Describe three key figures and/or events that led to the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
(3 points)
1. Key figure: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - as a prominent leader in the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. King's activism and powerful speeches helped to mobilize public support for civil rights legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964. His nonviolent protests, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington, brought national attention to the issue of racial segregation and discrimination.
2. Key event: March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom - held on August 28, 1963, this massive demonstration in Washington, D.C. brought together over 200,000 participants who called for civil rights legislation, including the desegregation of schools and the passage of a strong civil rights bill. The march culminated in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech, which helped to galvanize support for the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
3. Key figure: President Lyndon B. Johnson - following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson assumed the presidency and made the passage of civil rights legislation a top priority. Johnson used his political skills and influence to push for the Civil Rights Act of 1964, working with Congress to secure its passage despite fierce opposition from southern segregationist lawmakers. Ultimately, Johnson signed the bill into law on July 2, 1964, marking a significant victory for the civil rights movement.