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G5-6 Text Set: Civil Rights

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gives his “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial, in Washington, D.C., on August 28, 1963. AP

During the American civil rights movement in the 1950s and 60s, black Americans sought to end the effects of racism and discrimination by fighting for equal rights under the law. This text set explores the theme of civil rights by looking at some historical figures and events that brought about social justice reforms.

Essential Questions

  1. What are civil rights?

  2. What problems did the civil rights movement address?

  3. Who played an important role in civil rights reform? What did they do? What was their impact?

  4. Why is it important to learn about the civil rights movement? How can we apply lessons from that historical period today?

Click here for full PDF guide to this text set.

Paired Text

TFK Library

Martin Luther King Jr.

January 1, 2020

Martin Luther King Jr. (January 15, 1929—April 4, 1968) is considered one of history’s greatest speakers and social activists. His leadership in peaceful protests helped end segregation during the American civil rights movement. When Martin Luther King Jr. was born,…

Audio

TFK Library

Fannie Lou Hamer

January 1, 2020

Fannie Lou Hamer (October 6, 1917—March 14, 1977) was a civil rights activist. She fought to expand voting rights for African Americans and raise awareness of the terrible impact of segregation. As an African American born in the South…

Audio
Video
Ruby Bridges

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Ruby Bridges

January 1, 2020

In 1960, Ruby Bridges (September 8, 1954—present) walked through the doors of William Frantz Elementary School, in New Orleans, Louisiana. By doing so, she became the first African-American student to attend an all-white elementary school in the Southern United States.…

Audio

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Lyndon B. Johnson

August 2, 2018

President Lyndon B. Johnson (August 27, 1908—January 22, 1973) advanced equality through major civil rights legislation and social service programs. He is also remembered for expanding U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War. Lyndon B. Johnson was vice president when…

History

Justice for All

February 16, 2018

On September 4, 1957, 14-year-old Carlotta Walls and eight other black teenagers approached Little Rock Central High School, in Arkansas. It was supposed to be their first day of school, but angry protesters threatened the students, and Arkansas National Guardsmen…

Video

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