The Civil Rights Movement and it's Legacy

Introduction

The Civil Rights Movement was a pivotal period in American history, shaping the nation's laws, culture, and society. This WebQuest will guide students through an exploration of the events, leaders, and outcomes of the Civil Rights Movement, as well as its lasting effects on modern social justice movements.

Task

Students will work in groups to research different aspects of the Civil Rights Movement. Each group will be assigned a key event, individual, or legal case from the movement. Their task is to create an interactive timeline that includes multimedia elements (images, videos, audio clips) and detailed descriptions of the significance of each event or individual. The timeline will be shared with the class in an interactive presentation.

Process

Step 1: Divide into Groups

  • Groups will be assigned a specific focus:
    • Group 1: The Montgomery Bus Boycott
    • Group 2: The March on Washington
    • Group 3: Brown v. Board of Education
    • Group 4: The Freedom Riders
    • Group 5: Civil Rights Leaders (e.g., Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, etc.)

      Step 2: Conduct Research

    • Use a combination of textbooks, online resources, and primary sources (letters, speeches, court decisions) to gather information about your assigned event or individual.
    • Be sure to include the background, key figures involved, the challenges faced, and the outcomes or legacy of the event.

    • Step 3: Explore the Legacy

    • Research how the Civil Rights Movement has influenced contemporary movements such as Black Lives Matter, voting rights legislation, or ongoing racial equality campaigns.
    • Compare the strategies, rhetoric, and challenges of both the historical movement and modern efforts for equality.

    • Step 4: Create the Timeline

    • Using an online timeline tool (e.g., TimeToast, Prezi, or another interactive platform), create a timeline that highlights the key moments of the Civil Rights Movement relevant to your assigned topic.
    • Include at least 5 major events, court rulings, or actions for each group.
    • Add images, quotes, videos, or audio clips (e.g., MLK’s I Have a Dream speech) to enrich your timeline and make it more engaging.

    • Step 5: Present to the Class

    • Each group will present their timeline in a 10-15 minute presentation.
    • Be prepared to explain the historical significance of the events and draw connections between the Civil Rights Movement and current social justice issues.

    • 4. Resources

    • Books: “Eyes on the Prize: America’s Civil Rights Years, 1954-1965” by Juan Williams
    • Primary Sources:
      1. The "I Have a Dream" speech by Martin Luther King Jr.
      2. The text of Brown v. Board of Education ruling
      3. Interviews with Freedom Riders
    • Websites:
      1. The Civil Rights Movement on History.com
      2. The King Institute at Stanford University
      3. The Library of Congress Civil Rights History Digital Collection

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Evaluation

Students will be assessed on:

  • Research and Content (20 points): How thoroughly did the group research their topic? Was the information accurate and comprehensive?
  • Use of Multimedia (20 points): Did the timeline include engaging and relevant media (e.g., videos, photos, primary sources)?
  • Historical Analysis (20 points): Did the group effectively analyze the significance of the events and connect them to modern-day issues?
  • Presentation Skills (20 points): Was the presentation clear, well-organized, and engaging?
  • Teamwork (20 points): Did all group members contribute equally to the project?
Conclusion

By the end of this WebQuest, students will have gained a deeper understanding of the Civil Rights Movement, its key players, and its lasting impact on American society. They will also develop research and presentation skills, and learn how to critically analyze historical and modern movements for social justice.

Credits

This WebQuest was developed using a variety of reliable sources to ensure accuracy and engagement for students. The following resources were integral in creating this WebQuest on the Civil Rights Movement:

Interactive timeline tools used in this WebQuest: