Lyndon B. Johnson’s Decision on Civil

Rights

By: Ginneh D.

Let’s Take a Flashback

In the years of the segregation there were many unhappy African Americans, but in the 1960’s many Americans started to make strides toward creating a more equal America.

In John F. Kennedy’s years as president in 1961-1963, Kennedy had talked greatly about improving the African-American way of life.

After Kennedy died, his Vice President, Lyndon Johnson had kept Kennedy’s dream alive by working to change laws that kept African Americans from being equal.

Background on Civil Rights legislation

Civil Rights start to occur, many blacks start to fight for their rights as equal Americans.

The crisis that confronted the United States were White Supremacists who refused to let African Americans increase their rights as Americans, and African Americans who were enraged that they were not given this right.

Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman, and James Chaney, disappeared in Mississippi while trying to the register African American voters in what was known as “Freedom Summer”. Their bodies were found 6 weeks later after 150 FBI agents were sent to find them.

What Are President Johnson’s Options?

Listen to many Southern White Politicans who were very opposed to any civil rights and believed in segregation. They actually believed that, “The Southern institution of racial segregation or racial separation was the correct, self-evident truth“ (James Eastland, US Senator).

Listen to Republicans who said they supported civil rights but didn’t believe that the government should get involved. So he could just do nothing to help and there would be no legal action taken to help African Americans.

Listen to Northern democrats who believed in making legislation that gave African Americans rights so that it is illegal to do harm to them because of their race.

Why did Johnson sign Civil Rights Legislation?

Johnson choose to sign civil rights legislation because he said, “Justice and Morality Demand It!”

In an effort to give African Americans more equal rights under the law, two Civil Rights Bills were passed:

The Civil Rights Act The Voting Rights Act

During the signing of the civil rights bill Johnson said, “We believe that all men are entitled to the blessings of liberty. Yet, millions are being deprived of those blessings. Not because of their own failures, but because of the color of their skin. But it can not continue… the law I will sign tonight forbids it!”

The Results of Civil Rights Legislation

Although the act was passed, many people’s prejudices still existed. This caused anger by both whites and blacks. Riots began in Harlem, New York after a fifteen year-old James Powell was shot by a white off-duty police officer on July 18, 1964. This act of police brutality brought about eight thousand Harlem residents to start a large-scale riot in the streets, breaking widows, setting fires and looting local businesses.

This legislation was only a small stepping stone toward African American civil liberties

Johnson’s impact on the world

Because Johnson did not have many options on how to handle the crisis, he definitely chose the right one. In today’s world African- Americans all have the right to be as equal as anyone else.

Although there are still improvements to be made, It not only changed the way African Americans live, but it also affected the way they are judged by white America and the world. The era of the civil rights movement made many citizens aware of their right to demand that the government live up to its principles, be fair, and give equal rights to all people regardless of their skin color. I think without the civil rights movement and legislation we wouldn’t have been able to see a black president of the United States today.

Works Cited Page America in the 20th Century: The Civil Rights

Movement.  Prod. Media Rich Learning.  Media Rich Learning, 2010. Discovery Education. Web. 17 October 2011. <http://www.discoveryeducation.com/>.

Heasman, Sarah. "Lyndon Johnson." History Learning Site. N.p., 2000-2001. Web. 10 Oct. 2011. <http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/Lyndon_Baines_Johnson.htm>.

"1964 Civil Rights Act." Spartacus Educational. Spartacus Educational, n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2011. <http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAcivil64.htm>.

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