The civil rights movement, 1965-75
There were major 329 major riots in 257 US cities between 1964 and 1968. The riots were caused by problems faced by black Americans in city ghettos.
Police discrimination
Discrimination by white officials
Unemployment
Poverty
Poor quality education
General pattern of the riots
Trigger incident, often involving the police
Minor attacks on property, e.g., brick throwing, window smashing.
Increasing violence and looting (usually at night).
State troops brought in to stop the violence. Promises of reform are made and calm is restored.
Kerner Report
July, 1968. Lyndon B. set up an enquiry into the riots.
King's campaign in the North
King was shocked by his visit to Watts and wanted to show that non-violent direct action could still produce results. He went to Chicago. He found it difficult as it was very different to the South.
King faced very different opposition. Chicago's mayor, Richard Daley, used words, not weapons. He sounded supportive but did nothing.
Before the marches could begin, a riot broke out. King's appeals for calm were ignored.
Mostly it was a failure.
MLK assassination
In the weeks after King's death, there were riots all over USA. Many black Americans became more radical after his death.
Richard Nixon - 1969. he was careful to balance the need for black votes against the need to keep the Southern vote. He introduced reforms.
Progress by 1975
Voting Rights Act was revised to ban state literacy tests. In 1965, it was revised to include other races.
By 1975, the fight for equality was far from won. Racism ran deeper in the USA than many had thought.
Support for civil rights protest dropped as the Vietnam War became more of an issue.
Said US was developing two societies and black people were discriminated against at every level.