March on Washington

Definition

The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, held on August 28, 1963, was a pivotal civil rights demonstration where over 250,000 people gathered in Washington, D.C. to advocate for economic justice and racial equality. This event is most famously known for Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic 'I Have a Dream' speech, which called for an end to racism and emphasized the importance of civil rights. The march highlighted the ongoing struggles against racial discrimination and became a landmark moment in the civil rights movement, pushing for significant legislative changes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The March on Washington was organized by a coalition of civil rights groups, including the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
2. The march was one of the largest rallies for human rights in United States history, with participants from diverse backgrounds and regions coming together to support civil rights.
3. In addition to Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech, other prominent leaders like John Lewis and Mahalia Jackson also spoke at the event, emphasizing the urgent need for social justice.
4. The March on Washington played a crucial role in raising public awareness of the civil rights struggle and helped garner national support for subsequent legislation.
5. The momentum created by this march contributed significantly to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Review Questions

• How did the March on Washington impact public perception of racial discrimination in America during the 1960s?
  • The March on Washington significantly changed public perception by bringing together a massive crowd that showcased widespread support for civil rights. The event highlighted the urgent need for change regarding racial discrimination, making it difficult for lawmakers and citizens to ignore the plight of African Americans. The powerful speeches delivered, especially Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream,' resonated deeply with many Americans and encouraged increased activism across the country.
• Discuss how the goals of the March on Washington were reflected in subsequent legislation passed during the civil rights movement.
  • The goals of the March on Washington were directly reflected in key pieces of legislation like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These laws aimed to eliminate legal discrimination based on race and ensure voting rights for African Americans. The march itself galvanized public support, creating pressure on legislators to take action against systemic racism and inequality that had been persistent throughout American history.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the March on Washington on future social movements advocating for racial equality and justice.
  • The long-term effects of the March on Washington can be seen in how it set a precedent for future social movements advocating for racial equality and justice. It demonstrated the power of mass mobilization and peaceful protest, inspiring later movements such as Black Lives Matter. The march's emphasis on economic justice alongside civil rights broadened the agenda for social equity, influencing not only race-related issues but also labor rights and economic reforms in subsequent years.

Related terms

Civil Rights Act of 1964: A landmark piece of federal legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, and aimed to end segregation in public places.

Martin Luther King Jr.: A prominent leader in the American civil rights movement who advocated for nonviolent protest against racial injustice and is best known for his role in the March on Washington.

Civil Rights Movement: A decades-long movement aimed at ending racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans in the United States, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s.