What exam tips are there for Civil rights and race relations in the USA, 1850–2009? (2)

Focus on how these portrayals changed over time rather than just listing examples.

What exam tips are there for Civil rights and race relations in the USA, 1850–2009? (3)

Use specific examples from the specification to support your arguments.

What mistakes should I avoid in Civil rights and race relations in the USA, 1850–2009?

Describing the plot of a film or book without linking it to the historical portrayal of civil rights.

What are common errors in Civil rights and race relations in the USA, 1850–2009 exams? (2)

Failing to contextualize the media within the specific time period of its production.

Civil rights and race relations in the USA, 1850–2009

EDEXCEL

A-Level

This subtopic examines the changing portrayal of civil rights issues in the USA between 1850 and 2009 through the lens of fiction and film. It explores how literature and visual media have both reflected and influenced perceptions of race relations, including key works and portrayals from the mid-19th century to the early 21st century.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Topic Overview

This topic explores the struggle for African American civil rights from the aftermath of slavery through to the election of Barack Obama. It covers the legal, political, and social battles against segregation and discrimination, focusing on key events such as Reconstruction, Jim Crow laws, the Great Migration, the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s-60s, and the subsequent fight for equality in housing, education, and employment. Students will examine the roles of individuals like Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and grassroots organisations, as well as the impact of federal legislation and Supreme Court rulings.

Understanding this topic is crucial for grasping how systemic racism evolved and was challenged in the USA. It connects to broader themes of democracy, federalism, and social change, and provides insight into contemporary issues of racial inequality. The period 1850–2009 allows students to trace the long arc of civil rights, from the Dred Scott decision to the election of the first black president, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges.

Within the Edexcel A-Level specification, this topic is part of the 'In search of the American Dream' theme, which examines the tension between ideals and reality in US history. It requires students to analyse change and continuity, causation, and the significance of key events and individuals. Mastery of this topic will enable students to write sophisticated essays and source analyses, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of race relations in America.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Analysis of how literature (e.g., Uncle Tom's Cabin, Huckleberry Finn, Gone with the Wind, To Kill a Mockingbird, Beloved, The Help) shaped perceptions of race.
Analysis of how visual portrayals (paintings, photographs, lithographs, film, television) influenced and reflected race relations.
Evaluation of specific media examples: Birth of a Nation, In the Heat of the Night, Roots, Mississippi Burning, Malcolm X, The Wire.
Understanding the shift in portrayals from 1850 to 2009.
Ability to link fictional/filmic portrayals to the broader historical context of civil rights and race relations.

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Analysis of how literature (e.g., Uncle Tom's Cabin, Huckleberry Finn, Gone with the Wind, To Kill a Mockingbird, Beloved, The Help) shaped perceptions of race.
Analysis of how visual portrayals (paintings, photographs, lithographs, film, television) influenced and reflected race relations.
Evaluation of specific media examples: Birth of a Nation, In the Heat of the Night, Roots, Mississippi Burning, Malcolm X, The Wire.
Understanding the shift in portrayals from 1850 to 2009.
Ability to link fictional/filmic portrayals to the broader historical context of civil rights and race relations.

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Ensure you can link specific works of fiction or film to the historical context of the time they were produced.
💡Focus on how these portrayals changed over time rather than just listing examples.
💡Use specific examples from the specification to support your arguments.
💡Consider both the intent of the creator and the impact on the audience.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Describing the plot of a film or book without linking it to the historical portrayal of civil rights.
Failing to contextualize the media within the specific time period of its production.
Ignoring the influence of the media on public perception, focusing only on the content.
Treating all portrayals as equally significant without evaluating their impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Analyse

Evaluate

Assess

To what extent

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

Civil rights and race relations in the USA, 1850–2009

Topic Overview

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terminology

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in EDEXCEL A-Level History

Britain transformed, 1918–97

Germany, 1871–1990: united, divided and reunited

The USA, 1955–92: conformity and challenge

Rebellion and disorder under the Tudors, 1485–1603

Civil rights and race relations in the USA, 1850–2009

Topic Overview

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the main causes of the Civil Rights Movement?

How did the role of the federal government change during the Civil Rights Movement?

What was the difference between Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X?

Why was the Civil Rights Act of 1964 so significant?

What impact did the Black Power movement have on civil rights?

How did the civil rights movement change after 1965?

Key Terminology

Cultural Hegemony

Agency

Tokenism

Historical Revisionism

Intersectionality

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in EDEXCEL A-Level History

Britain transformed, 1918–97

Germany, 1871–1990: united, divided and reunited

The USA, 1955–92: conformity and challenge

Rebellion and disorder under the Tudors, 1485–1603