The changing position of black Americans by 1960
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the extent of progress in the position of black Americans by 1960.
Key learning points
- There was legal progress in achieving desegregation in education, although there was significant resistance.
- There was significant progress in achieving desegregation in transport, despite violent resistance.
- Organised opposition limited the progress made by black Americans by 1960.
- By 1960, the position of black Americans had started to improve as a result of non-violent direct action.
Keywords
Desegregate - to end segregation, ending the separation of people according to a physical quality or belief
Federal - a federal government is a system of government where these is one central government that controls a collection of smaller state governments
Boycott - when you refuse to use a service as a form of protest it is known as a boycott
Filibuster - a prolonged action (eg. a speech) that aims to prevents the passing of a law
Common misconception
As a result of legal changes, there was significant progress for all black Americans by 1960.
Legal changes led to some change for black Americans, although a significant amount of opposition from within and outside the government led to limited change for most black Americans.
Teacher tip
When explaining the extent of progress in education and transport, make clear that the legal rulings meant that there was objectively SOME progress - but the extent of this progress is what we are looking at this lesson.
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.A was a was a Southern Democrat party politician, known for their opposition to the civil rights movement.
Q2.Which organisation was successful in taking Brown v Topeka to the Supreme Court?
Q3.Match the name of the person with the role they played in the civil rights move. Write the correct letter in each box.
founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference
was escorted into school by federal troops
found the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People
drove the Little Rock Nine to school
Q4.Match the person or organisation with an example of the role they played in opposing the civil rights movement. Write the correct letter in each box.
told the National Guard to stop the enrolment of the Little Rock Nine
held the longest filibuster to date against the Civil Rights Act
were responsible for the brutal murder of Emmett Till
worked together to get civil rights activists fired from their jobs
Q5.The phrase the ‘lost year’ refers to the closure of all the high schools in which area?
Q6.Which of the following were contributions made by Martin Luther King Jr. for the civil rights movement? Tick all of the correct statements.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which is the system of government where there is one central government that controls a collection of smaller state governments?
Q2.In which area did the 1955 bus boycott take place?
Q3.Which of these are outcomes of attempts to desegregate schools in the USA?
Q4.Which of these are outcomes of attempts to desegregate transport in the USA?
Q5.Select three words that make a judgement on the extent of change.
Q6.Which of these sentences make a judgement about the extent of change? Select all the correct answers.
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The changing position of black Americans by 1960, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The changing position of black Americans by 1960, 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.