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      How successful was the civil rights movement by 1975?

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can make and evaluate judgement on the extent of progress in the civil rights movement by 1975.

      Key learning points

      1. Progress in politics was limited by Nixon, who showed little intention of supporting the civil rights movement.
      2. Although changes in education were slow, the bussing initiative brought rapid progress in the 1960s.
      3. One area Nixon offered some support was the economy, although rates of unemployment remained higher for black Americans.

      Keywords

      • Bussing - bussing was a system of using coaches and buses to help black Americans attend integrated schools outside of their local area

      Common misconception

      As Nixon showed little interest in the civil rights movement after his election, the movement largely regressed in the 1970s.

      The extent of progress in the civil rights movement was largely dependent on the area of life you consider. For example, there was little change politically but there was some progress economically.

      Teacher tip

      In each area of progress, encourage students to consider both successes and limitations - moving beyond "there was progress economically but not politically". Prompt them to consider the nuances of progress in each area!

      Content guidance

      Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

      Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

      Supervision

      Adult supervision recommended

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What happened to Martin Luther King Jr in 1968?

      Correct answer: He was assassinated.
      He was made president.
      He was made leader of the Civil Rights Party.
      He moved to Chicago.

      Q2.
      What did Johnson pass honouring King’s final work?

      Correct answer: the Fair Housing Act (1968)
      the Voting Rights Act (1965)
      the Civil Rights Act (1964)
      the Civil Rights Act (1965)

      Q3.
      What event took place on 10th July 1966 which involved 30 000 residents of Chicago marching to City Hall alongside King?

      Freedom Monday
      The Chicago Freedom Movement
      Freedom July
      Correct answer: Freedom Sunday

      Q4.
      Where did King face more resistance during his campaign, the North or the South?

      Correct Answer: North, the North, The North, the north, north

      Q5.
      What happened to tensions between white and black Americans following King's death?

      caused less tension
      Correct answer: caused further tension
      no changes tension occurred

      Q6.
      Who was held legally responsible for King's death?

      Correct Answer: James Earl Ray

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What keyword describes a system of using coaches and buses to help black Americans attend integrated schools outside of their local area?

      Correct Answer: bussing, Bussing

      Q2.
      Who was elected president of the United States in 1968?

      Correct Answer: Richard Nixon, Nixon, Richard M. Nixon

      Q3.
      Put the following presidents in order of how committed they were to the civil rights movement, starting with the most committed and ending with the least.

      1 - John F. Kennedy
      2 - Lyndon B. Johnson
      3 - Richard Nixon

      Q4.
      Which ruling marked the beginning of the civil rights movement?

      Plessy v. Ferguson
      Correct answer: Brown v Topeka
      Swann v. Charlotte
      Loving v. Virginia

      Q5.
      How did Nixon show he was willing to offer practical support to the civil rights movement?

      supported the Supreme Court Swann v. Charlotte ruling
      Correct answer: set up the Office of Minority Business Enterprise
      Correct answer: gave courts greater power to enforce equality in employment
      encouraged businesses to employ black American teenagers

      Q6.
      Which evidence shows that progress was being made for black Americans?

      Unemployment was 15% for white teenagers but 50% for black teenagers in 1970.
      Unemployment was 5% for white Americans and 8% for black Americans in 1970.
      Correct answer: Poverty levels had fallen for black Americans from 50% in 1960 to 30% in 1974.

      To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: How successful was the civil rights movement by 1975?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...