Why was the 1960s, and in particular the year 1964, crucial for progression in American society and the cause of the Civil Rights Movement?

Why was the 1960s, and in particular the year 1964, crucial for progression in American society and the cause of the Civil Rights Movement?

Introduction

The 1960s marked 100 years of civil rights activism in the US. The year 1964 in particular saw the rise of individuals like Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. Under the Presidencies of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, America finally saw an advancement of civil rights with the act of the same in 1964. However, when considering more modern history and the issues of the present day, it can be argued that although civil rights were granted to all, even in this modern age, the reality of equality is still yet to be achieved.[1] The rise in protest and reform in America during this time was large, but was it really any bigger than before, or did it just conclude what activists had been trying for a century? This study will argue that the 1960s saw progress that had been long overdue for the cause of Civil Rights for all in America.

The Importance of the Key Leaders during the Civil Rights Movement

One important part of the advancement of the Civil Rights Movement was due to the work of significant leaders and activists during the movement. The leaders of activism during the 1960s, used common ideals to relate their speeches and actions to the many and provide people with a common aim of equality, whilst fighting with common interests. For Malcolm X in particular, his speeches including The Ballot or the Bullet presented strong aspects of black nationalism and the need for racial recognition.[2] In this speech, Malcolm recognised that the people of the 1960s are the witnesses of great change; “1964 threatens to be the most explosive year America has ever witnessed. The most explosive year. Why? It’s also a political year. …”[3] the reality of this statement being without a doubt. Malcolm gave this speech on April 12th 1964, and therefore he could not have predicted how much of a significant year this would be for racial activism. President John F Kennedy would not be assassinated until November 22nd that year, an event that marked the death of a President working in unison with the people of America to which he represented. Lyndon B Johnson’s Presidency would conclude Kennedy’s legacy and solidify the result of a long time coming of efforts for equality.

For the case of Malcolm X and his speech, it provided blacks the hope and determination to continue to act for their deserved equal rights as US citizens. The speech recognised Malcolm as an ordinary individual, no matter his religion, education and political opinions that he shared the emotion and frustration of those not rightfully represented in an ‘Free America’. Malcom allowed blacks to realise the power they already had without realising, as they had been undermined by the white social democrats of the era. He stated “A vote for a Democrat is a vote for a Dixiecrat. That’s why, in 1964, it’s time now for you and me to become more politically mature and realize what the ballot is for… It’s either a ballot or a bullet.”[4]

Similarly, although using different mediums and speaking slightly earlier another leader of 1960s activism provided the willpower and emotion into his speech to insight those around him who felt underappreciated and unrecognisable within society. His speech ignited the people and expressed that same idea that the people of America were to witness a time of historical, political and social importance. He stated “I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.”[5] His name was Martin Luther King JR. King used the ideas of black history and the need for unification against the limitations of the laws. King, used the 100 year anniversary of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 to recognise that “one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination.” The words of King, would echo through to the activism and spark that of further action during the year of 1964. King continued to act until his own death in 1968, and influenced that of Little Rock Nine and the NACCP.

John A Kirk in his book Martin Luther King Jr argued that by 1964, King had mastered his ideology of “nonviolence, into a coherent strategy for social and political change.”[6] King’s ideology and appearance as a figurehead for the cause of civil rights, reached its climax with the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Although, it is obvious from evidence acquired that when it came to the issue of civil rights, President Kennedy and King had different ideas, the passing of this act demonstrated that King’s connections with the aristocracy of the era, connected the final pie