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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain the reasons for King's campaign in the North, make a judgement on the success of the campaign and describe the impact of King's assassination.

      Key learning points

      1. Martin Luther King Jr moved north in 1966 to tackle issues of poverty and poor housing for black Americans.
      2. The Chicago Freedom Movement used non-violent direct action to attempt to bring about change.
      3. Some celebrated the movement as a success, but most felt it was a failure and brought little actual change.
      4. When King was assassinated in 1968, riots broke across the US and many look for more radical forms of protest.

      Keywords

      • Redlining - redlining was the process used in Chicago to limit black Americans to specific, run-down areas of the city

      Common misconception

      The work of Martin Luther King ended with the Voting Right Acts in 1965.

      With continued violence, rioting and protests, King continued to fight for change in the North. However, he faced greater opposition than he did in the South.

      Teacher tip

      In explaining the opposition King faced in the North, this is a good opportunity to challenge the assumption that racism and opposition was always more pronounced in the South! Even King didn't expect greater resistance in the North!

      Content guidance

      Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

      Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

      Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

      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.
      Match the keywords to the correct definitions.

      Correct Answer:discrimination,the unjust treatment of a person or group of people

      the unjust treatment of a person or group of people

      Correct Answer:commission,a group of people trusted by a government to carry out a task

      a group of people trusted by a government to carry out a task

      Correct Answer:establishment,a system of politics and government

      a system of politics and government

      Correct Answer:integrated,groups with both black and white Americans

      groups with both black and white Americans

      Q2.
      Which of the following were consequences of the Watts riots?

      Correct answer: $40 million in damages
      Correct answer: deaths of 34 people
      Correct answer: arrests of 4000 people
      $34 million in damages
      deaths of 4000 people

      Q3.
      Why did riots break out in the summer of 1965?

      There was ongoing discrimination against white Americans.
      Correct answer: The acts in 1964 and 1965 were seen as too little too late.
      Correct answer: Unemployment amongst black Americans was still extremely high.
      The acts in 1963 and 1966 were seen as too little too late.
      Correct answer: There ongoing discrimination against black Americans.

      Q4.
      What order of events led to the outbreak of the Watts riots?

      1 - arrest of Marquette Frye
      2 - Marquette's brother, Ronald, stepped in to help him as a scuffle broke out
      3 - a crowd gathered around the incident
      4 - Rena Frye arrived
      5 - Ronald and Rena Frye were arrested
      6 - dangerous items were thrown at buses and cars

      Q5.
      Where did the biggest riots take place?

      Correct answer: Newark
      Chicago
      New York
      Correct answer: Detroit

      Q6.
      Who ordered an investigation to be launched into the causes of the riots and to provide recommendations to prevent it happening again?

      Richard Kerner
      Otto Kerner
      Correct answer: Lyndon B. Johnson
      Martin Luther King Jr

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What keyword describes the process used in Chicago to limit black Americans to specific, run-down areas of the city?

      Correct Answer: redlining, Redlining

      Q2.
      Why did Martin Luther King Jr move north in 1966?

      Correct answer: to tackle issues of poverty and poor housing for black Americans
      to tackle issues of poverty and poor housing for white Americans
      to tackle issues of integration and separatism

      Q3.
      How many Chicago residents marched to City Hall alongside King on Freedom Sunday in July 1966?

      Correct Answer: 30 000, 30000, thirty thousand, thirty-thousand, Thirty thousand

      Q4.
      How could the Chicago Freedom Movement be considered as a success?

      Correct answer: The mayor committed to building more public housing in white neighbourhoods.
      Correct answer: The mayor made mortgages available to all residents of Chicago.
      The negotiation between Mayor Daley and King was seen as too little too late.
      Correct answer: The SCLC received a $4 million federal grant to improve housing in Chicago.
      Civil rights activists faced a great deal of opposition during their campaign.

      Q5.
      What was the reasoning behind much of the criticism behind King's campaign in the North?

      seen as being nationalist
      seen as being capitalist
      Correct answer: seen as being communist

      Q6.
      When was Martin Luther King Jr assassinated?

      1965
      Correct answer: 1968
      1966
      1964

      To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: King's campaign in the North, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...