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Year 11 - History

Greensboro and the sit-in movement

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 explain the significance of the Greensboro sit-in.

Key Notes

  • Although many universities had segregated by 1960, many facilities used by students were still segregated.
  • The Greensboro sit-in was organised by students.
  • The sit-in was successful, and became another example of the effectiveness of non-violent direct action.
  • The success of the sit-in led to the formation of SNCC.
  • SNCC went on to play a leading role in the civil rights movement.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • desegregate: to desegregate is to stop people being separated or kept apart by force (segregation)
  • sit-in: to sit somewhere and refuse to move as a form of protest
  • direct action: direct action is the use of demonstrations or protest to achieve a goal, rather than negotiation
  • voter registration: voter registration is the act of signing up to be able to vote, which often involves meeting certain criteria

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • The civil rights movement was always co-ordinated and led by older men and women.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.

Although many universities had segregated by 1960, many facilities used by students were still segregated. The Greensboro sit-in was organised by students.

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

to desegregate is to stop people being separated or kept apart by force (segregation).

3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.

Mistake: The civil rights movement was always co-ordinated and led by older men and women. Correction: In the 1960s, there was a shift in the civil rights movement as students began to take a leading role in the fight against racial injustice.

More Lessons In This Unit

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