Describe 4 significant events in the struggle to secure civil rights for African Americans.
1. Brown v. Board of Education (1954) - This landmark Supreme Court case ruled that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, marking the end of the "separate but equal" doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson. This decision paved the way for desegregation and equal educational opportunities for African American students.
2. Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956) - In response to the arrest of Rosa Parks for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger, African Americans in Montgomery, Alabama organized a boycott of the city's bus system. The successful year-long boycott led by Martin Luther King Jr. and others brought national attention to the civil rights movement and resulted in the desegregation of public transportation in the city.
3. Civil Rights Act of 1964 - Signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, this landmark legislation prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed segregation in public facilities, banned employment discrimination, and provided federal government oversight to ensure equal voting rights for all citizens.
4. Voting Rights Act of 1965 - Following years of voter suppression tactics aimed at African Americans, including poll taxes, literacy tests, and intimidation, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed to eliminate these barriers to voting. The act authorized federal oversight of election procedures in states with a history of voter discrimination and increased African American voter registration and participation in the democratic process.