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Year 11 - History

Freedom rides: protests and progress for civil rights (1961)

The USA, 1954–75 conflict at home and abroad

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils study a modern society and the issues that affected it in great depth over a shorter period. They learn about the key events, developments, people and stories that shaped this modern society over a period of around twenty to thirty years.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to describe the events of the Freedom Rides and explain their significance for the civil rights movement.

Key Notes

  • In 1960, the Supreme Court had ordered interstate bus terminals and stations to desegregate.
  • CORE, SNCC and the SCLC came together to organise Freedom Rides to see whether this ruling was being carried out.
  • The Freedom Riders were an integrated group who faced extreme violence on their journey.
  • Violent opposition was supported and enabled by the KKK, police chiefs and the FBI.
  • The Freedom Rides were considered a success by most as they raised awareness of the civil rights movement.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • interstate: interstate is when a service exists between states - for example, buses travelling between states
  • direct action: direct action is the use of demonstrations or protest to achieve a goal, rather than negotiation
  • integrated: integrated groups are groups with both black and white Americans

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • The increased success of the direct action in the 1960s was the result of minimal opposition.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.

In 1960, the Supreme Court had ordered interstate bus terminals and stations to desegregate. CORE, SNCC and the SCLC came together to organise Freedom Rides to see whether this ruling was being carried out.

2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'interstate'

interstate is when a service exists between states - for example, buses travelling between states.

3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.

Mistake: The increased success of the direct action in the 1960s was the result of minimal opposition. Correction: Direct action in the 1960s was increasingly successful because of the increased opposition that was captured by national and international news reporters.

More Lessons In This Unit

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