Reasons why the civil rights movement was more successful from 1960 to 1965
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the key moments of the civil rights movement and explain the main reasons for the success achieved by 1965.
Key learning points
- The widespread use of non-violent direct action led to greater support from black and white Americans.
- The support of Kennedy led to rapid progress and greater federal intervention.
- As president, Johnson continued Kennedy's efforts passing both the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act.
Keywords
Direct action - direct action is the use of demonstrations or protests to achieve a goal, rather than negotiation
Act - an act is a law passed by the government
Interstate - existing between states; for example, buses travelling between states
Common misconception
One individual, Martin Luther King, was responsible for the success of the civil rights movement from 1960 to 1965.
While Martin Luther King played a huge role of the success seen in these years, the success was also the result of several civil rights leaders and the work of their organisations as well an increasing support from the president.
Teacher tip
In order to develop student's responses, when walking through the reasons for change you can encourage them to consider the relationship between the different reasons.
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
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keyword to its correct definition.
temporary schools set up in Mississippi to help overcome inequalities
the act of signing up to do something - for example, voting
to officially register as a student on a university course
the use of demonstrations or protests to achieve a goal
Q2.Who became president in 1960 with lots of support from black Americans?
Q3.When did the march on Selma begin?
Q4.Which president successfully passed the Voting Rights Act in 1965?
Q5.Which of the following was included in the Civil Rights Act (1964)?
Q6.Several civil rights leaders from which organisations decided to campaign for further change following the Civil Rights Act (1964)?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The widespread use of what type of tactic led to greater support of the civil rights movement from black and white Americans?
Q2.What word describes existing between states; for example, buses travelling between states?
Q3.Put the following events of the civil rights movement from 1960-1965 in order, starting with the earliest.
Q4.Which of the following were key reasons for the civil rights movement's success from 1960-1965?
Q5.Why did President Johnson, not President Kennedy, pass the Civil Rights Act (1964)?
Q6.The support of which president led to rapid progress in the civil rights movement and greater federal intervention?
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Reasons why the civil rights movement was more successful from 1960 to 1965, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Reasons why the civil rights movement was more successful from 1960 to 1965, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the The USA, 1954–75 conflict at home and abroad unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.