Discussion: The significance of the federal government in its three guises from the late 1950s to the early 1970s

Professor Tony Badger, Professor Joe Street and Professor Brian Ward discuss the African-American Civil Rights movement and examine different ways we might interpret the significance of key individuals, groups, institutions and events that played a role in its development and progress.

Starting with the actions of the Supreme Court especially the Brown Decision and the Montgomery Bus Boycott this film explores the role of the branches of the US Federal Government in helping or hindering the Civil Rights Movement and steps towards equality. The relationship, as well as, the actions of the Supreme Court and the Executive including Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon are also discussed.