key term - March on Washington

Definition

The March on Washington was a pivotal civil rights protest that took place in 1963, where over 250,000 people gathered in Washington, D.C. to demand racial equality and justice. It was a landmark event that helped galvanize the civil rights movement and led to the passage of landmark civil rights legislation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The March on Washington was organized by a coalition of civil rights organizations, including the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and the NAACP.
2. The march was a culmination of years of activism and protest, including the Montgomery bus boycott, the Birmingham campaign, and the Freedom Rides.
3. The most famous speech delivered at the March on Washington was Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech, which called for racial equality and justice.
4. The March on Washington helped to build momentum for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
5. The March on Washington is considered a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, as it brought national attention to the struggle for racial equality and helped to galvanize support for civil rights legislation.

Review Questions

• Explain how the March on Washington was a key event in the civil rights movement.
  • The March on Washington was a seminal event in the civil rights movement. It brought together over 250,000 people from across the country to demand racial equality and justice, and it helped to build momentum for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The march was a culmination of years of activism and protest, and it helped to raise national awareness of the struggle for racial equality. The most famous speech delivered at the march, Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech, became a rallying cry for the civil rights movement and helped to inspire further action and activism.
• Describe how the March on Washington influenced the government's approach to civil rights change.
  • The March on Washington had a significant impact on the government's approach to civil rights change. The massive turnout and the powerful speeches delivered at the march, particularly Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech, helped to build public support for civil rights legislation. This public pressure, combined with the ongoing civil rights activism and protests, ultimately led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The March on Washington demonstrated the power of nonviolent protest and civil disobedience in bringing about meaningful change, and it helped to shape the government's response to the civil rights movement.
• Evaluate the long-term impact of the March on Washington on the civil rights movement and the broader struggle for racial equality in the United States.
  • The March on Washington had a profound and lasting impact on the civil rights movement and the broader struggle for racial equality in the United States. The march was a powerful demonstration of the power of nonviolent protest and civil disobedience, and it helped to galvanize support for civil rights legislation. The passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, was a direct result of the momentum and public pressure generated by the march. Beyond this, the March on Washington helped to inspire and empower future generations of civil rights activists, and it remains a symbol of the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality in the United States. The march's legacy can be seen in the continued efforts to address systemic racism and inequality, and in the enduring impact of the 'I Have a Dream' speech, which continues to inspire and motivate people around the world.

Related terms

Civil Rights Movement:

A broad social movement in the United States that aimed to end racial discrimination and secure legal rights and equal opportunities for Black Americans.

Non-Violent Resistance: A form of civil disobedience and nonviolent action that emphasizes nonviolent methods of protest and persuasion to achieve political and social change.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964: A landmark piece of civil rights legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, and required equal access to public facilities and employment.