Peaceful Protests in the 1960s
History: KS3, topic 21.1.10
The Campaign in Birmingham and March on Washington 1963
The campaign in Birmingham, Alabama, 1963 and the March on Washington, 1963 were pivotal moments in the Civil Rights movement.
Campaign in Birmingham, Alabama, 1963
- Campaign C (C for confrontation) aimed to end segregation by provoking white violence using nonviolent methods in order to gain support from the wider public.
- They chose Birmingham because of its total segregation, and because Bull Connor was Chief of Police.
- The SNCC, SCLC and Martin Luther King were all involved.
Methods
- It included sit-ins, boycotts and peaceful marches.
- Thousands took part, with many arrested.
- The SNCC trained young demonstrators, as most of the adults were in jail.
Participation and results
- 6000 marched, and about 900 were arrested.
- Chief of Police Bull Connor used fire hoses and attack dogs on the teenagers which caused massive outcry.
March on Washington, 1963
- The March for Jobs and Freedom had 250,000 people march on Washington (about 40,000 were white).
- It was the largest political protest in US history.
- It was peaceful and broadcast on TV with famous people like Bob Dylan involved.
'I have a Dream' speech
- Martin Luther King made the closing speech ('I have a Dream') that confirmed his role as leader of the Civil Rights movement.
- The speech signified how prominent the movement had become at that time.
Test yourself on Peaceful Protests in the 1960s
Why was Campaign C (1963) held in Birmingham?
Who was involved in Campaign C in Alabama?
When was the March on Washington?