3.2 The founding of the NAACP and other civil rights organizations
2 min read•july 22, 2024
The early 1900s saw a surge in civil rights organizations like the , founded to combat racial discrimination and violence. These groups emerged in response to persistent lynchings, segregation, and disenfranchisement of African Americans, as well as the failure of Reconstruction-era civil rights legislation.
The NAACP and used , , and to fight for equality. They faced fierce resistance but raised awareness, won some legal victories, and laid the groundwork for future civil rights movements, despite slow progress in many areas.
The Founding of the NAACP and Other Civil Rights Organizations
Origins of civil rights organizations
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- Persistent racial discrimination and violence against African Americans
- Lynchings, segregation, and disenfranchisement perpetuated systemic oppression
- Lack of legal protection and equal rights under the law for African Americans
- Failure of Reconstruction-era civil rights legislation
- Supreme Court decisions () upholding "separate but equal" doctrine enabled legalized segregation
- Rise of African American intellectuals and activists
- , , and others advocating for change through writings, speeches, and organizing
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- Violent attacks on African American community in Springfield, Illinois by white mobs
- Highlighted the need for a national organization to combat racism and protect black lives
Strategies of civil rights groups
- NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People)
- Founded in 1909 by a diverse group of activists, including W.E.B. Du Bois
- Goals: Ensure political, educational, social, and economic equality for African Americans
- Strategies:
- Legal challenges to discriminatory laws and practices
- Lobbying elected officials for legislative change
- Public education campaigns to raise awareness
- Mobilization of African American communities for collective action
- Major campaigns:
- Push for
- Desegregation of public facilities (schools, transportation, housing)
- Securing and protecting voting rights for African Americans
- National Urban League
- Founded in 1910 to promote economic empowerment and social welfare for African Americans
- Focused on job training, employment opportunities, and community development programs
- (NAACP magazine)
- Edited by W.E.B. Du Bois
- Used as a platform to expose racial injustice and advocate for civil rights
- Published articles, essays, poetry, and artwork by African American writers and artists
Impact of early rights movements
- Successes
- Raised public awareness about racial injustice and discrimination faced by African Americans
- Won several important legal victories () challenging housing segregation
- Laid the groundwork for future civil rights movements by establishing organizing strategies and networks
- Limitations
- Faced resistance from white supremacist groups () and that entrenched racial oppression
- Limited success in passing federal anti-lynching legislation despite repeated efforts
- Slow progress in desegregating public facilities and securing voting rights due to massive resistance
- Internal debates over strategies (Booker T. Washington's vs. W.E.B. Du Bois' )
Key Terms to Review (16)
Accommodationism: Accommodationism is an approach within the African American civil rights movement that advocates for adapting to and working within existing social and political systems rather than directly confronting or challenging them. This strategy emphasizes gradual change, compromise, and integration into the broader society, aiming to achieve equality through cooperative means rather than through confrontation.
Buchanan v. Warley: Buchanan v. Warley was a landmark Supreme Court case decided in 1917 that ruled against racially restrictive housing ordinances, stating that such laws violated the Fourteenth Amendment's guarantee of equal protection under the law. This case is crucial because it challenged discriminatory practices in housing, setting a precedent for future civil rights efforts and highlighting the systemic racism that fueled racial violence and segregation during this time.
Community mobilization: Community mobilization refers to the process of bringing together individuals and groups to take collective action toward a common goal, often in response to social, economic, or political issues. This strategy involves raising awareness, building leadership, and fostering collaboration among community members, which is essential for promoting change and achieving civil rights objectives.
Confrontational Activism: Confrontational activism refers to a direct and often aggressive approach to social and political change, where activists challenge established systems and practices in a bid to draw attention to injustices. This method is characterized by its willingness to provoke, disrupt, and confront authorities or institutions that uphold discrimination and inequality, particularly as seen in movements for civil rights. This style of activism was pivotal in galvanizing support and mobilizing communities to demand systemic change during crucial historical moments.
