The Campaign in Congress for Civil Rights

A study of civil rights legislationChapter 6, Theme A, part 2

“Front Burner” IssueHow do you get people with political clout to demand

change for a minority? (Public Agenda) How do you change public opinion?

a. Use civil disobedience to initiate dramatic confrontations (Rosa Parks &the Montgomery bus boycott) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8A9gvb5Fh0

b. Use media campaigns (Invite coverage of abuse) to play on sympathies of whites. (Greensboro Sit-in)

a. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KREQGwC_cFYb. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbbcjn4d1cE

c. Enfranchise black voters.d. Discourage riots as frustration grew over the slow

progress.

The Campaign in Congress

• Powerful Southern Democrats blocked nearly all legislation in committees or filibustered in Senate. The House Rules & Senate Judiciary Committees were the graveyards of legislation.

• In 1957, Strom Thurmond filibustered for over 24 hrs to block civil rights legislation.

• In 1964, a filibuster was ended by cloture leading to passage of the Civil Rights Act.

• So, what led to this change?

The Campaign in Congress• How did the assassination of JFK help the civil rights

movement?• How did the 1964 elections bring change?• The Civil Rights Act of 1964 & the Voting Rights Act of

1965 were landmark laws. Why were these so significant?

• Discuss each with activity:– Group 1: CRA, Title I -Group 4: CRA, Title IV– Group 2: CRA, Title II -Group 5: CRA, Title V– Group 3: CRA, Title III -Group 6: CRA, Title VII– Group 7: VRA, Secs. 2-3 -Group 8: VRA, Sec. 4– Group 9: VRA, Sec. 10 -Group 10: VRA, Sec. 11

Legislation Study

• For your assigned section or title, answer the following:– What area or practice of discrimination does the

section or title address?– How does it address this area or practice?– To whom does it give power?– From whom does it take power?

The Civil Rights Act vs. Voting Rights Act

Similarities• Both have provisions

protecting voting rights• Both give power to the

Attorney General to enforce provisions

• Both define discrimination on the basis of the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause

Differences• CRA has more diverse focus;

VRA focuses on enfranchisement rights

• CRA gives power to the EEOC to investigate abuse; VRA gives power to the CRC to appoint registrars and monitors

• CRA challenged by commerce clause; VRA challenged around 10th Amendment

What REALLY led to Change & societal integration?

• Futile resistance• Disruption of economy & government• Enfranchisement of blacks• Unsuccessful legal challenges• Withholding federal funds• Public opinion changed

Is the battle over for civil rights? How have police tactics fueled debates over race?

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Figure 6.2: Growing Support Among Southern Democrats in Congress for

Civil Rights Bills

Congressional Quarterly, Congress and the Nation, vols. 1, 2, 3, 7, 8.

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

6 | 9

Table 6.1: Increase in Number of Black Elected Officials

New Challenges to Old Laws

• Shelby County v. Holder• NC Wins Appeal to Keep Election Laws• SCOTUS Blocks WI Voter ID Law• SCOTUS Won't Interrupt TX Voter ID Law