed to the supreme court where the
segregationist law was diligently followed.
Success/Failure: This event was a failure as it solidified the view of
"separate but equal" leading to more segregation. The inability for the
equal conditions in the "separate but equal" statement will lead to the
further maltreatment of African Americans. Plessy, in hopes that his trial
would somehow affect segregationist law, believed that in pushing the
trial would somehow change the law for the better but instead
succeeded in further solidifying the differences.
Organizations: Does Not Apply
Impact on Federal Action: None
President: Grover Cleveland, did not do much
Race Relations: The intensified race segregation led to a more strained
relationship between African American's and Whites.
Brown Vs. Date/What/Where: The trial of Brown Vs. Board of Education took place
Board of in 1954 in front of the Supreme Court Judges. Linda Brown, a third-grade
Education African American student who lived in Topeka Kansas, had to walk 8
(Dierenfield miles through train tracks just to reach her school and back. Brown's
20-28) parents along with other parents argued and fought to outlaw
segregation in educational facilities in order to try and stop their children
from dangerously traveling such large distances when a closer and
better white school was available. The supreme court eventually ruled in
favor of Brown versus Board of Topeka as the supreme court justices
along with new Supreme Court Justice Warren believed that separate
organizations were inherently unequal.
Success/Failure: This event was a complete success as it paved the way
for the civil rights movement as well as making the first step towards
African American rights. This decision showed that previous
segregationist trial's were inherently wrong including that of Plessy Vs.
Ferguson. This breakthrough allowed for other revolutionist groups to
breakthrough and begin enacting the Civil Rights Movement
Organizations: The NAACP supported Thurgood Marshall as he fought for
Brown.
Impact on Federal Action: This showed the need for legislature reform
and action for civil rights change, however little was done at this
moment.
President: President Eisonhower elected Justice Warren into position for
this trial and in doing so swayed the Court towards the pro-civil-rights
 side as Warren was somewhat pro-civil-rights.
Race Relations: Race relations were further strained as whites wanted
the ruling reversed and thus led to angry race riots when schools began
to be integrated.
Little Rock Date/What/Where: After the passing of Brown vs. The Board of
(Dierenfield Education, nine African American students were integrated into a public
29-37) high school in Little Rock, Arkansas, 1957. This was a huge step in the
integration of African Americans, however it did not go according to
plan. The area in which these students were being integrated into were
extremely segregationist, backed by racist police officers and the
Governor Fabus. On the first day of school, students rioted in order to
prevent the African American students from being admitted into the
school, as well as the governor barring the student's entrance.
Eventually the federal government intervened and forced the state
government to follow orders and admit the students.
Success/Failure: This event could be considered as both a success and a
failure in the way that it was a success as it was a sign of integration and
support from the federal government. However, this event was also a
failure because of all of the antagonism that the students attending the
school received, which made the stay at the school almost a negative
memory.
Organizations: The NAACP helped in the organization of this event
Impact on Federal Actions: The federal government showed its support
to the Civil Rights movement and sent aid to the students.
President: President Eisenhower federalized the national guard and sent
military troops to support the students.
Race Relations: The relationship between the African Americans and the
whites definitely worsened through this event as African Americans
began to shun
Montgomery Date/What/Where: In 1956, Rosa Parks, a dedicated NAACP activist,
Bus Boycott refused to follow the segregationist law that dictated that Rosa Parks
(Dierenfield should have given up her seat on the Montgomery Bus for a white man.
41-51) Her refusal led to her arrest and then the a bus boycott, led by
Reverends Martin Luther King Jr. and Ralph Abernathy. In this bus
boycott, all African Americans avoided using any bus transportation
causing the bus system's profit to decrease drastically as 40,000 African
American's refused to ride the buses. Eventually, this event became so
intense that the issue of segregationist law on buses was taken the
Supreme Court on November 1956 where the policy of segregation on
buses were removed, allowing African Americans to sit where they
pleased.
Success/Failure: This event was a huge success as abolished one
segregationist belief as well as demonstrated the connection and the
ties between the African American community. In order for so many
African Americans to walk the distance they usually take by bus showed
their determination and the success of their cooperation.
Organizations: The organizations involved were the NAACP and the SCLC
Impact on Federal Action: The Supreme Court had sided with the African
American views and agreed that the segregationist bus policy was
"unconstitutional"
 President: President Eisenhower, didn't do much on this one
Race Relations: The race relations were obviously strained but not nearly
as much as other events. There were only some violent retaliation.

