The 1960s was the greatest turning point for AA civil rights in the period 1865-
1992'. How far do you agree?
The 1960’s was evidently a significant and progressive decade for African American civil
rights in terms ending segregation as well as outlawing voting suppressions. However, it is
clear that the reconstruction era of 1865-1877 had also brought dramatic progressions,
from the years of bondage prior to the 13th amendment to receiving the right to vote
through the 15th amendment. Nevertheless, this essay will endeavour to highlight the
limitations of the reconstruction era and discuss the significance of the 1960’s evidencing
that this decade was in fact the greatest turning point for AA civil rights. Moreover, this
essay will demonstrate, that whilst the 1960’s were seen as a major turning point socially
and politically for AA, they were of less impact in terms of economic development, with
relative poverty remaining an issue through to the 1990’s.
The 1960’s is often cited as the greatest turning point socially for AA’s due to the extensive
pieces of legislation passed during this decade, effectively ending what had been an epoch
of segregation and discrimination for AA’s. Through the use of passive resistance and media
manipulation via, the Birmingham campaign (1963) and the Freedom Rides (1961), JFK was
undeniably pressed to recognise the need for a Civil Rights Act. The violent retaliation by the
police whilst being Filmed and broadcasted on nation television forced the issue further.
After the campaigns, it was clear that Kennedy had been insistent for this legislation and
after his assassination, with only 11 months left until the next election, LBJ was left with
little choice but to sign The Civil Rights Act of 1964. Ultimately, this act outlawed
segregation in public places and affectively ended Jim Crow laws and the ruling of Plessy Vs
Ferguson 1896 that upheld the constitutionality of ‘separate but equal’ and ended
discrimination in employment and education. In addition, through this act, racially
motivated violence was brought under federal control, providing a turning point in terms of
federal attitude to white supremacist violence. Therefore, this piece of legislation is still
seen as one of the most significant and important legislations passed in aiding the
progression of AA civil rights, socially thereby supporting the argument that the 1960’s were
the greatest turning point in the civil rights movement.
However, it could be argued that there were more successful eras in establishing a ‘turning
point’ socially for AA, such as the reconstruction era and the late 19 th century. Ultimately the
most categorical turning point for AA was the 13th Amendment, which outlawed slavery. It
was clearly a turning Point for AA’s because it established their freedom in law and provided
them with a basic human right such as the right to marry, worship freely, own property and
become educated. In addition, the ratification of the 14th amendment in 1868 stated that all
persons born or naturalised in the USA was a citizen and that no state could limit their rights
to citizenship. This was extremely important, as throughout the 20th century, violations of
the 14th amendment rights were often at the heart of many governmental and constitutional
law claims and supreme court rulings. Therefore the 14th amendment is seen to anticipate
and aid further AA progressions in the years to come, thus emphasising that this era, socially
was the most crucial turning point in the civil rights movement. In addition, there was the
formation of the KKK Act, meaning that the KKK could be prosecuted in federal courts for
violence and intimidation against AA’s. As a result, Klan members began to be prosecuted
and by 1872 the Klan had been suppressed. Despite this, the years between 1880 and 1910
