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Year 11 - History

Progress in education, 1954-60

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 extent of change in education in the 1950s, and how some people opposed these changes.

Key Notes

  • By 1950s, many schools across the US were still segregated, especially in the South.
  • As a result of the Brown v. Topeka ruling, schools began to desegregate - although this was slow across the south.
  • Some powerful local figures tried to oppose the desegregation of schools, particularly in the south.
  • Although Eisenhower was reluctant, the federal government was pressured to enforce desegregation.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • federal: a federal government is a system of government where there is one central government that controls a collection of smaller state governments
  • desegregation: desegregation is when segregation is ended
  • unconstitutional: something is unconstitutional when it breaks the terms of a country's constitution, especially when it violates the rights given to individuals by the constitution
  • school board: a school board is a group of individuals responsible for making decisions about schools in the local area

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • When the Supreme Court ordered all schools to desegregate, they were quick to follow this instruction because it came from the Supreme Court.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.

By 1950s, many schools across the US were still segregated, especially in the South. As a result of the Brown v. Topeka ruling, schools began to desegregate - although this was slow across the south.

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

a federal government is a system of government where there is one central government that controls a collection of smaller state governments.

3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.

Mistake: When the Supreme Court ordered all schools to desegregate, they were quick to follow this instruction because it came from the Supreme Court. Correction: Although the Supreme Court was the highest court in the USA, many schools were slow to desegregate and some refused to desegregate until they were eventually forced.

More Lessons In This Unit

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