March on Washington

Definition

The March on Washington was a historic civil rights rally held in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963. It was a pivotal moment in the African American struggle for civil rights and a significant event in the broader Civil Rights Movement.

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 (SCLC), the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and the NAACP.
2. The march was attended by over 250,000 people, making it one of the largest civil rights demonstrations in American history.
3. The most famous speech delivered at the March on Washington was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech, in which he called for racial equality and an end to discrimination.
4. The March on Washington helped 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 African American struggle for civil rights and a significant event in the broader Civil Rights Movement.

Review Questions

• Describe the key goals and objectives of the March on Washington.
  • The primary goals of the March on Washington were to draw national attention to the ongoing struggle for civil rights and racial equality, and to call for the passage of comprehensive civil rights legislation. The march aimed to demonstrate the widespread support for these issues and to pressure the federal government to take action. Specifically, the organizers sought to end segregation, secure voting rights, and address economic inequalities faced by African Americans.
• Explain the significance of the March on Washington in the broader context of the Civil Rights Movement.
  • The March on Washington was a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement, as it brought together a diverse coalition of civil rights organizations and demonstrated the widespread support for the movement's goals. The march's success in mobilizing over 250,000 participants and the powerful speeches delivered, particularly Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech, helped to galvanize public support and build momentum for the passage of landmark civil rights legislation, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The March on Washington is widely regarded as a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement, as it showcased the power of nonviolent protest and helped to accelerate the push for racial justice and equality.
• Analyze the long-term impact of the March on Washington on the African American struggle for civil rights and the broader social and political landscape.
  • The March on Washington had a profound and lasting impact on the African American struggle for civil rights and the broader social and political landscape. The march's success in mobilizing a massive, peaceful demonstration and the powerful rhetoric and imagery it produced helped to shift public opinion and put immense pressure on the federal government to take action. The passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in the years following the march were direct results of this increased political pressure and the growing momentum of the Civil Rights Movement. Additionally, the March on Washington served as a model for future civil rights protests and demonstrations, inspiring similar large-scale, nonviolent gatherings that continued to advance the cause of racial justice and equality. The march's enduring legacy can be seen in its influence on subsequent social movements, such as the women's rights and LGBTQ+ rights movements, which have drawn inspiration from the March on Washington's successful strategies and tactics.

Related terms

Civil Rights Movement:

The African American civil rights movement was a decades-long struggle for racial equality and justice, with the goal of ending segregation and discrimination against Black Americans.

Nonviolent Resistance: A philosophy and strategy of achieving social and political change through nonviolent means, such as boycotts, sit-ins, and peaceful demonstrations.

Jim Crow Laws:

A collection of state and local laws that enforced racial segregation in the Southern United States after the end of Reconstruction until the 1960s.