"Sit-ins" Date/What/Where: In the late 1950's and 1960's, Lunch counters were
(American segregated and refused to serve African Americans. In order to protest
Decades) this, the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee along with the
(Dierenfield Congress of Racial Equality protested this segregation with what are
52-59) called sit-ins. Sit-ins are literally when the members of these
organizations would sit in restaurants expecting to be served. When this
happened, they would be sent to jail or attacked by mobs just because
they were sitting expecting service. This method of protesting spread
across the United States
Success/Failure: This method was a success as it portrayed the white-
antagonism is such a dark light as they would harass African Americans
simply because they were waiting peace fully to get food.
Organizations: This activity was mainly backed by the SNCC, but it was
occasionally supported by CORE.
Impact on Federal Action: No Federal Action was involved but the effects
of this movement could have led to the Civil Rights Act of 1957 and 1960
President: President Eisenhower and Kennedy, not much
Race Relations: Much Racial Tension was created whenever sit-ins took
place because the sole goal of sit-ins was to poorly portray the white
racism. Also demonstrators were commonly injured.
Civil Rights Date/What/Where: This piece of legislature brought about in 1957 and
Act, 1957 1960 was a response to all the integration efforts made by African
and 1960 Americans and all their displays that poorly portrayed the United States,
(Rowan) which is known as the bastion of democracy. President Eisenhower
(Dierenfield although personally somewhat against integration, acted towards
50-51) integration in order to better serve the country on an internal and
international scale. The enactment of this law allowed the Justice
Department to better serve the African Community but only a small
degree. While the legislature was in support, there was not much
enforcement of the legislature.
Success/Failure: This event was a slight success because it brought the
federal government into play even though there was not much
enforcement that could be done to allow this legislature to work.
Organizations: Slightly supported by SCLC and NAACP
Impact on Federal Action: This event was purely federal action towards
the integration of African Americans
President: President Eisenhower, supported the legislature
Race Relations: Race Relations were still strained because even though
this allowed African Americans more rights such as voting, enacting
these rights posed a huge threat on African American lives as they would
 still be harassed.

Birmingham Date/What/Where: In April 1963, the Southern Christian Leadership

(Dierenfield Conference organized a non-violent protest in Birmingham, Alabama. It
62-65,74-81) was believed that this city was the most racist city throughout all of the
south. If the racism in this city could be diminished, then cities and
states elsewhere could also have their racism diminished if not
abolished. In this protest, MLK along with most other protesters, mostly
comprised of black youths, were put into jail, which was a state funded
operation. Birmingham is also known for the extreme unnecessary
violence that occurred towards the protestors. In doing this, the Chief
Police in this city, Chief Bull Connor was humiliated on a national and
international scale for his lack of control and his unnecessary violence.
Success/Failure: This even was both a success and a failure. It was
mainly a success as it gathered massive amounts of national attention
and portrayed the white racism in an extremely dark light after Chief
Bull Connor's decision to let dogs loose on the African Americans as well
as let fire hoses loose on them. There was a slight failure due to the
injuries of the protestors, however it was a necessary part of the protest
Organizations: The SCLC supported this protest
Impact on Federal Action: The effect of this protest was that it
internationally humiliated the United States and caused President
Kennedy to act in order to attempt to stop the segregation problem from
escalating. This eventually led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964/1965.
President: President John F. Kenney had little importance in the actual
protest but in the aftermath he took to action to help the integration
effort and openly supported the movement, which led to his
assassination.
Race Relations: Race Relations were never so strict between African
Americans and whites before. Whenever whites would use violence
against African Americans, it would portray them in a bad light, which
would enrage them even more causing them to use more violence
making them look worse even more.
March on Date/What/Where: The March on Washington was on August 28, 1963. It
Washington was organized mainly by Bayard Rustin and Martin Luther King as a goal
(Dierenfield of bringing together the community of integrationists, African Americans
84) and non-African Americans, for a strong connected march from the
Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial. The march was
relatively harmless and is one of the most well-known examples of
revolution in history. In this march, Martin Luther King made his famous
"I have a Dream" speech.
Success/Failure: This event was a complete success as it drew national
and international attention that showed that the African American
movement was a peaceful and non-violent one with the goal of simple
equal rights and democracy.
Organizations: NAACP, SNCC, SCLC, and CORE all participated and
cooperated in this event.
Impact on Federal Action: The march did not lead to any immediate
legislature
President: President John F. Kennedy supported the integrationist
movement and after this large display of Civil Rights, he was
assassinated.
Race Relations: Race Relations were not very strict as there was nearly
no antagonism in this movement. Even some whites joined in on this
movement to show their support.
Freedom Date/What/Where: In the summer of 1964, a group Northern white
Summer university students supported the integrationist movement and saught
(Dierenfield to register more African Americans to vote with the goal of ending
101-105) political segregation. In order to get African Americans to vote, a literacy
test was required, and while most African Americans were illiterate, the
white university students along with members from the SNCC, CORE and
NAACP set up "freedom schools" where volunteers could help educated
African Americans. In doing so, African Americans could vote. However
throughout this event, large amounts of antagonism were displayed as
the white community did not want African Americans to have suffrage.
Success/Failure: This event was both a success and a failure. This event
was mainly a failure because the amount of African American voters did
not change much because of the rigged Literacy tests as well as
extreme violence against those trying to vote. While it was also success
because it showed integrationist effort, the violence to no avail is a for
sure fail.
Organizations: The SNCC, CORE and NAACP were involved.
Impact on Federal Action: The Voting Rights Act was passed allowing
African Americans to vote under strict conditions.
President: President Johnson, he did not play much of role, but he did
support the legislature.
Race Relations: The Racial tensions were strained even more in this
event as more antagonism was displayed towards African Americans and
whites to the point that two white volunteers who were in support of civil
rights were murdered. This enraged much of both communities.
Great Society Date/What/Where: The Great Society was something that President
(Dierenfield Johnson wanted to create from November 1964 with the goal of ending
124-125) poverty, federal support of public education, and medical care/legal for
African Americans. His "Great Society" also included developing cities
and environmental care/awareness.
Success/Failure: This was a complete failure. While the thought and
moral was good, it was never really enforced due to the Vietnam War as
well as simply the inability to carry out such actions. Organizations were
created to help implement President Johnson's goal, however it was to
no avail
Organizations: Does Not Apply
Impact on Federal Action: New Legislation was passed in hopes of
accomplishing the Great Society, but they lacked enforcement and
effectiveness.
President: These were all the goals and acts of President Lyndon B.
Johnson.
Race Relations: The legislations passed let to a few race rioted, but
nothing as intense as other events.
Civil Rights Date/What/Where: The Civil Rights Act in 1964 that Kennedy had tried to
Act, 1964 pass before his assassination was passed by President Johnson. This Act
(Dierenfield outlawed Racial Discrimination in public education and required Federal
90-92) Government to stop funding segregationist schools and integrate public
facilities. This act established equal opportunities without discrimination
based on race.
Success/Failure: This was not very successful as there was nearly no
enforcement of these goals. The Federal Government failed to follow
through with their legislature
Organizations: Does Not Apply
Impact on Federal Action: This Civil Rights Act in 1964 was passed.
President: President Johnson supported this legislature.
Race Relations: Race Relations were still strained despite the passing of
this legislature
Voting Right Date/What/Where: In 1965, after the Selma March, the President passed
Act, 1965 the Voting Right Act in order to enforce the 15th amendment and for
(Dierenfield clarifying/abolishing tactics used to ban African American's from voting.
114, 117- It mandated that any polling tax/ literacy test be approved by the
119) Federal Government. This change drastically increased the amount of
(Cannon) African American Voters and therefore gave African Americans more
political power in voting for who they want in office who could better
serve the African Americans as well as work towards integration.
Success/Failure: This legislature was a success because it was effective
in giving African Americans Suffrage. They are now able to efficiently
choose who they believe could push the integrationist movement in the
federal government and therefore more change in a positive direction.
Organizations: Does Not Apply
Impact on Federal Action: This Voting Right Act in 1965 was passed.
President: President Johnson, supported the legislature
Race Relations: Increased tensions because this legislature drastically
shifted voting power towards the African Americans. The shift was not to
off tilt the white dominant vote, but the change in flow was definitely an
 aspect to be aware of.

