Study Hub

Study Guides

This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.

Back to Study HubBrowse Year 11 History Guides

Year 11 - History

The riots of 1965-67 and the Kerner Report (1968)

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 Watts riots, and explain the significance of the riots that followed.

Key Notes

  • Despite the passing of new acts, rates of unemployment and poverty were still high amongst black Americans.
  • The Watts riots triggered three summers of rioting across the US.
  • President Johnson ordered an investigation into the causes of the riots, to prevent further outbreaks.
  • The Kerner Report said the lack of economic opportunity and ongoing racial discrimination as the cause of the riots.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • discrimination: discrimination is the unjust treatment of a person or group of people, usually on the grounds of a physical quality or belief
  • commission: a commission is a group of people trusted by a government to carry out a task, usually an investigation

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • The Voting Rights Act (1965) marked the end of protests to fight against racial injustice.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.

Despite the passing of new acts, rates of unemployment and poverty were still high amongst black Americans. The Watts riots triggered three summers of rioting across the US.

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

discrimination is the unjust treatment of a person or group of people, usually on the grounds of a physical quality or belief.

3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.

Mistake: The Voting Rights Act (1965) marked the end of protests to fight against racial injustice. Correction: Many people felt the acts were too little too late as unemployment rates remained high and daily discrimination continued - for many, in the form of poverty.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 11 History guide library.