Federal anti-lynching legislation: Federal anti-lynching legislation refers to proposed laws aimed at making lynching a federal crime in the United States, targeting the systemic violence and racial terror inflicted primarily upon African Americans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These legislative efforts were part of a broader civil rights movement response to rampant racial violence and were crucial for organizations advocating for racial equality, such as the NAACP, which sought to eradicate lynching and protect African American lives through federal intervention.
Ida B. Wells: Ida B. Wells was a prominent African American journalist, activist, and suffragist born in 1862 who is best known for her anti-lynching campaign and her fight for civil rights. She used her investigative journalism skills to expose the brutal realities of racial violence and injustice in the post-Reconstruction South, becoming an important figure in the struggle against lynching and for social justice. Her work laid the groundwork for later civil rights movements, particularly through her involvement in founding organizations that sought to promote equality and address racial issues.
Jim Crow Laws: Jim Crow laws were state and local statutes enacted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that enforced racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans in the Southern United States. These laws created a system of institutionalized racism, shaping various aspects of daily life, including education, transportation, and public accommodations.
KKK: The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) is a white supremacist hate group that was founded in the United States in the aftermath of the Civil War. This organization is notorious for its violent acts of racism, targeting African Americans and other minority groups, as well as promoting nativism and anti-immigrant sentiments. The Klan has evolved through several phases, but its core mission has been to maintain white supremacy and resist civil rights advancements, often clashing with civil rights organizations like the NAACP.
Legal Challenges: Legal challenges refer to disputes or issues brought before a court regarding the interpretation or enforcement of laws. In the context of civil rights organizations, these challenges are crucial as they serve as a means to combat discrimination, unjust laws, and systemic inequalities faced by marginalized communities. Legal challenges often become a strategy for organizations like the NAACP to fight for justice and equality, highlighting the significance of the judicial system in advancing civil rights.
Lobbying: Lobbying is the act of influencing government officials and policymakers to enact legislation or policies that favor a particular group or cause. This practice is often carried out by individuals or organizations, known as lobbyists, who seek to sway decision-makers through various means, such as providing information, persuasive arguments, or campaign contributions. Lobbying plays a critical role in shaping laws and regulations, particularly in relation to civil rights and social justice efforts.
NAACP: The NAACP, or the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, is a civil rights organization founded in 1909 to fight for racial equality and eliminate discrimination against African Americans. The organization played a crucial role in challenging Jim Crow laws, advocating for civil rights legislation, and addressing issues such as lynching, disenfranchisement, and segregation.
National Urban League: The National Urban League is a historic civil rights organization founded in 1910, aimed at improving the social and economic conditions of African Americans in urban areas. Its mission focuses on economic empowerment, educational opportunities, and equal access to jobs, all of which connect deeply to the broader struggles against racial violence, the founding of other civil rights organizations, the hardships of the Great Depression, and the ongoing urban crisis faced by African Americans.
Plessy v. Ferguson: Plessy v. Ferguson was a landmark 1896 Supreme Court case that upheld racial segregation under the doctrine of 'separate but equal.' This ruling legitimized Jim Crow laws and reinforced systemic discrimination against African Americans, impacting various aspects of civil rights and social justice in America.
Springfield Race Riot of 1908: The Springfield Race Riot of 1908 was a violent conflict that erupted in Springfield, Illinois, stemming from racial tensions and false accusations against African Americans. This riot resulted in the deaths of several individuals, significant property damage, and highlighted the pervasive racism and social injustice faced by Black communities in the early 20th century. The riot served as a catalyst for the founding of the NAACP and other civil rights organizations, as it exposed the urgent need for advocacy and change in the treatment of African Americans.
The Crisis: The Crisis was a significant African American publication that served as the official magazine of the NAACP, founded in 1910. It aimed to address and articulate the struggles, hopes, and aspirations of African Americans during a time of severe racial discrimination and violence, making it a crucial platform for promoting civil rights and cultural expression.
W.E.B. Du Bois: W.E.B. Du Bois was a prominent African American scholar, civil rights activist, and co-founder of the NAACP, known for his advocacy for political and social equality for African Americans. His work challenged the prevailing racial attitudes of his time and addressed issues like segregation, disenfranchisement, and economic disparities.