The World of the Play
The Civil Rights Movement
President Harry S. Truman stand on civil rights became an important issue in his 1948 reelection campaign. In 1946, African-American civil rights groups pushed for Truman to act against segregation and discrimination, for example, lynching in the South and denying African Americans the right to vote. In 1948, Truman banned racial discrimination in the military and in federal jobs. In response to this ban, Southern Democrats formed their own party – a party that supported racial segregation but despite these obstacles, Truman went on to win another term in office as President.
Near the time that Driving Miss Daisy begins, African Americans began a more proactive movement to end discrimination. For example, during the 1950s, the Supreme Court ordered the desegregation of schools as well as transportation systems, and President Dwight Eisenhower signed the 1957 Civil Rights Act, which made it a federal crime to stop a qualified person from voting.
The Civil Rights Movement
President Harry S. Truman stand on civil rights became an important issue in his 1948 reelection campaign. In 1946, African-American civil rights groups pushed for Truman to act against segregation and discrimination, for example, lynching in the South and denying African Americans the right to vote. In 1948, Truman banned racial discrimination in the military and in federal jobs. In response to this ban, Southern Democrats formed their own party – a party that supported racial segregation but despite these obstacles, Truman went on to win another term in office as President.
Near the time that Driving Miss Daisy begins, African Americans began a more proactive movement to end discrimination. For example, during the 1950s, the Supreme Court ordered the desegregation of schools as well as transportation systems, and President Dwight Eisenhower signed the 1957 Civil Rights Act, which made it a federal crime to stop a qualified person from voting.
