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Year 11 - History

The changing position of black Americans by 1960

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 progress in the position of black Americans by 1960.

Key Notes

  • There was legal progress in achieving desegregation in education, although there was significant resistance.
  • There was significant progress in achieving desegregation in transport, despite violent resistance.
  • Organised opposition limited the progress made by black Americans by 1960.
  • By 1960, the position of black Americans had started to improve as a result of non-violent direct action.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • desegregate: to end segregation, ending the separation of people according to a physical quality or belief
  • federal: a federal government is a system of government where these is one central government that controls a collection of smaller state governments
  • boycott: when you refuse to use a service as a form of protest it is known as a boycott
  • filibuster: a prolonged action (eg. a speech) that aims to prevents the passing of a law

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • As a result of legal changes, there was significant progress for all black Americans by 1960.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.

There was legal progress in achieving desegregation in education, although there was significant resistance. There was significant progress in achieving desegregation in transport, despite violent resistance.

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

to end segregation, ending the separation of people according to a physical quality or belief.

3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.

Mistake: As a result of legal changes, there was significant progress for all black Americans by 1960. Correction: Legal changes led to some change for black Americans, although a significant amount of opposition from within and outside the government led to limited change for most black Americans.

More Lessons In This Unit

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