Last updated: January 7, 2022
Lesson Plan
LBJ and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s
- Grade Level:
- High School: Ninth Grade through Twelfth Grade
- Subject:
- Social Studies
- Lesson Duration:
- 60 Minutes
- Common Core Standards:
- 9-10.RH.1, 9-10.RH.2, 11-12.RH.1, 11-12.RH.2, 11-12.RH.3, 11-12.RH.7
- State Standards:
- Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies: SS.17.D.9-12; SS.9.G.9-12; SS.28.A.9-12.
- Additional Standards:
- National Standards: D2.His.4.9-12; D2.His.12.9-12.
- Thinking Skills:
- Remembering: Recalling or recognizing information ideas, and principles. Understanding: Understand the main idea of material heard, viewed, or read. Interpret or summarize the ideas in own words. Analyzing: Break down a concept or idea into parts and show the relationships among the parts.
Essential Question
Who has the power and ability to create momentum for social and political change?
Objective
During this lesson plan students will identify important legislation passed by President Lyndon B. Johnson during the 1960's Civil Rights Movement. In addition, students will analyze primary sources to further understand the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, and President Johnson's interaction with the movement's leaders. Finally, students will determine the overall legacy of President Johnson's civil rights legislation.
Background
This lesson will focus on how communities demanded change and how Lyndon B. Johnson answered the demanded calls to end racial injustice.
The purpose of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a steppingstone to improving the lives of all Americans. To this day, the passing of the legislation provided groundbreaking transformation to the social fabric of the United States. This lesson plan will address the significant factor that change does not happen overnight. Through various activities, students will be encourgae to reflect and answer the essential question, who has the power and ability to create momentum for social and political change?
On November 22, 1963, Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as the 36th President of the United States of America upon the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Before serving as Vice President, Johnson served as a Congressman and Senator of Central Texas. However, becoming President in 1963 was not how he imagined. Nevertheless, Johnson vowed to do his very best. During the Let Us Continue speech, Johnson vowed to honor President Kennedy through the implementation of Kennedy’s legislative agenda and to create a better society for all Americans.
Early in 1963 President Kennedy addressed the nation with the urgency of the civil rights crisis. African Americans faced discrimination, segregation and inequality within their right to vote, the use of public facilities, education, housing and employment. The 13th amendment, 15th amendment, Civil Rights Act of 1866, Civil Rights Act of 1870, Civil Rights Act of 1875, and the Civil Rights Act of 1957 did not completely grant African Americans the righteous sense of freedom.
During the 1960’s the Civil Rights Movement gained the nation’s diverged attention to the problematic systematic and racial division within the country. Leaders such as John Lewis, James Farmer, Roy Wilkins, Dorothy Height, Medgar Evers, A. Philip Randolph and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led the African American community towards the ensured promise of progression and social justice. Serving as President during this critical time in American history was Lyndon B. Johnson.
Preparation
To prepare for this lesson, please review:
In addition, take a virtual tour of the Texas White House and complete virtual tour worksheet.
Materials
Utilize this worksheet to review and analyze "LBJ and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s? video.
Download Video Analysis Worksheet
Read the following entry from President Johnson's daily diary and analyze it. Document courtesy of LBJ Presidential Library.
Download President Johnson's Daily Diary Entry
Utilize this worksheet courtesy of National Archives to analyze President Johnson's daily diary entry from January 15, 1965.
Download Document Analysis Worksheet
Utilize this worksheet courtesy of National Archives to analyze President Johnson's phone conversation with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Download Sound Recording Analysis Worksheet
Lesson Hook/Preview
This lesson will focus on how communities demanded change and how Lyndon B. Johnson answered the demanded calls to end racial injustice. During this lesson, students will watch a video, analyze primary documents, and answer questions to explore the impact of President Johnson's civil rights legislation and the legacy of the Civil Rights Movment of the 1960s.
Procedure
Activity A: Video Analysis
#1. Show video "LBJ and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s" and ask students to take notes.
#2. After video, have students complete Video Analysis Worksheet.
* Educators can stop at Activity A. To further understand LBJ's legislative work during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, educators can continue with Activity B & C.
Activity B: Primary Document Analysis
1#. Have students read Lyndon B. Johnson's January 15, 1965 daily diary and analyze it by completing the Written Document Analysis Worksheet.
Activity C: Sound Recording Analysis
1#. Have students listen to the telephone conversation between LBJ and Martin Luther King Jr and analyze it by completing the Sound Recording Analysis Worksheet.
Vocabulary
Civil Rights: Civil rights are an essential component of democracy. They’re guarantees of equal social opportunities and protection under the law, regardless of race, religion, or other characteristics.
Bill: A draft of a law presented to a legislature for enactment.
Act: A law made by a group of legislators.
Assessment Materials
Reflection and DialogueStudents will reflect on lesson plan assignments and complete the following questions.
Individually or as a group, students will answer:
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What do we gain when we learn about the historical experiences within the fight for civil right?
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How would you describe the legacy of the Civil rights movement today? Are there any social movements today that relate to the issues of the 1960s?