Oklahoma Academic Standard 7. The student will analyze the causes and effects of significant domestic events and policies from 1945 to 1975.  

Objective 7.1  Analyze the major events, personalities, tactics and effects of the Civil Rights Movement. 

  C. Compare the viewpoints and the contributions of civil rights leaders and organizations linking them to events of the movement, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his I Have a Dream speech, the leadership of Malcolm X, the role of organizations such as the Black Panthers; describe the tactics used at different times, including civil disobedience, non-violent resistance, sit-ins, boycotts, marches, and voter registration drives. 

In a Nutshell

In order to achieve racial equality for African Americans, leaders and organizations with varying philosophies and strategies began to mobilize. This culminated in a wide array of acts of protest and civil disobedience aimed at bringing attention to the unjust conditions of African Americans in society, the economy, and politics. Students should be able to explain the significant impact of individual leaders, as well as the tactics of civil rights organizations during this period of social upheaval.

Teacher Action 

Student Action 

• Guide students in evaluating the impact of perspectives, civic virtues, democratic principles, constitutional rights, and human rights while exploring the many nonviolent strategies used to achieve Civil Rights.

• Provide students with opportunities to construct visual and/or multimedia presentations, using a variety of media forms to enhance understanding of the strategies and accomplishments of important individuals and groups during the Civil Rights Movement.  

• Compare the points of agreement and disagreement from reliable information and expert interpretations regarding the philosophies of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and various Civil Rights organizations.

• Actively listen, evaluate, and analyze the speaker’s message, asking questions while engaged in collaborative discussions and debates. 

Key Concepts 

Misconceptions 

• role of individual leadership to a political, social, and economic movement

• impact of organized efforts by ordinary citizens

• inspirational and motivational potential of the written and spoken word 

• Some students may not realize that many leaders of the Civil Rights Movement also engaged the public in awareness of other political and societal issues, such as the Vietnam War and economic conditions n America.

Instructional Resources