Bell Ringers

Bell Ringer: The Voting Rights Act and African Americans in Congress

The Formation of the Congressional Black Caucus

Matthew Wasniewski and Farar Elliott historians for the House of Representatives talked about the impact that the 1965 Voting Rights Act had on Black representation in Congress. They also discussed the formation and purpose of the Black Congressional Caucus in 1971.

Description

Matthew Wasniewski and Farar Elliott historians for the House of Representatives talked about the impact that the 1965 Voting Rights Act had on Black representation in Congress. They also discussed the formation and purpose of the Black Congressional Caucus in 1971.

Bell Ringer Assignment

  • In late 1950s, how many African American members of Congress were there?
  • How did the number of African American members of Congress change by the mid-1970s?
  • How did the Voting Rights Act of 1965 impact who was elected to Congress?
  • What was the purpose of the Congressional Black Caucus?
  • What issues has the Congressional Black Caucus supported?

Additional Resources

Participants

    Vocabulary

    • 1965 Voting Rights Act
    • Andrew Young
    • Apartheid
    • Barbara Jordan
    • Caucus
    • Congressional Black Caucus
    • House Of Representatives
    • Reconstruction
    • Shirley Chisholm
    • Voter Registration
    • Voting Bloc

    Topics

    Legislative BranchU.S. History

    Grades

    Middle SchoolHigh SchoolUniversity