Black Power - Date/What/Where: After repeated abuse, many African Americans

SNCC became tired with of the lack of help that they have received from the
(Dierenfield government and the abuse from the white society. In 1966 mainly in
126-128) Oakland, Black Power came from this unrest and was a representation of
African American pride in self-being. This came belief and the followers
came from the SNCC, which originally was a non-violent organization but
began to morph into a somewhat violent. Eventually white members
were barred and this organization became viewed as anti-white.
Success/Failure: Black Power was successful as it allowed some African
Americans to relinquish their inner rage after being abused for so long
by the white society. Also, the thought of black nationalism forced the
white society to notice the black community. One flaw in this was that it
made the anti-violent organizations look worse as the whole passive
protest idea was diminishing.
Organizations: The SNCC was the organization that branched off into
Black Power
Impact on Federal Action: There was not much
President: President Lyndon B. Johnson
Race Relations: The white community began to fear African Americans
for a change after all the violence they had inflicted on the African
Americans. Even though the Black Power Movement was 100% under
the law and followed even the strictest legislation, the white community
feared them.
Black Date/What/Where: The Black Panthers were a group of Black nationalists
Panthers who were organized to protect local communities from white racist
(Dierenfield police brutality as well as general racism. The Black Panthers were
127-128) founded on October 15, 1966 mainly in Oakland. They strictly followed
the law and carried guns. Despite their law-abiding behavior, they were
still portrayed to be somewhat like criminals when all they believed in
was self-defense and black empowerment. They provided massive
amounts of community aid as welld
Success/Failure: It was both successful and a failure. It was successful in
the way that it promoted an independent community as well as provided
community aid. However it failed in the sense that it lacked a larger
member base as well as drew back from the passive protest method
Martin Luther King
Organizations: Black Panthers? Black Panthers drew from the Black
Power Movement, which came from the SNCC so I guess the SNCC is
also viable.
Impact on Federal Action: No Federal Legislature was enacted. The Black
Panthers Movement changed things on a local level rather than a
national level
President: President Johnson, not much
Race Relations: Race relations were strained due to the same reason as
the Black Power movement. The white community feared the anger and
resentment that the Black Panthers carried along with their guns.
Assassinatio Date/What/Where: On April 4, 1968, in Memphis Tennessee, King was
n of Martin standing on his balcony in a hotel when he was preparing for a march
Luther King supporting a sanitation strike. He was assassinated by an unknown
Jr. assailant who is believed to be James Earl Ray who was convicted. A
(Carson) march was held in his honor where large amounts of supporters
gathered including civil rights leaders.
Success/Failure: This was a failure as one of the main leaders in the Civil
Rights Movement was murdered. Besides bring great grief, Martin Luther
King would no longer be able to contribute as diligently as he had done
in the past.
Organizations: S.C.L.C was the organization that Martin Luther King was
the leader of.
Impact on Federal Action: No Legislation was passed, however the US
government was forced to arrest rioters across the country
President: President Johnson, not much
Race Relations: The news of the death had struck most African
Americans with grief and anger. This resulted in massive amounts of
racial violence and race riots as well as property damage.
The Kerner Date/What/Where: The Kerner Commision was founded in 1967 to
Commision investigate the causes of urban race riots as well as search for a
(Flanagan) solution. It is also called the National Advisory Commission on Civil
Disorder. In March of 1968 it presented its findings, which simply were
that the nation was moving towards two unequal, separate societies.
The nation was being segregated into a black and white society.
Success/Failure: It was somewhat successful as it allowed for the nation
to realize the schism that could occur and act against it in order to
create a more equality based nation. Also after the Kerner Commision,
the amount of African Americans enrollin in white colleges rose
drastically.
Organizations: Does Not Apply
Impact on Federal Action: This led to the addition of new Civil Rights
Legislature that would support African Americans.
President: President Johnson founded the organization.
Race Relations: Race Relations began to simmer down as the nation
began to become more and more integrated.
Works Cited

Dierenfield, Bruce J. The Civil Rights Movement. Harlow [u.a.: Longman, 2004. Print.

Carl Rowan, Dream Makers, Dream Breakers: The World of Justice Thurgood
Marshall(Boston: Little,Brown, 1993)

American Decades. Ed. Judith S. Baughman, Victor Bondi, Richard Layman, Tandy
McConnell, and Vincent Tompkins. Vol. 6:1950-1959. Detroit: Gale, 2001. p390

Kousser, J. Morgan. "Plessy v. Ferguson." Dictionary of American History. Ed. Stanley

I. Kutler. 3rd ed. Vol. 6. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2003. 370-371. Gale
Virtual Reference Library. Web. 1 June 2010.

Canon, David. "Voting Rights Act of 1965." Dictionary of American History. Ed.
Stanley I. Kutler. 3rd ed. Vol. 8. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2003. 357-358.
Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 13

Carson, Clayborne. "King, Martin Luther, Assassination." Dictionary of American

History. Ed. Stanley I. Kutler. 3rd ed. Vol. 4. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons,
2003. 528-530. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 13 June 2010.

Flanagan, Richard M. "Kerner Commission." Dictionary of American History.

Ed. Stanley I. Kutler. 3rd ed. Vol. 4. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2003.
522. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 13 June 2010.