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Year 11 - History

Reasons why the civil rights movement was more successful from 1960 to 1965

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 key moments of the civil rights movement and explain the main reasons for the success achieved by 1965.

Key Notes

  • The widespread use of non-violent direct action led to greater support from black and white Americans.
  • The support of Kennedy led to rapid progress and greater federal intervention.
  • As president, Johnson continued Kennedy's efforts passing both the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • direct action: direct action is the use of demonstrations or protests to achieve a goal, rather than negotiation
  • act: an act is a law passed by the government
  • interstate: existing between states; for example, buses travelling between states

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • One individual, Martin Luther King, was responsible for the success of the civil rights movement from 1960 to 1965.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.

The widespread use of non-violent direct action led to greater support from black and white Americans. The support of Kennedy led to rapid progress and greater federal intervention.

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

direct action is the use of demonstrations or protests to achieve a goal, rather than negotiation.

3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.

Mistake: One individual, Martin Luther King, was responsible for the success of the civil rights movement from 1960 to 1965. Correction: While Martin Luther King played a huge role of the success seen in these years, the success was also the result of several civil rights leaders and the work of their organisations as well an increasing support from the president.

More Lessons In This Unit

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