20.1.9

The James Meredith Case

Test yourself

The James Meredith Case 1962

The University of Mississippi had rejected James Meredith in 1961 but was ordered by Supreme Court to admit him in 1962 as the NAACP argued he was rejected because he was black.

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University of Mississippi

  • James Meredith was a black student who applied to study at the University of Mississippi in 1961.
  • The University of Mississippi rejected Meredith's application but was ordered by Supreme Court to admit him in 1962 as the NAACP argued he was rejected because he was black.
  • His rejection was a clear violation of the previous ruling in favour of the desegregation of education as a result of Brown v. Topeka.
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WCC

  • The Governor of Mississippi and University officials ignored the order and physically stopped him from registering.
  • They were members of the white supremacist WCC.
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Mob attack

  • 500 federal officials were sent to protect Meredith while registering.
  • President Kennedy appealed for calm on TV and radio, but a 3,000-man mob attacked the federal officials.
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Causalities

  • 2 civilians died in the clashes.
  • 375 civilians were injured.
  • 28 federal officials were shot by the mob.
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Federal troops

  • Federal troops were sent in to stop the riots and guarded James all year as he continued his studies.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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