An Examination of The Role of The Federal Government in The Civil Rights Movement

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s required a great deal of effort from numerous sources. The federal government being one, while contributing a significant amount of support and aid, did little to contribute to its success and more so towards its failings. Many of the policies and actions of the federal government did not solve certain issues regarding discrimination and caused more problems than they solved. The main sources of success for the movement came from peaceful protesters such as the Freedom Riders and Martin Luther King, The federal government greatly aided the Civil Rights Movement, but very few of its actions contributed to its success.

Many of the federal government’s aid to the Civil Rights Movement was disregarded or useless, however there were several contributions that assisted to the movement’s success. When the Freedom Riders were persecuted without intervention from the southern goverment, Washington sent federal troops to defend the blacks. This marked the government’s support of the movement. Another great success from the government was the passing of the 24″ Amendment. By eliminating poll taxes, blacks could then vote freely. This allowed both blacks and whites to step closer to racial equality.

However, many of the government’s policies and actions were successful, but had many repercussions and shortcomings. The federal government helped the beginning of education rights by allowing a black student to enroll in the University of Mississippi. After southem universities refused black admittance, thousands of federal troops arrived in Mississippi and enrolled the student in his first class. While this was fairly successful, the consequences of this federal action were two casualties, many injuries, and millions of dollars. Similarly, The Civil Rights Act of 1964 increased the government’s power to desegregate schools and public places and also prohibited discrimination in private facilities. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 also created the EEOC to help end labor discrimination. Despite this great progress, the act did not have a strong impact. Racial discrimination was still quite prominent in the country and poll taxes, literacy tests, and intimidation still kept blacks from voting. Another seemingly helpful policy was the Voting rights Act of 1965. Passed to rectify the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and acts of violence, this law banned literacy tests and set up voter registrars in the South. While this act was able to end blacks’ mistreatment, it was not an immediate change, racial problems still existed, and the law gave blacks non-consequential power. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 marked the end of the peaceful civil rights movement, and the start of a new period of violence.

Despite its efforts, the federal government’s aid in the Civil Rights Movement was unsuccessful and caused more problems. However, where the government failed, many others were able to succeed. The Freedom Riders were one of the leading groups in the movement and brought attention to it. The Freedom Riders were able to grasp the attention of the country and the support of the federal goverment. Along with these people, Martin Luther King Jr. contributed much to the success of the Civil Rights Movement. Through peaceful protests such as the March on Washington, and powerful speeches like “I Have a Dream”, MLK was able to influence America without invoking fear. Even those who were pro-segregation aided in the Civil Rights Movement’s success. “Bull” Conner, a devote segregationist, ordered a police attack on one of King’s peaceful protests, causing the acceleration of the creation and passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. White advocates for equal rights also assisted the movement. Many attempted to end white uneasiness and black apprehension through voter-registration drives. Even the radical Malcolm X facilitated the success of the movement with his eloquent speeches for black power and pride. All of these aided much more to the success of the Civil Rights Movement than the federal government.

The Civil Rights Movement received much assistance from many people and groups. However, not all of the help was successful and in fact often contributed to more difficulties and issues. The federal government, while deeply involved, was unable to fully assist in the movement’s success. The passing of vague laws, which were easily defied, was not enough to end discrimination in America. Instead, the mindsets of American’s needed to be rectified, and the government could not achieve this. While the government offered much help to the Civil Rights Movement, very few acts helped it succeed in totality.

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