Lesson 6: Civil disobedience and individual rights versus the general welfare
Activity 6.2: Cha-cha-changes...Civil rights in the 1960s
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is arguably the most famous civil rights leader in the United States. Though many other people were involved during the 1960s civil rights movement (Rosa Parks, Malcolm X and many, many more) Dr. King did work that will echo throughout history. His leadership, his “I have a dream” speech and his non-violent protest has helped bring the American political system to where it is today.
Within the history of the United States civil disobedience has changed how the American political system works. One could argue that the 1960s civil rights movement saw the fastest and most profound changes. For this activity you will be researching an aspect of the 1960s civil rights movement and applying your knowledge to questions about civil disobedience and changes in the American political system.
Benchmark 9.1.2.3.4:
Analyze how the following tools of civic engagement are used to influence the American political system: civil disobedience, initiative, referendum and recall.
Learning Target:
I can...evaluate how tools such as civil disobedience, initiative and recall have influenced the American political system.
Essential Question:
How does civil disobedience and other political tools influence the American political system?
To complete Activity 6.2 please follow the steps below:
STEP 1
Pick an act or decision to research from the following. You only need to pick 1:
The Supreme court decision: Brown vs Board of Education:
History of Brown vs Board of Education
Brown vs Board of education landmark Supreme court case
Primary document: Brown vs Board of education
The ratification of the 24th amendment
Wikipedia article about the 24th amendment. One of the best Wikipedia articles out there.
Transcript and explanation of the 24th amendment
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
Major features of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Primary document: Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1968
Civil Rights Act of 1968 from History.com
Primary document: Civil Rights Act of 1968
Student Choice: Any other act/decision/law/amendment that was ratified AFTER the ratification of the constitution and was implemented because of civil disobedience, referendum and/or recall. This must be approved by your teacher.
STEP 2
Using the links above to begin your research start researching your subject, expect to conduct research for 1 to 2 hours to really understand your subject matter. Be sure to take organized notes show connections to cause and effect. Think about what the event is, what caused it, how the event affected people at the time and how the event affects us today.
STEP 3
Answer the following questions in the ADD TEXT SUBMISSION BOX
After you finish researching you will be creating a cause and effect diagram (copy and paste template below.) You will also be answering some critical thinking questions after creating your cause and effect diagram. Please submit your diagram and responses to each question using the text submission box located at the bottom of this moodle page. Please answer with proper response construction and make sure to include your name properly on the assignment. Name, Course, Grade, Date.
Cause and effect diagram template:
Remember different events will have a different number of causes and effects, you will need to have at least 3 causes and 3 effects including the event itself. Think about the essential question when filling this out. Think of this as a timeline that connects all the pieces and looks at the effects after the event as well.
Name of event | cause or effect | Explanation of event (include dates if applicable) | Civil disobedience/reform connection? |
Your act/law/event | effect | This law was ratified by xxxxxx on xx/xx/xx. It allowed xxxxx to xxxxx. | This connects to civil disobedience because... |
1. In 1 to 2 paragraphs explain how events (thinking about civil disobedience, initiative and reform) that you researched changed the way the American political system works.
2. What other methods can you think of that could produce change in the American political system?
3. What rules would you like changed in the United States? Do you believe other people feel the same way? Would you break the law if you felt the law was unjust?