In the Civil Rights Era (1945-1972), students in grades 6-8 will explore the transformative period in Texas history when African Americans and Latinos fought for equality, justice, and civil rights. The years after World War II brought rapid social and political change to Texas. Still, while many Texans benefited from post-war opportunities, others were left to battle against the discriminatory laws that limited their freedoms.

Following World War II, Texas experienced significant demographic shifts as rural populations moved to urban areas, fueled by suburban growth and the promise of higher education through the GI Bill. Yet, for many African Americans and Latinos, segregation and inequality remained the norm. Jim Crow laws restricted access to education, voting, and public spaces, perpetuating poverty and denying true equality. Segregation was widespread in schools, neighborhoods, churches, hospitals, and cemeteries.

The Civil Rights Movement in Texas, fueled by returning veterans and local activism, aimed to dismantle these injustices. Black neighborhoods became activism centers, and local leaders such as Maceo Smith, Carter Wesley, William Durham, and Lulu White worked alongside national figures like Thurgood Marshall and Charles Hamilton Houston to challenge segregation and push for civil rights. The NAACP and other local organizations partnered with churches and community leaders to lead the fight for change.

Throughout this era, a robust network of newspapers written by and for Black Texans helped rally citizens and keep the public informed about the fight for equality. Texas’s civil rights leaders paved the way for legal victories and social progress, helping to end segregation and bring about greater voting rights and educational opportunities for all Texans.

Aligned with US History curriculum standards for grades 6-8, this book provides an engaging and comprehensive look at the Civil Rights Movement in Texas. Through detailed narratives, historical accounts, and illustrations, students will gain a deeper understanding of the struggles for freedom, equality, and justice in Texas and how these efforts shaped the state's future.