0 6 Which of the following brought more change to American society after 1950: • campaigns for civil rights and equality • the actions of Presidents Kennedy and Johnson? Explain your answer with reference to both bullet points.
Level
GCSE
Year Examined
2020
Topic
America, 1920-1973 Opportunity and Inequality
👑Complete Model Essay
0 6 Which of the following brought more change to American society after 1950: • campaigns for civil rights and equality • the actions of Presidents Kennedy and Johnson? Explain your answer with reference to both bullet points.
Essay Plan: Which brought more change to American Society after 1950: Civil Rights Campaigns or the Actions of Kennedy & Johnson?
Introduction
Following World War II, American society underwent a period of significant transformation. The burgeoning Civil Rights Movement challenged deeply ingrained racial segregation and discrimination, while the Cold War shaped both domestic and foreign policy. This essay will examine the relative impact of the Civil Rights Movement and the actions of Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson on American society after 1950. Ultimately, while both contributed to social change, it was the unwavering activism and grassroots campaigns of the Civil Rights Movement that served as the primary catalyst. This essay will argue that the movement created the moral and political pressure that forced political leaders, including Kennedy and Johnson, to address the inequalities within American society.
Body Paragraph 1: The Impact of the Civil Rights Movement
The Civil Rights Movement, through its diverse strategies and unwavering commitment, generated a moral and political force that was impossible to ignore, laying the groundwork for significant societal shifts. The Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-56), sparked by Rosa Parks's courageous act of defiance, demonstrated the power of nonviolent direct action. It exposed the injustices of segregation on a national scale and set a precedent for future campaigns. The March on Washington (1963), a pivotal event that drew over 250,000 people, galvanized public support for civil rights. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, delivered from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, articulated the movement's goals and inspired millions. Freedom Summer (1964), a voter registration drive in Mississippi, revealed the brutal realities of segregation in the Deep South. The violence and intimidation faced by activists, many of whom were young volunteers, shocked the nation and spurred calls for federal intervention.
Body Paragraph 2: The Role of Presidents Kennedy and Johnson
While initially hesitant to fully embrace the Civil Rights Movement, Presidents Kennedy and Johnson were ultimately compelled to act, driven by a combination of political expediency and moral obligation. Kennedy, during the early years of his presidency, prioritized Cold War concerns and feared alienating Southern Democrats who opposed civil rights legislation. However, the events of the Birmingham Protests in 1963, where peaceful demonstrators, including children, were met with police brutality, forced a shift in his stance. The images of violence, broadcast on national television, shocked the nation's conscience. Kennedy, recognizing the moral imperative and the growing public pressure, delivered a televised address to the nation, expressing his support for civil rights and proposing landmark legislation. Following Kennedy's assassination in 1963, Lyndon B. Johnson, capitalizing on national sentiment and his own political skills, shepherded the Civil Rights Act of 1964 through Congress. This landmark legislation outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Johnson went further by signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote.
Body Paragraph 3: The Interplay of Activism and Presidential Action
The actions of Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, while significant, were inextricably linked to the efforts of the Civil Rights Movement. It was the movement that created the political climate where presidential action became not only possible but necessary. The movement's strategic use of nonviolent resistance, coupled with its ability to garner media attention, resulted in a dramatic shift in public opinion. Images of peaceful protesters being attacked with fire hoses and police dogs sparked outrage and sympathy nationwide, forcing elected officials to confront the issue of racial injustice. Furthermore, the timing of Kennedy and Johnson's actions coincided with pivotal moments in the movement, suggesting a responsiveness to public sentiment. Kennedy's proposal for civil rights legislation followed the violence in Birmingham, while Johnson's success in passing both the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act was undoubtedly influenced by the momentum generated by the March on Washington and the Freedom Summer campaign.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Presidents Kennedy and Johnson played significant roles in enacting groundbreaking civil rights legislation, it was the unwavering activism of the Civil Rights Movement that served as the primary catalyst for social change. The movement's ability to mobilize public opinion, expose the injustices of segregation, and create a moral imperative for action proved essential in compelling political leaders to address the issue of racial inequality. The legacy of the Civil Rights Movement continues to inspire activism and fight for equality today, demonstrating the power of grassroots movements in driving societal transformation.
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Essay Plan: Which brought more change to American Society after 1950: Civil Rights Campaigns or the Actions of Kennedy & Johnson?
Introduction
Briefly outline the context: Post-WWII America, burgeoning Civil Rights Movement, Cold War tensions.
Thesis statement: While both the Civil Rights Movement and the actions of Presidents Kennedy and Johnson contributed to social change, the unwavering activism and grassroots campaigns of the Civil Rights Movement were the primary catalyst, forcing political leaders to address the deeply ingrained inequalities within American society.
Body Paragraph 1: The Impact of the Civil Rights Movement
Topic Sentence: The Civil Rights Movement, through its diverse strategies and unwavering commitment, generated a moral and political force that was impossible to ignore, laying the groundwork for significant societal shifts.
Example 1: Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-56): Highlighting the power of nonviolent direct action, it exposed segregation's injustices, attracting national attention and setting a precedent for future campaigns.
Example 2: The March on Washington (1963): This iconic event, featuring Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, galvanized public support and pressured the federal government to act.
Example 3: Freedom Summer (1964): This voter registration drive in Mississippi, met with violence and intimidation, exposed the brutal realities of segregation and the need for federal intervention.
Link: These campaigns, alongside countless others, built public pressure and revealed the urgency of addressing racial injustice, forcing politicians to respond.
Body Paragraph 2: The Role of Presidents Kennedy and Johnson
Topic Sentence: While initially hesitant, Kennedy and Johnson were ultimately compelled to act on civil rights, driven by a combination of political expediency and moral obligation.
Example 1: Kennedy's initial reluctance: Feared alienating Southern Democrats; focused on Cold War issues.
Example 2: Birmingham Protests (1963) and Kennedy's Shift: The violence against peaceful protesters, broadcast nationally, forced Kennedy to publicly support civil rights and propose legislation.
Example 3: Johnson and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 & Voting Rights Act of 1965: Capitalized on national sentiment after Kennedy's assassination to pass landmark legislation, albeit with political maneuvering.
Link: While both presidents played significant roles in enacting legislation, their actions were largely reactions to the pressure created by the Civil Rights Movement.
Body Paragraph 3: The Interplay of Activism and Presidential Action
Topic Sentence: The actions of Kennedy and Johnson were inextricably linked to the efforts of the Civil Rights Movement. It was the movement that created the political climate where presidential action became not only possible but necessary.
Example 1: Public Opinion Shift: The movement's use of media and nonviolent resistance garnered public sympathy, putting pressure on elected officials.
Example 2: The Importance of Timing: Kennedy and Johnson's actions coincided with key moments in the movement, demonstrating their responsiveness to public sentiment.
Link: Both factors worked in combination. The movement provided the moral imperative and political pressure, while Kennedy and Johnson utilized their political capital to enact change.
Conclusion
Restate Thesis: While Kennedy and Johnson played crucial roles in legislative progress, the Civil Rights Movement was the driving force behind social change. Its relentless activism and ability to mobilize public opinion created the necessary conditions for political leaders to act.
Broader Significance: The legacy of the Civil Rights Movement continues to inspire activism and fight for equality today, demonstrating the power of grassroots movements in driving societal transformation.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
The Interplay of Factors in Social Change
Both factors worked in combination to cause change in society. The campaigns groups generated widespread publicity for their causes and this created pressure on politicians and the law making bodies.
Presidents were motivated by the need to win elections and would not have made changes if it risked alienating voters.