| Date | May 2017 | Marks available | 3 | Reference code | 17M.1.BP.TZ0.13 |
| Level | Both SL and HL | Paper | Paper 1 - first exams 2017 | Time zone | TZ0 |
| Command term | Why | Question number | 13 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
The sources and questions relate to Case Study 1: Civil rights movement in the United States (1954– 1965) – Nature and characteristics of discrimination: Segregation and education; Brown versus Board of Education decision (1954).
Source P
Michael Klarman, a professor of history, writing about the effect of the Supreme Court’s 1955 judgment, Brown II, in the academic book Brown v Board of Education and the Civil Rights Movement (2007). In Brown II, the Supreme Court decided on “gradualism”, that is, the gradual application of the Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v Board of Education (1954) to end school segregation.
Brown II was a clear victory for white southerners … The Court approved gradualism, imposed no deadlines for beginning or completing desegregation, issued vague guidelines, and entrusted the final decision to local judges. When informed of the decision, Florida legislators [law-makers] broke into cheers … A Mississippi politician celebrated the fact that a local Mississippi judge would decide when desegregation would be feasible [practical]. Southern law-makers commented that desegregation might be feasible in another fifty or one hundred years.
Black leaders were disappointed with the decision … A black journalist, John H. McCray, admitted that he “can’t find too much to cheer about”, and he criticized the Supreme Court for “seeking to do business” with diehard [determined] southern segregationists.
The sources and questions relate to Case Study 1: Civil rights movement in the United States (1954– 1965) – Nature and characteristics of discrimination: Segregation and education; Brown versus Board of Education decision (1954).
Source N
Photograph of protesters at a pro-segregation rally in Baltimore, 1954. The posters at the front of the photograph read: “We want our rights”; “We can’t fight alone. Join us now!”; “We can’t fight alone”.
Why, according to Source P, was the Supreme Court’s decision in Brown II (1955) a victory for white southerners but a disappointment for black leaders?
What does Source N suggest about the characteristics of opposition to desegregation?
Markscheme
- The Supreme Court approved gradualism.
- There were fears that desegregation may be applied inconsistently.
- It was believed by some law-makers that desegregation may be delayed for a substantial period.
- Black leaders believed that it indicated the Supreme Court’s willingness to engage with the wishes of southern segregationists.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. It is neither prescriptive nor exhaustive and no set answer is required. Award [1] for each relevant point up to a maximum of [3].
- There was peaceful opposition to desegregation.
- Some opponents of desegregation felt isolated.
- Women were involved in protests against desegregation.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. It is neither prescriptive nor exhaustive and no set answer is required. Award [1] for each relevant point up to a maximum of [2].
