The Increased Racial Tension in the USA in the Years 1964-1970

The Increased Racial Tension in the USA in the Years 1964-1970

Slavery had been abolished in the USA in the 1860; blacks had

continued to be treated as second-class citizens and to be denied

their civil rights. Kennedy set up the civil rights act in 1964 that

banned discrimination in public accommodations, in federally assisted

programs and in employment. Also it gave federal government new power

to enforce desegregation and prosecute voting right violations. In

1965 the voting rights act came along, this ended literacy tests for

voting. It also allowed federal agents to monitor registration.

These acts improved civil rights but many black Americans were still

dissatisfied, they were still a class B citizen. Tension continued

between the two races.

After the Second World War, it was still clear that black Americans

were still second class citizens. Truman tried to introduce some

changes but he faced opposition from his own party and many of his

ideas were dropped. In the early 50’s schools, only 16 states required

their schools to be integrated.

There were still problems with black Americans. The average income for

a black family was half the amount of a white family’s. This was

because blacks couldn’t get very good jobs e.g. fruit picking and car

washing. Third of the black Americans were living below the poverty

line. Black Americans still had unemployment, poor housing and poor

schools.

In 1963, Martin Luther King organised a campaign of marches and

demonstrations that would ensure maximum media coverage. These

demonstrations were broadcast across the USA and the world and many

Americans were horrified at the brutality. During the campaign Martin

Luther King was jailed, but the most important thing was that

television viewers were able to see the outrageous treatment meted out

to young demonstrations. Martin Luther King had a dream speech.

For many blacks Americans the new laws were not being introduced fast

enough. All the blacks wanted are to take what they thought was theirs

by right and by force if worst comes to worst.