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27 Dec 2025
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Challenges Faced by the Civil Rights Movement in the USA for Higher History Essay
Mirrin Bowden
@mirrinbowden_
1 / 3
The Ku Klux Klan's Reign of Terror
The Ku Klux Klan represented one of the most vicious obstacles to civil rights progress. They didn't just spread hateful words - they backed up their racism with brutal violence, including lynchings that terrorised Black communities across the South.
What made the KKK so dangerous wasn't just their violence, but their infiltration of power structures. Many policemen, judges, and politicians were actually KKK members themselves, which meant there was literally no one to stop their abuse of Black Americans.
As historian David M Chalmers noted, "They could do what they wanted because no one held the southern states to account." This created a terrifying situation where the very people meant to protect citizens were often the ones attacking them.
Key Point: The KKK's power came from having members in positions of authority, making them almost untouchable in their reign of terror.
Legal Barriers and Jim Crow Laws
The "separate but equal" doctrine became a legal weapon against Black Americans, allowing segregation in every aspect of daily life. Schools, churches, buses, restaurants - everything was divided by race, and the facilities for Black people were never actually equal.
Jim Crow laws gave states the power to create their own discriminatory rules. South Carolina even banned Black and white textile workers from using the same doorways - that's how petty and comprehensive these laws were.
When President Wilson called segregation a "benefit" to Black people in 1919, it showed how deeply racism was embedded in the highest levels of government. These weren't just local prejudices - they were official government policy.
The Great Migration saw 22% of the South's Black population flee north by 1940, but sadly, they often found that prejudice followed them wherever they went.
Critical Insight: Legal segregation wasn't just about separate facilities - it was a systematic way to maintain white supremacy through official channels.
Political Powerlessness and Northern Realities
Lack of political influence created a vicious cycle for Black Americans. Without voting rights, they couldn't elect representatives who would challenge discriminatory laws, and without political power, they couldn't secure voting rights.
Literacy tests were designed to be impossible to pass, effectively barring Black people from voting whilst maintaining a pretence of fairness. These weren't real tests of reading ability - they were deliberate barriers to political participation.
However, the situation wasn't identical everywhere. In the North, Black Americans faced fewer Jim Crow restrictions and could participate more fully in political life, though they still encountered significant popular prejudice and discrimination.
The evidence suggests that whilst all these factors created serious obstacles, the activities of the KKK posed the greatest threat to civil rights progress. Their combination of violence, terror, and infiltration of authority structures made them uniquely dangerous in blocking any meaningful change.
Final Thought: Understanding these interconnected obstacles helps explain why the civil rights movement took so long to achieve meaningful progress - it wasn't fighting just one enemy, but an entire system designed to maintain inequality.
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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
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THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Challenges Faced by the Civil Rights Movement in the USA for Higher History Essay
Mirrin Bowden
@mirrinbowden_
The fight for civil rights in America up to 1947 was riddled with massive obstacles that kept Black Americans from achieving equality. Despite the 14th Amendment outlawing racial discrimination, various barriers - from violent hate groups to legal loopholes -... Show more
The Ku Klux Klan's Reign of Terror
The Ku Klux Klan represented one of the most vicious obstacles to civil rights progress. They didn't just spread hateful words - they backed up their racism with brutal violence, including lynchings that terrorised Black communities across the South.
What made the KKK so dangerous wasn't just their violence, but their infiltration of power structures. Many policemen, judges, and politicians were actually KKK members themselves, which meant there was literally no one to stop their abuse of Black Americans.
As historian David M Chalmers noted, "They could do what they wanted because no one held the southern states to account." This created a terrifying situation where the very people meant to protect citizens were often the ones attacking them.
Key Point: The KKK's power came from having members in positions of authority, making them almost untouchable in their reign of terror.
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Legal Barriers and Jim Crow Laws
The "separate but equal" doctrine became a legal weapon against Black Americans, allowing segregation in every aspect of daily life. Schools, churches, buses, restaurants - everything was divided by race, and the facilities for Black people were never actually equal.
Jim Crow laws gave states the power to create their own discriminatory rules. South Carolina even banned Black and white textile workers from using the same doorways - that's how petty and comprehensive these laws were.
When President Wilson called segregation a "benefit" to Black people in 1919, it showed how deeply racism was embedded in the highest levels of government. These weren't just local prejudices - they were official government policy.
The Great Migration saw 22% of the South's Black population flee north by 1940, but sadly, they often found that prejudice followed them wherever they went.
Critical Insight: Legal segregation wasn't just about separate facilities - it was a systematic way to maintain white supremacy through official channels.
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Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Political Powerlessness and Northern Realities
Lack of political influence created a vicious cycle for Black Americans. Without voting rights, they couldn't elect representatives who would challenge discriminatory laws, and without political power, they couldn't secure voting rights.
Literacy tests were designed to be impossible to pass, effectively barring Black people from voting whilst maintaining a pretence of fairness. These weren't real tests of reading ability - they were deliberate barriers to political participation.
However, the situation wasn't identical everywhere. In the North, Black Americans faced fewer Jim Crow restrictions and could participate more fully in political life, though they still encountered significant popular prejudice and discrimination.
The evidence suggests that whilst all these factors created serious obstacles, the activities of the KKK posed the greatest threat to civil rights progress. Their combination of violence, terror, and infiltration of authority structures made them uniquely dangerous in blocking any meaningful change.
Final Thought: Understanding these interconnected obstacles helps explain why the civil rights movement took so long to achieve meaningful progress - it wasn't fighting just one enemy, but an entire system designed to maintain inequality.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
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Is Knowunity really free of charge?
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
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Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user