How Did The March On Washington Impact The Civil Rights Movement

Good morning/Good afternoon, today I am here to talk about an event that shaped history. The March on Washington, a protest for equality in 1963, significantly impacted the American Civil Rights movement by raising awareness and empowering citizens to fight for their freedom.

FQ1:
After the Civil War, formerly enslaved African-Americans hoped to join the larger society as full and equal citizens. Although they were liberated from slavery, by the 1900 they were living in a segregated society and were condemned to second-class citizenship due to the newly found 'Jim Crow Laws' (2). The Jim Crow Laws segregated the African Americans from the broader society in many areas including in courts and schools(4). In 1945, the civil rights movement started to take shape across America (8). Some described the civil rights movement as a 'Mass protest movement against racial segregation and discrimination in the Southern United States that came to national prominence during the mid-1950s.' (3). Civil rights activists used nonviolent protest and civil disobedience to bring about change and many people risked their lives in the fight for freedom and equality (4). The March on Washington was one of many protests that contributed to the civil rights movement.

FQ2.
Not only was it a peaceful day of speeches, songs & prayers, it was a day that inspired millions to fight for their freedom and civil rights. The day, organised by civil rights groups, religious institutes and labour unions brought awareness to racial oppression and was symbolic of hope (5). This event is where Martin Luther King's famous 'I have a dream' speech was performed. By linking racial oppression and idealism, the speech brought awareness to the civil rights movement and consequently brought about the passage of the civil rights act of 1964